Lab · CPT 85027

What is CPT code 85027?

Complete blood count (CBC) without differential.

By Justin Feldstein · Reviewed 2026-06-15

What it covers

A blood test that counts your red cells, white cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets, giving a total white-cell number but not the breakdown of white-cell types. It's the more basic version of the standard CBC. The counts are bundled into this single code.

When you'd see it

Ordered when a doctor wants the core blood counts but doesn't need the detailed white-cell breakdown, often as part of routine monitoring.

Roughly what it costs

$8–$50 commonly billed

A ballpark on the billed amount. After insurance or a negotiated rate, what you owe is often far lower. Always compare against your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

What's usually billed with it

The blood draw (36415) accompanies it, and it's commonly grouped with a metabolic panel (80048 or 80053).

85027 vs 85025

The 85025 version adds the white-cell-type breakdown, so if your bill shows both for one draw the simpler test is being double-counted. See 85025 (CBC with differential).

What to watch for

If this and the with-differential CBC (85025) both appear for one draw, ask about it — they share the same core counts and shouldn't both be charged.

Specific things to question

• Billed alongside the CBC-with-differential (85025) for the same draw, which overlaps the shared counts.
• Charged at the price of the more detailed CBC even though no white-cell breakdown was run.
• Billed twice for a single blood draw.

How to check this charge on your own bill

Find 85027 on your itemized bill and match it against your EOB. Confirm it appears only once, that any bundled services aren't also billed separately, and that the amount matches what your insurer says it allowed. If something doesn't line up, that's a fair question for the billing office.