Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 82374 refers to the measurement of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) levels in a blood sample. This procedure involves taking a blood sample to assess the total carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, which is crucial for evaluating a patient's acid-base balance. The total CO2 level is comprised of several components, including CO2 itself, bicarbonate (HCO3-), and carbonic acid (H2CO3), with bicarbonate being the predominant element. Bicarbonate serves as a negatively charged electrolyte that plays a vital role in maintaining the acid-base equilibrium and electrical neutrality within cells. It works in conjunction with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and chloride to ensure proper physiological function. The kidneys are responsible for the excretion and reabsorption of bicarbonate, thus regulating its levels in the bloodstream. The measurement of total CO2 provides a rough estimate of the bicarbonate concentration, which is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various metabolic conditions. The CO2 levels are typically determined using enzymatic methodologies, which offer accurate and reliable results for clinical assessment.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The measurement of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) levels is indicated for various clinical scenarios, particularly when assessing a patient's acid-base status. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for measuring carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) levels involves several key steps that ensure accurate results. First, a qualified healthcare professional will prepare the patient for the blood draw, which may include explaining the procedure and ensuring the patient is comfortable. Next, a suitable site on the patient's arm is selected, typically the antecubital fossa, where a vein is easily accessible. The area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. Following this, a tourniquet is applied to engorge the vein, making it easier to draw blood. A sterile needle is then inserted into the vein, and blood is collected into a vacuum-sealed tube specifically designed for biochemical analysis. Once the required volume of blood is obtained, the needle is removed, and pressure is applied to the puncture site to prevent excessive bleeding. The blood sample is then labeled and sent to the laboratory for analysis, where enzymatic methodologies are employed to measure the total CO2 levels accurately. The results are subsequently reported to the healthcare provider for interpretation and further clinical decision-making.
After the blood sample has been collected, the patient is typically advised to maintain pressure on the puncture site for a few minutes to minimize bruising and bleeding. It is also recommended that the patient avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities with the affected arm for a short period. The results of the carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) measurement will be reviewed by the healthcare provider, who will discuss any necessary follow-up actions or further testing based on the findings. Patients may be informed about the expected timeframe for receiving results, which can vary depending on the laboratory's processing capabilities. If any abnormalities are detected in the bicarbonate levels, additional diagnostic evaluations or treatments may be considered to address the underlying issues.
| Short Descr | ASSAY BLOOD CARBON DIOXIDE | Medium Descr | CARBON DIOXIDE BICARBONATE | Long Descr | Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) | Status Code | Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies) | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | CLIA Waived (QW) | Yes | APC Status Indicator | Conditionally packaged laboratory tests | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 233 - Laboratory - Chemistry and Hematology |
| 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | QW | Clia waived test | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.