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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIn Vivo (eg, Transcutaneous) Laboratory ProceduresCPT cpt-88738-transcutaneous-hemoglobin-measurement
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    CPT 88738: Transcutaneous Hemoglobin Measurement

    CPT code 88738 describes a noninvasive transcutaneous hemoglobin measurement performed by a laboratory analyst that produces a numeric hemoglobin result; the service is a clinical laboratory test typically performed in outpatient clinics, emergency departments, or point-of-care settings using transcutaneous devices without skin puncture.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult or pediatric outpatient undergoing point-of-care hemoglobin assessment without skin puncture. For example, a clinician in an infusion center evaluates a patient receiving chemotherapy who reports fatigue; a transcutaneous hemoglobin monitor is applied to the patient’s fingertip to obtain an immediate numeric hemoglobin result. The workflow: nurse or lab technician places the noninvasive transcutaneous sensor, initiates the measurement, documents the numeric value in the medical record, and reports the result to the ordering provider. The result may prompt further laboratory testing (venous complete blood count) or clinical action such as transfusion planning, medication adjustment, or observation. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, infusion centers, emergency departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and inpatient bedside when a noninvasive, rapid hemoglobin estimate is needed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureVenous CBC collection often follows a transcutaneous hemoglobin if confirmation or full blood count is needed.
    85025Complete blood count (CBC) with automated differentialLaboratory test commonly ordered after a noninvasive hemoglobin reading to confirm and provide detailed red cell indices.
    36416Collection of capillary blood specimen (finger, heel, ear stick)Alternative blood collection method when a point-of-care numeric hemoglobin requires verification by capillary testing.
    36514Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, age 5 years or olderIn transfusion planning workflows, central access procedures may follow hemoglobin assessment in critical care settings.
    36430Blood specimen collection from arterial punctureArterial blood gas or labs may be performed alongside hemoglobin assessment in acute respiratory or hemodynamic compromise.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    207Q00000X
    363L00000X
    163W00000X
    2470A2800X
    2083P0901X
    323P00000X
    261QM3000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Oral Cancer Screening and TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyOscar Health2027-01-01
    Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-88720-NONINVASIVE-BILIRUBIN-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 88720: Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement

    CPT-88740-TRANSCUTANEOUS-CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN-QUANTITATIVE

    CPT 88740: Transcutaneous Measurement of Carboxyhemoglobin

    CPT-88741-TRANSCUTANEOUS-METHEMOGLOBIN-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 88741: Transcutaneous Quantitative Methemoglobin Measurement

    CPT-88749-UNLISTED-IN-VIVO-LABORATORY-SERVICE

    CPT 88749: Unlisted In Vivo Laboratory Service

    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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