2025 CPT code 87341
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory - Microbiology Procedures Feed
Neutralization test to confirm the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using immunoassay techniques.
Modifiers 59 and 91 are applicable as described in the coding guidelines. Other modifiers may be applicable depending on specific payer rules.
Medically necessary to confirm a positive HBsAg screening test, differentiate between acute, chronic, and carrier status in hepatitis B infection, and guide treatment decisions.
Performed by a laboratory analyst using a patient blood sample, often after an initial positive HBsAg test. The analyst neutralizes a portion of the sample with antibodies to HBsAg and compares the reaction to an unneutralized portion using immunoassay. A reduced reaction in the neutralized sample confirms the presence of HBsAg.
In simple words: This test confirms if you have the hepatitis B virus by specifically looking for a part of the virus, the hepatitis B surface antigen, in your blood.It's usually done after an initial positive test to make sure the first result wasn't a mistake.
Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique (e.g., enzyme immunoassay [EIA], enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], fluorescence immunoassay [FIA], immunochemiluminometric assay [IMCA]), qualitative or semiquantitative; hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) neutralization.
Example 1: A patient with suspected acute hepatitis B infection has a positive HBsAg screening test. This neutralization test is performed to confirm the presence of HBsAg and rule out a false positive., A patient with a previously diagnosed hepatitis B infection has another HBsAg test.The neutralization test is used to confirm continued presence of HBsAg, indicating chronic infection or carrier status., A patient who received a blood transfusion has a routine HBsAg screening as a precaution. A positive result leads to this neutralization test to confirm the presence of HBsAg and initiate appropriate management.
Documentation should include the initial positive HBsAg test result, reason for confirmatory testing, date and time of specimen collection, and the method of immunoassay used for the neutralization test.
- Specialties:Laboratory medicine, infectious disease, hepatology, family medicine, internal medicine.
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient)