Cpt Code Question

[bbbirder]

I was looking at the book on CPT changes for 2008. There is a transfusion medicine code, 86885 "Antihuman globulin test (Coombs test); indirect, qualitative, each reagent red cell."

The antibody screen is 86850 and AB ID is 86870.

I was just wondering when 86885 would be used?

Linda Frederick

[Lcsmrz]

Maybe antigen typing with indirect typing sera?

[Mabel Adams]

But Ag typing wouldn't use reagent red cells.

Wow, let's charge out our screens and panels for each reagent cell tested!!!

Could this be for additional cells beyond the first panel?

[BBK710]

But Ag typing wouldn't use reagent red cells.

Wow, let's charge out our screens and panels for each reagent cell tested!!!

Could this be for additional cells beyond the first panel?

I know this is an old post but I was just reviewing reference lab charges from Red Cross. On the last two patients that we sent for testing we were charged this CPT code and not 86870 Antibody ID each panel/media as we were in the past. They appear to be charging for each panel cell tested as one patient had a charge for a quantity of 24 and the other a quantity of 39. Obviously the cost is significantly higher when charging per cell. Has anyone else noticed this? Is anyone charging their panels by individual cells?

[clmergen]

ARC made this change in July or August. They apparently used to "estimate" whether a panel or screen was done based on the number of cells used. We had to build quite a few new "billing tests" in order to capture the charges correctly.

[L106]

Leeping lizards!! I was not aware of this, so "Thank You", BBK710 and clmergen, for bringing this up. I will check my charges and CPT codes.

[Eagle Eye]

When you run a initial panel and identified AB...you cahrge 86870, how about if you run enzyme panel...do you again charge 86870,...how about if you run neutralization...can you charge again 86870??