Rate Benchmarking
Compare your rates with similar providers.
Select a published rate, define comparable providers, and see where that rate falls in your market.
See a sample rate comparisonCPT 82438 Fee Schedule
Last Verified: October 2026
Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.
Chloride Electrolyte Test, This Test Checks A Body Fluid For Chloride. This Is One Of The Cell Salts Essential For Maintaining The Bodys Electrolyte Balance. Typically Chloride Is Absorbed From Table Salt.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Chemistry Procedures |
| Common Place of Service | 81 - Independent Laboratory 22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital |
| Common Modifiers | 26 - Professional component 91 - Repeat Lab Test |
| Complexity Level | Low |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | $5.00 national lab fee schedule rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 82438 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | $4.605 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 82438 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 82438 by major payers:
$4.42
$3.49
$6.03
$7.28
Compare published rates across providers.
Choose a payer to see a sample of rates for CPT 82438.
CPT 82438
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
Restorative Health Rehabilitation Inc
$60.00Published rateChu Chen
Merrimack Valley Pediatric Associates, Inc.
$11.00Published ratePrisma Health-Upstate, Prisma Health Center For Pediatric Med
Prisma Health - Upstate
$4.50Published rateTouro Infirmary
$4.00Published rateAaron Askew
The Orthopedic And Neurosurgical Center Of The Cascades
$2.10Published rate
Get a free rate benchmark for your specialty.
Choose your state and specialty to build a report from payer-published rates.
Use market rates to prepare your payer proposal.
Payer Contract Negotiation
Draft a fee schedule renegotiation letter.
Use your fee schedule and market benchmarks to set target rates and draft a letter for your payer.
See a sample payer proposalCPT 82438 vs. Other Chemistry Procedures Codes
The CPT 82438 code is part of the Pathology and Laboratory Procedures services used for Chemistry Procedures. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.
The CPT 82438 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.
| Code | Complexity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 82435-CPT | Low | Chloride Electrolyte Test, This Test Checks A Blood Sample For Chloride. This Is One Of The Cell Salts Essential For Maintaining The Bodys Electrolyte Balance. Typically Chloride Is Absorbed From Table Salt. |
| 82436-CPT | Low | Chloride Electrolyte Test, This Test Checks A Urine Sample For Chloride. This Is One Of The Cell Salts Essential For Maintaining The Bodys Electrolyte Balance. Typically Chloride Is Absorbed From Table Salt. |
| 82438-CPT | Low | Chloride Electrolyte Test, This Test Checks A Body Fluid For Chloride. This Is One Of The Cell Salts Essential For Maintaining The Bodys Electrolyte Balance. Typically Chloride Is Absorbed From Table Salt. |
| 82465-CPT | Low | Cholesterol Screening, Total Cholesterol Is Measured From A Blood Sample. Cholesterol Testing Is One Measure Of A Persons Risk For Heart Disease. |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 82438. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 82438 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
FREE SAMPLE MARKET COMPARISON
Let's review your payer contracts side-by-side with the market.
Bring your top codes (like CPT 82438) and we'll show you how you compare in 15 minutes or less.