CPT 82947: Glucose, Blood, Quantitative
CPT 82947 reports a quantitative blood glucose measured on a laboratory analyzer, except by reagent strip. It is a clinical laboratory service priced under the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), not the Physician Fee Schedule, so it carries no PFS dollar amount.
- Code type
- Clinical laboratory test (chemistry)
- Priced under
- Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), not the PFS
- Components
- Single analyte (quantitative glucose, lab analyzer)
- Frequency notes
- Diagnosis-driven; bundled into metabolic panels
What is CPT 82947 used for?
CPT 82947 reports a quantitative blood glucose measured on a laboratory-grade analyzer (except by reagent strip). It produces an exact numeric glucose concentration and is the standard for diagnostic glucose testing — diabetes workups, monitoring, and evaluating hypo- or hyperglycemia.
Because it is a laboratory method rather than a point-of-care strip or home device, it is not CLIA-waived; the performing site needs at least a CLIA Certificate of Compliance or Accreditation.
How much does Medicare pay for 82947?
On the Physician Fee Schedule, 82947 shows status indicator X — statutory exclusion, so no RVUs and no PFS dollar. That is correct: lab tests are not paid on the PFS.
Payment comes from the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), priced with national limitation amounts and gapfill/crosswalk methodology. The Medicare fee calculator PFS lookup returns nothing — use the current CLFS rate from your MAC or payer fee file.
How does 82947 differ from 82948 and 82962?
All three measure glucose, but the method drives the code:
| Code | Method |
|---|---|
| 82947 | Quantitative glucose on a lab analyzer (not reagent strip) |
| 82948 | Glucose by reagent strip |
| 82962 | Glucose by FDA-cleared home-use device (CLIA-waived) |
Do not substitute one for another — bill the code that reflects the actual method used.
How do bundling and frequency rules apply?
Example: a lab runs a comprehensive metabolic panel and separately bills 82947 for the same specimen. Since glucose is already in the CMP, the stand-alone glucose is unbundled and denies under NCCI edits.
- Stand-alone glucose → bill 82947.
- Glucose ordered as part of a panel → bill only the panel (80048 or 80053).
- Never report 82947 on top of a metabolic panel for the same specimen.
Coverage and repeat-testing frequency follow payer medical-necessity policy, so tie each order to a supporting diagnosis. A1c (83036) answers the long-term-control question a spot glucose cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Because 82947 is a clinical laboratory test, not a physician service. On the PFS it carries status indicator X (statutory exclusion) and is never paid there. Payment comes from the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) using national limitation amounts and gapfill/crosswalk pricing. The PFS $0 is expected, not a denial.
82947 is a quantitative glucose run on a laboratory analyzer (not reagent strip). 82948 is glucose by reagent strip. 82962 is glucose by an FDA-cleared home-use monitoring device. They describe different methods and are not interchangeable — bill the one matching how the test was actually performed.
Not for the same specimen. Glucose is already a component of the basic (80048) and comprehensive (80053) metabolic panels, so billing 82947 alongside the panel is unbundling and will deny under NCCI. Report 82947 only as a stand-alone glucose, not on top of a panel that already includes it.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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