2025 CPT code 86360
Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures > Immunology Procedures Feed
T-cells; absolute CD4 and CD8 count, including ratio.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code depending on the specific circumstances of the test. For instance, modifier 91 is used to indicate a repeat test performed on the same day. Other modifiers, as outlined in CPT guidelines, might apply in unique scenarios like distinct procedural services or services provided by a different practitioner.
Medical necessity for this test is established by the patient's underlying condition or suspected diagnosis related to immune dysfunction. For HIV, it is necessary for initial staging, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and predicting disease progression. In other immunodeficiencies or autoimmune diseases, it aids in disease management and guides treatment decisions.
The laboratory analyst performs the technical aspects of the test, including sample preparation, cell separation, and flow cytometry analysis. The clinician interprets the results in the context of the patient's overall health to guide treatment decisions, particularly for conditions like HIV where immune monitoring is essential. This might include decisions regarding antiretroviral therapy or prophylactic medications for opportunistic infections.
In simple words: This test measures the number of two types of white blood cells, CD4 and CD8, that are important for your immune system. It also calculates the ratio between these two cell types. Doctors use this information to check how strong your immune system is, especially if you have HIV.
This code represents a laboratory test that measures the absolute count of CD4 and CD8 T-cells in a patient's blood sample, along with calculating the CD4/CD8 ratio.This test is crucial for monitoring the immune system's status, particularly in individuals with HIV, as CD4 cells are the primary target of the virus. The ratio helps assess immune function and predict the risk of opportunistic infections.
Example 1: A patient newly diagnosed with HIV undergoes the CD4/CD8 count with ratio to establish baseline immune function and aid in determining the stage of HIV infection. Subsequent monitoring with this test helps gauge treatment effectiveness and disease progression., A patient with HIV who is undergoing antiretroviral therapy receives regular CD4/CD8 testing to assess treatment response. An improving CD4 count and ratio indicate the therapy's effectiveness in controlling the viral load and improving immune function., A physician orders a CD4/CD8 test for a patient with other conditions affecting the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases or certain cancers. The test helps evaluate immune status and disease activity.
Proper documentation for this code should include the patient's diagnosis (e.g., HIV, other immunodeficiency), the reason for the test (e.g., baseline assessment, monitoring treatment response), and the date of the test. The results should be documented with both the absolute CD4 and CD8 counts and the calculated ratio.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Immunology, Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Laboratory