CPT code 82055
What does CPT code 82055 mean on a medical bill?
This is the blood test that measures alcohol level. Emergency rooms order it after falls, car crashes, and confusion with no clear cause. It should appear once for each sample drawn. It is a different test from the urine drug screen, so seeing both is not automatically a duplicate, but two identical alcohol lines from one draw is, and your lab report will show how many results actually exist.
What should I watch out for with CPT code 82055?
- Two alcohol results billed from a single blood draw
- An alcohol test billed on a visit where your record shows no reason it was ordered
- A denial from your insurer for this test alone — ask the hospital to review the coding before you pay it yourself
Seeing CPT code 82055 on your own bill?
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Explain my bill — free previewWritten by us in plain English. We describe codes in our own words and never publish official code-book descriptions.
Educational information only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Always confirm the details with your provider or insurer.