Pathology and laboratory services
P9046 — Infusion, albumin (human), 25%, 20 ml
HCPCS code P9046 is used on U.S. medical bills for pathology and laboratory services: Infusion, albumin (human), 25%, 20 ml.
- Typical setting: Outpatient laboratory
- National avg charge (illustrative): Lab fee schedule — Medicare CLFS publishes allowed amounts.
- Most-disputed reason: Unbundling of panel components
What it means
What P9046 actually means
Infusion, albumin (human), 25%, 20 ml.
The official CMS HCPCS Level II descriptor for this code is shown above. If the description on your bill does not match the service you actually received, that is a reason to ask for the itemized bill and dispute the line.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Use these as review prompts, not conclusions. The right next step is to compare the bill, itemized charges, and EOB before paying.
- Quantity or units of service that exceed what the medical record supports.
- Duplicate billing on the same date of service.
- Missing or incorrect modifier (e.g., JW for drug waste, RT/LT for sides).
- Unbundling of panel components without supporting documentation.
If you see P9046 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 P9046 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
HCPCS
P3000 — Screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, by technician under physician supervision
Screen pap by tech w md supv
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see P9046 on a bill.
P9046 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What is P9046 used for on a medical bill?
HCPCS code P9046 is used on medical bills for pathology and laboratory services: Infusion, albumin (human), 25%, 20 ml. Billing mistakes can happen, and codes in this category most often get flagged for unbundling of panel components. If you see P9046 on your bill, request the itemized statement and compare the units, date of service, and description to your Explanation of Benefits before paying.
How much should P9046 cost?
How much P9046 should cost depends on your payer and region. Billing mistakes can happen, and pricing for this HCPCS code is set by Medicare fee schedules for Medicare claims and by negotiated allowed amounts for commercial plans. Check the Medicare fee-schedule lookup tool, your insurer's member portal, or run a free BillBusted scan to compare your charge against typical allowed amounts.
Can I dispute a P9046 charge on my medical bill?
Yes, you can dispute a P9046 charge on your medical bill if the units, modifier, date of service, or coverage doesn't match the medical record or your insurance benefits. Request the itemized bill, compare to your EOB, and use BillBusted's Resolution Pack to draft the dispute letter if needed.
Don't pay P9046 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.