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Official Description

Creatinine; clearance

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 82575 refers to the procedure for measuring creatinine clearance, which is a critical test used to assess kidney function. This procedure involves the collection of both a blood sample and a sample other than blood, typically urine, to evaluate the levels of creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that results from the normal breakdown of creatine, a substance that muscles utilize to generate energy for contraction. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering out creatinine from the bloodstream, and thus, measuring its levels can provide valuable insights into renal health. Elevated creatinine levels may indicate impaired kidney function, making this test essential for screening and monitoring renal diseases. Additionally, creatinine levels are monitored in patients suffering from acute or chronic conditions that could potentially affect kidney function, as well as in those undergoing treatment with medications known to impact renal health. The measurement of creatinine is typically performed using spectrophotometry, a method that quantifies the concentration of creatinine in the samples. The creatinine clearance test (CPT® Code 82575) specifically calculates the creatinine content in relation to urine volume and the patient's physical size, serving as a general indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a key measure of kidney function.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The creatinine clearance test (CPT® Code 82575) is indicated for several clinical scenarios, particularly those involving renal function assessment. The following conditions and situations warrant the performance of this test:

  • Renal Disease Screening This test is performed to screen for renal diseases, allowing for early detection and management of potential kidney dysfunction.
  • Monitoring Renal Function It is used to monitor the treatment of patients diagnosed with renal disease, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
  • Acute or Chronic Illnesses Patients with acute or chronic illnesses that may impair renal function are monitored using this test to assess any impact on kidney health.
  • Medication Effects The test is also indicated for patients on medications that are known to affect renal function, ensuring that any adverse effects on the kidneys are identified and managed promptly.

2. Procedure

The procedure for creatinine clearance testing involves several key steps to ensure accurate measurement and assessment of kidney function. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Sample Collection The first step involves the collection of a blood sample, which is necessary to measure the serum creatinine level. This sample is typically drawn from a vein in the arm using standard venipuncture techniques.
  • Step 2: Urine Collection Concurrently, a urine sample is collected over a specified period, usually 24 hours. This collection is crucial as it provides the volume of urine produced, which is necessary for calculating the creatinine clearance.
  • Step 3: Laboratory Analysis Both the blood and urine samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the creatinine concentration in both samples using spectrophotometry, a reliable method for quantifying creatinine levels.
  • Step 4: Calculation of Clearance The final step involves calculating the creatinine clearance using the formula that incorporates the creatinine levels from both the blood and urine samples, adjusted for urine volume and the patient's body surface area. This calculation provides an estimate of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a critical indicator of kidney function.

3. Post-Procedure

After the creatinine clearance test is completed, patients may resume their normal activities without any specific restrictions. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to review the results with the patient, as elevated or decreased creatinine clearance values may indicate underlying renal issues that require further evaluation or intervention. Follow-up testing or additional diagnostic procedures may be necessary based on the findings. Patients should also be advised to report any symptoms of kidney dysfunction, such as changes in urination patterns, swelling, or fatigue, to their healthcare provider for timely assessment and management.

Short Descr CREATININE CLEARANCE TEST
Medium Descr CREATININE CLEARANCE
Long Descr Creatinine; clearance
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) No
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
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.
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.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
Q4 Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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