Lab & pathology
85027 — Blood count; complete , automated
A complete blood count without a differential — it measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit using an automated analyzer, but does not break down the types of white blood cells.
- Typical setting: Hospital lab, reference lab, doctor's office
- National avg charge (illustrative): $7–$14 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $10–$40 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 85027 (CBC without differential) when a CBC with differential (85025) was actually performed — the two codes are not interchangeable
What it means
What 85027 actually means
A complete blood count without a differential — it measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit using an automated analyzer, but does not break down the types of white blood cells. It is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests for routine health screening and evaluating infection, anemia, or bleeding.
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 85027 (CBC without differential) when a CBC with differential (85025) was actually performed — the two codes are not interchangeable
- Billing 85027 alongside 85025 on the same date for the same specimen, which creates a duplicate claim
- Billing CBC components (e.g., 85018 hemoglobin, 85014 hematocrit) separately when a full automated CBC (85027 or 85025) was performed
If you see 85027 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 85027 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 85027 on a bill.
85027 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 85027 usually cost?
$7–$14 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $10–$40 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 85027?
Billing 85027 (CBC without differential) when a CBC with differential (85025) was actually performed — the two codes are not interchangeable
What should I do if I see 85027 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 85027 before paying.
Don't pay 85027 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.