Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 85007: Manual Differential White Blood Cell Count
CPT code 85007 represents a manual differential white blood cell (WBC) count, a laboratory service in which a trained analyst microscopically examines stained blood smears to count and classify leukocytes. This test remains clinically important for distinguishing bacterial from viral infections and for detecting hematologic disorders such as leukemia. Nationally, manual differentials are part of foundational hematology diagnostics used across hospitals, reference laboratories, and outpatient clinical labs.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a consolidated view of clinical context for CPT code 85007, common service locations, and payer coverage considerations. The publication outlines benchmarks and utilization patterns, summarizes relevant billing practices for the manual differential service, and highlights policy updates that affect laboratory billing and documentation for microscopic WBC differentials.
This summary provides clinicians, laboratory managers, and revenue cycle professionals with a clear description of the service represented by CPT code 85007, practical context for where the service is performed, and the payer landscape likely to affect reimbursement and documentation expectations at a national level.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 85007 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 85007 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 85007 describes a manual differential white blood cell (WBC) count performed by a laboratory analyst. The service involves microscopic examination of stained blood smears to manually count and differentiate white blood cells (leukocytes). This manual differential helps distinguish bacterial from viral infections and can identify hematologic disorders such as leukemia.
Service Type: Laboratory — manual differential/hematology microscopy
Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory