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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChemistry ProceduresCPT cpt-84156-urine-total-protein-quantitative
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    CPT 84156: Urine Total Protein Assay, Non-Refractometry/Dipstick

    CPT code 84156 describes a laboratory test for total protein in a urine specimen performed by a quantitative laboratory method other than refractometry or dipstick, representing a urine protein assay service typically provided by clinical laboratories and performed on urine collected in outpatient, inpatient, or reference lab settings.

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

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    Table of contents

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical adult patient presents to an outpatient laboratory or hospital clinical laboratory with complaints of peripheral edema and foamy urine noted by the patient. The clinician orders urinalysis with quantitative total urine protein testing to evaluate for proteinuria as part of a renal workup. A midstream or timed urine specimen is collected; the specimen is transported to the laboratory where a clinical laboratory scientist performs a laboratory method other than refractometry or dipstick (for example, a biuret or colorimetric assay) to measure total protein concentration in the urine. Results are reported to the ordering clinician and used alongside urine albumin, serum creatinine, and urine microscopy to assess for kidney disease such as nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, or monitoring of known chronic kidney disease. Typical sites of service include outpatient laboratories, hospital laboratories, and clinic-based laboratory collection points. Specimen handling, accessioning, and standard quality control procedures are part of the clinical workflow prior to reporting.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81002Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent; non-automated, without microscopyOften performed as an initial screen prior to quantitative urine total protein testing; dipstick can suggest proteinuria.
    82043Blood, urine or other body fluid; qualitative or semiquantitative, screen for protein (e.g., reagent strip)Screening test that may prompt confirmatory quantitative total urine protein testing.
    84156Total protein; urine (lab method other than refractometry or dipstick)The primary test described; provides quantitative total urine protein results used in renal evaluation.
    82045Urine protein; quantitative (e.g., sulfosalicylic acid precipitate)Alternative quantitative urine protein assays that may be performed in conjunction or as method variants.
    81000Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent; automated, without microscopyAutomated urinalysis may be performed concurrently in the lab workflow preceding or alongside the quantitative total protein assay.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    163W00000XRegistered Nurse(1) A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    261QP2300XPrimary Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    261QM3000XMedically Fragile Infants and Children Day CareAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility specially equipped and staffed to provide care for medically fragile children with varied and comp…
    385HR2060XChild Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Respite CareA facility or distinct part of a facility that provides short term, residential care to children diagnosed with intellectual and/or developmental disa…
    261QI0500XInfusion Therapy Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A18.81Tuberculosis of thyroid gland
    B25.9Cytomegaloviral disease, unspecified
    E08.21Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic nephropathy
    E10.21Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E11.21Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E11.22Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease
    I12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    I13.0Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure and stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    N03.2Chronic nephritic syndrome with diffuse membranous glomerulonephritis
    N03.9Chronic nephritic syndrome with unspecified morphologic changes

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and MonitoringOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Thyroid Disease TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Testosterone laboratory testing and managementPremera Bluecross2026-09-04

    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

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    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.
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