CPT 82306: vitamin D blood test (25-hydroxy). What Medicare pays and what to ask
A common blood test where coverage rules matter as much as the price. Here is what 82306 is and what Medicare's laboratory rate is.
What this code means
CPT 82306 measures the level of vitamin D (25-hydroxy) in the blood.
It is ordered for bone health, certain deficiencies and other conditions.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
Insurers, including Medicare, often cover this test only for certain diagnoses, so a denial may be about coverage rather than price.
Hospital lab charges can be a large multiple of the Medicare lab rate.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $148.00 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $296.00 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $592.00 |
The Medicare rate is a published benchmark, not a legal ceiling on what a provider may charge. Our free scan flags a line as worth a closer look when it is billed at more than 10 times the Medicare rate.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- Was the test ordered for a diagnosis my plan covers?
- If it was denied, can you send the coverage criteria in writing?
- Is the blood draw listed only once?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
Related codes
Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CMS, 2026), national payment limit. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rates change each year and a hospital bill can include charges that the benchmark does not cover.