2025 CPT code 86850
Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Transfusion Medicine Procedures Feed
Antibody screen, RBC, each serum technique
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service. Modifier 90 indicates the test was performed by a reference (outside) laboratory. Modifier 91 is used for repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.
Medical necessity is determined by the clinical indication for the test. This might include pre-transfusion testing, prenatal screening, or evaluation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The documentation should clearly support the medical reason for performing the antibody screen.
The lab analyst performs the technical steps to identify the presence of antibodies to RBC antigens other than A and B in patient serum. They may use various lab methods, such as an indirect antihuman globulin test (indirect Coombs test) or an RBC agglutination test (gel technique).
In simple words: This is a blood test to see if you have certain antibodies against red blood cells. These antibodies, other than those related to your usual blood type (like A or B), could cause problems if you need a blood transfusion, are pregnant, or have a condition where your body attacks its own red blood cells. Each different method used to check for these antibodies is counted separately.
This code represents a screening test performed on patient blood to detect the presence of antibodies to red blood cells (RBCs), excluding the A and B antigens. The test helps determine if the patient has antibodies to RBCs that could cause adverse reactions with transfusions, during pregnancy, or due to autoimmune conditions. Each unique test technique used for the screening is reported as one unit of 86850.
Example 1: A patient requires a blood transfusion. A type and screen, including this antibody screen (86850), is performed to identify the patient's blood type and check for any unexpected antibodies that may react with donor blood., A pregnant woman is tested for RBC antibodies to assess the risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn, where maternal antibodies attack fetal RBCs. This test (86850) is part of prenatal screening., A patient exhibits symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This test (86850) is used to detect the presence of antibodies that are attacking the patient's own RBCs.
Documentation should include the patient's medical history, reason for the test, the specific serum technique employed, and the test results. If performed as part of a type and screen, the blood type results should also be documented.
- Revenue Code: T1H
- Specialties:Hematology, Blood Banking, Obstetrics/Gynecology, General Practice
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Physician Office