Summary & Overview
CPT 82930: Gastric Acid Measurement, Chemical or pH Testing
CPT code 82930 represents measurement of gastric acid in a gastric specimen by chemical testing, pH meter measurement, or both. This quantitative gastric analysis code is used when a laboratory analyst measures total acid from each specimen; when testing follows stimulation, fractional specimens collected over a 1 to 1.5 hour period are measured and billed per unit. The code matters nationally because gastric acid analysis informs diagnosis and management of acid-related disorders and informs downstream care decisions.
Key payers in the national context include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for gastric acid testing, typical sites of service, and which payer populations commonly cover such diagnostic laboratory services. The publication summarizes common modifier usage and contrasts billing considerations across major payers where relevant. It also provides operational benchmarks, coding guidance, and policy updates that affect laboratory billing for gastric analysis.
This summary equips clinical leaders, lab managers, and billing professionals with the essential information to understand when CPT code 82930 applies, how the service is typically delivered, and what to expect from major payers regarding coverage and documentation requirements. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and detailed payer-specific rules.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82930 describes laboratory measurement of gastric acid in a gastric specimen by chemical testing, by use of a pH meter, or both. Each specimen tested is reported as one unit. When gastric analysis follows a stimulation test, fractional specimens collected over a 1 to 1.5 hour period are measured in the same manner.
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Service type: Diagnostic laboratory test (gastric acid analysis)
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory, with specimens obtained in an outpatient or inpatient setting as clinically indicated.
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred by gastroenterology for gastric acid analysis due to refractory peptic ulcer disease, suspected Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, or unexplained severe gastroesophageal reflux symptoms despite medical therapy. The patient presents to an outpatient hospital lab or ambulatory procedure center after an overnight fast. A nasogastric tube is placed and gastric contents are aspirated at baseline and, if indicated, after secretin or pentagastrin stimulation; fractional specimens are collected over a 60–90 minute period. Each specimen is submitted to the laboratory where the analyst measures total acid by titration, pH by meter, or both. The lab documents the number of specimens (each specimen represents one unit), the methods used (chemical titration and/or pH meter), and the results in mEq/L or pH. Typical workflow includes order verification by the clinical team, patient preparation and tube placement by nursing or the performing physician, specimen collection by the provider or technician, laboratory analysis, and reporting of results to the ordering clinician for diagnostic interpretation and care planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Chief physician of service | Use when the performing physician is the primary attending responsible for the service. |
22 |