Electrolyte panel
Relative Value Units (RVUs)
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Clinical Information
When to Use
Electrolyte panel including sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide (bicarbonate)
Common Scenarios
Documentation Requirements
- Order from physician required
- Test results documented
- Normal/abnormal values reported
- Clinical interpretation if applicable
Coding Guidelines
Common Modifiers
Bundling Rules
- Panel includes 4 electrolyte tests
- Cannot bill individual component tests separately
- Includes sodium, potassium, chloride, and CO2
Exclusions
- Do not bill individual electrolyte codes if panel billed
- Do not bill basic metabolic panel (80047) on same day
Coding Notes
Clinical scenarios
- Order from physician required
- Test results documented
- Normal/abnormal values reported
- Order from physician required
- Test results documented
- Normal/abnormal values reported
- Order from physician required
- Test results documented
- Normal/abnormal values reported
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Code Details
Medicare Pricing
PFSRVU Breakdown
OPPS Details
National Limit: $7.01
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Get instant answers about 80051 - pricing, bundling rules, or billing questions.
Ask a QuestionFrequently Asked Questions
CPT 80051 is the billing code for "Electrolyte panel". Electrolyte panel including sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide (bicarbonate)
CPT 80051 has a total RVU of 0.65, broken down as: Work RVU 0.04, Practice Expense RVU 0.60, and Malpractice RVU 0.01. RVUs (Relative Value Units) determine Medicare reimbursement rates.
Key documentation requirements for CPT 80051 include: Order from physician required; Test results documented; Normal/abnormal values reported; Clinical interpretation if applicable. Missing or incomplete documentation is a leading cause of claim denials for this code.
Bundling considerations for CPT 80051: Panel includes 4 electrolyte tests. Cannot bill individual component tests separately Use an NCCI bundling checker to verify specific code combinations before billing.
Common modifiers for CPT 80051 include: 26 (Professional component only (interpretation)), TC (Technical component only (performance)), 91 (Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test, same day). Modifiers indicate special circumstances and can affect reimbursement or prevent claim denials.
The typical time requirement for CPT 80051 is Automated testing - results typically available within hours. Time-based codes require documentation of the actual time spent providing the service.