2025 CPT code 86769
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures > Immunology Procedures Feed
Antibody; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]).
Modifiers such as 59 (Distinct Procedural Service) can be applied when multiple assays are performed (e.g., IgG and IgM).
Medical necessity for this test is determined by the patient's clinical presentation and the reason for ordering the test (e.g., confirming prior infection, plasma donation eligibility).
The lab analyst performs all the technical steps necessary to test the patient’s blood or serum for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a multiple-step immunoassay method, such as ELISA.
In simple words: This code represents a blood test that checks for antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19.It's a more complex test than a rapid antibody test.
The lab analyst performs a multiple–step immunoassay to evaluate the patient’s serum for antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The test may include various steps such as reacting the specimen with test antigens, incubating the mixture, adding an agent to detect the antigen–antibody complex, and interpreting the results.
Example 1: A patient who recently recovered from COVID-19 wants to know if they have developed antibodies., A clinician orders an antibody test to assess a patient's eligibility for donating convalescent plasma., A researcher uses antibody testing to determine the prevalence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population.
Documentation should include the reason for the test, the method used, the results (positive, negative, or semiquantitative value), and the date of the test.
- Specialties:Immunology, Infectious Disease, General Practice
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Office, Hospital, Outpatient Hospital