Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChemistry ProceduresCPT cpt-83050-methemoglobin-quantitative-blood-test
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 83050: Quantitative Methemoglobin Measurement

    CPT code 83050 describes a laboratory test for the quantitative measurement of methemoglobin in a blood sample, used to identify increased levels of this oxidized form of hemoglobin that can cause cyanosis and brownish-colored blood; the service is a clinical laboratory assay typically performed in a hospital or outpatient laboratory setting on venous or arterial blood specimens.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 83050 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 83050 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old outpatient presents to the emergency department with cyanosis and chocolate-brown appearing blood after exposure to a topical anesthetic. The emergency physician orders a quantitative methemoglobin assay to confirm suspected methemoglobinemia. A phlebotomy technician draws a venous blood specimen using standard collection tubes and delivers it to the hospital clinical laboratory. A medical laboratory scientist performs the 83050 assay on a blood sample, documents the percent methemoglobin, and reports results in the electronic medical record to the ordering clinician. Typical sites of service include hospital laboratories (inpatient and outpatient), emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and independent clinical laboratories. The clinical workflow includes specimen collection, accessioning, analysis by co-oximetry or spectrophotometry, result verification by a licensed laboratory professional, and transmission of quantitative methemoglobin level to the ordering provider for treatment decisions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommonly performed immediately before 83050 to obtain the blood specimen.
    36416Collection of capillary blood specimenAlternative collection method when venipuncture is not feasible for 83050.
    85025Blood count; complete (CBC) automated and automated differential WBC countOften ordered alongside 83050 to evaluate for anemia or other hematologic abnormalities.
    81002Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopyMay be ordered in emergency evaluation but not directly related; included as common ancillary testing.
    84443Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)Not specific but commonly ordered in systemic workups where cyanosis has unclear etiology.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    3336C0002XClinic PharmacyA pharmacy in a clinic, emergency room or hospital (outpatient) that dispenses medications to patients for self-administration under the supervision o…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207V00000XObstetrics & Gynecology PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproducti…
    332BX2000XOxygen Equipment & Supplies (DME)Suppliers · Durable Medical Equipment & Medical Supplies
    207PP0204XPediatric Emergency Medicine (Emergency Medicine) PhysicianPediatric Emergency Medicine is a clinical subspecialty that focuses on the care of the acutely ill or injured child in the setting of an emergency de…
    175M00000XLay MidwifeA person qualified by experience and limited specialized training to provide obstetric and neo-natal care in the management of women having normal pre…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and MonitoringOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-82009-KETONE-BODIES-QUALITATIVE-TEST

    CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

    CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

    CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

    CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

    CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

    CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

    CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

    CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

    CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

    CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

    CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

    CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

    CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

    CPT-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

    CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

    CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

    CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

    Showing 1–10 of 411

    • More pages

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.