Summary & Overview
CPT 82950: Timed Blood Glucose Test
CPT code 82950 represents a timed blood glucose test used to measure blood sugar levels at specified intervals after a patient ingests a glucose load. This diagnostic laboratory procedure is a core clinical tool for evaluating glucose tolerance and monitoring diabetes care across outpatient and ambulatory settings. Nationally, the code matters because timely and standardized glucose testing informs diagnosis, treatment decisions, and quality measurement for diabetes — a high-prevalence, high-cost chronic condition.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the clinical purpose of the code, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape that affects coverage and claim handling. The publication also outlines common billing modifiers relevant to laboratory services and highlights areas where policy updates or coverage nuances can affect claims processing and reimbursement.
This summary equips clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with an understanding of the clinical context, coding intent, and payer considerations tied to CPT code 82950. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable in other sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82950 describes a timed blood glucose test performed by a laboratory analyst on a specimen, typically blood, collected at a specified interval after the patient ingests a glucose-containing liquid or meal. This test is commonly used in the clinical evaluation and monitoring of diabetes mellitus and related glycemic disorders.
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test — glucose tolerance or timed blood glucose measurement
Typical site of service: Outpatient laboratory, clinic, or ambulatory care setting where the specimen can be collected at scheduled intervals following ingestion of glucose.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient with a history of elevated fasting glucose presents to an outpatient primary care clinic for evaluation of possible diabetes. The clinician orders a timed glucose tolerance test and instructs the patient to ingest a standardized glucose solution. The patient returns to the clinic at the specified interval (commonly 60 or 120 minutes) for blood collection. The phlebotomist collects the sample, labels it, and sends it to the laboratory. In the laboratory, a clinical laboratory scientist performs a quantitative blood glucose assay documented under CPT 82950. Results are reviewed by the ordering clinician to inform diagnosis, medication adjustments, or further testing.
Typical site of service: outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgery center laboratory collection area, hospital outpatient phlebotomy clinic, or independent clinical laboratory.
Service type: clinical laboratory test—quantitative glucose measurement from timed specimen obtained after oral glucose load to assess glucose metabolism and diabetes status.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
90 | Reference laboratory - outside lab | Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory for testing |