Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHematology and Coagulation ProceduresCPT cpt-85009-manual-wbc-count-buffy-coat
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 85009: Manual White Blood Cell Count Using Buffy Coat

    CPT code 85009 describes a manual white blood cell (WBC) count performed by a lab analyst using the buffy coat from a centrifuged blood specimen; this is a laboratory diagnostic service typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting and documented as a discrete manual cell-counting procedure for evaluation of leukocyte quantity.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hematology - Adzynma, Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancer, Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverage.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 85009 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 85009 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient phlebotomy or hospital laboratory service for evaluation of suspected infection or hematologic abnormality. The provider orders a complete blood count and, when automated counters are unreliable due to clotted specimens, extreme leukocytosis/leukopenia, or presence of interfering particles, the laboratory performs a manual white blood cell (WBC) count using the buffy coat from a centrifuged blood specimen (85009).

    Clinical workflow: a phlebotomist draws whole blood into an EDTA tube, labels and transports it to the laboratory. If the automated hematology analyzer flags the specimen for manual review or the clinician requests confirmation, a technologist centrifuges the specimen, isolates the buffy coat, and performs the manual WBC count. Results are verified by a qualified laboratory analyst and reported to the ordering clinician for diagnosis and management decisions such as infection evaluation, chemotherapy monitoring, or preoperative assessment.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    85025Blood cell count, automated (CBC) and automated differential WBC countOften performed before 85009; an automated CBC may trigger a manual buffy coat count when results are flagged or unreliable.
    85014Blood count; automated WBC with automated differential and platelet countSimilar to 85025; used in parallel workflows where automated differentials are the first-line test.
    85007Blood count; leukocyte (WBC) count onlyMay be ordered when only a WBC is required; 85009 is used when a manual buffy coat method is needed instead of standard WBC count.
    85004Blood count; hemoglobinPart of broader CBC panels ordered alongside manual WBC counts for clinical correlation.
    85379Microscopic examination of peripheral smear, interpretation and reportFrequently performed in conjunction with 85009 when morphology review is required to characterize abnormal WBCs.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    111NR0200X
    163WC1500X
    246ZB0600X
    335E00000X
    261QR0400X
    202D00000X
    291900000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    C91.00Acute lymphoblastic leukemia not having achieved remission
    C93.10Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia not having achieved remission
    C95.00Acute leukemia of unspecified cell type not having achieved remission
    D61.9Aplastic anemia, unspecified
    D63.1Anemia in chronic kidney disease
    D64.9Anemia, unspecified
    D69.0Allergic purpura
    D69.6Thrombocytopenia, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hematology - AdzynmaCigna2026-10-15
    Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancerselect_health2026-10-01
    Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) CoverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Factor VIII ProductsCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-85002-BLEEDING-TIME-TEST-LABORATORY

    CPT 85002: Bleeding Time Test, Technical Component

    CPT-85004-AUTOMATED-DIFFERENTIAL-WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 85004: Automated White Blood Cell Differential

    CPT-85007-MANUAL-DIFFERENTIAL-WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 85007: Manual Differential White Blood Cell Count

    CPT-85008-BLOOD-SMEAR-MORPHOLOGIC-REVIEW-NO-DIFFERENTIAL

    CPT 85008: Microscopic Blood Smear Examination, No Differential

    CPT-85013-MICROHEMATOCRIT-TEST-LABORATORY-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 85013: Microhematocrit Test by Tube Centrifugation

    CPT-85014-HEMATOCRIT-VOLUME-PERCENT-RED-BLOOD-CELLS

    CPT 85014: Hematocrit (Volume Percent of Red Blood Cells)

    CPT-85018-HEMOGLOBIN-ASSAY-WHOLE-BLOOD

    CPT 85018: Hemoglobin Measurement in Whole Blood

    CPT-85025-COMPLETE-BLOOD-COUNT-CBC

    CPT 85025: Complete Blood Count (CBC)

    CPT-85027-COMPLETE-BLOOD-COUNT-HGB-HCT

    CPT 85027: Complete Blood Count with Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

    CPT-85032-MANUAL-DIFFERENTIAL-BLOOD-SMEAR-COUNT

    CPT 85032: Manual Differential/Visual Cell Count

    Showing 1–10 of 99

    • More pages

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.