Lab & pathology
82948 — Glucose; blood, reagent strip
A blood glucose test performed using a reagent strip (similar to a home glucometer), commonly done at the bedside or in a clinic to quickly check blood sugar levels.
- Typical setting: Hospital lab, reference lab, doctor's office
- National avg charge (illustrative): $3–$8 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $5–$25 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 82948 (reagent strip) when a laboratory quantitative method (82947) was actually used — method must match the code
What it means
What 82948 actually means
A blood glucose test performed using a reagent strip (similar to a home glucometer), commonly done at the bedside or in a clinic to quickly check blood sugar levels. The result is read using the strip's color change reaction rather than a laboratory analyzer.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 82948 (reagent strip) when a laboratory quantitative method (82947) was actually used — method must match the code
- Billing 82948 in addition to a panel code (80048, 80053) that already includes a glucose measurement
- Missing required QW modifier for CLIA-waived glucose testing when performed in a physician office setting
If you see 82948 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 82948 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
80050 — General health panel; includes CBC w/diff, CMP, TSH
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80051 — Electrolyte panel; CO2, chloride, potassium, sodium
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80053 — Comprehensive metabolic panel
If individual blood tests are also on your bill, you may have an unbundling error.
CPT
80055 — Obstetric panel; CBC w/diff, HBsAg, rubella Ab, syphilis, RBC Ab screen, ABO/Rh
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80061 — Lipid panel (cholesterol)
If you see HDL or LDL listed separately next to 80061, that's unbundling.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 82948 on a bill.
82948 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 82948 usually cost?
$3–$8 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $5–$25 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 82948?
Billing 82948 (reagent strip) when a laboratory quantitative method (82947) was actually used — method must match the code
What should I do if I see 82948 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 82948 before paying.
Don't pay 82948 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.