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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHematology and Coagulation ProceduresCPT cpt-85049-automated-platelet-count-whole-blood
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    CPT 85049: Automated Platelet Count on Whole Blood

    CPT code 85049 describes a technical laboratory procedure that performs an automated platelet (thrombocyte) count on whole blood using automated cell counters; the service is a clinical laboratory test (hematology) typically provided in a hospital or independent laboratory clinical laboratory setting and reported for the technical component of platelet enumeration.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only), Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old outpatient presents to a clinic for routine preoperative evaluation prior to elective hernia repair. The clinician orders a complete blood count with platelet determination to assess bleeding risk. A phlebotomy technician collects a whole blood sample which is sent to the clinical laboratory. A medical laboratory analyst performs an automated platelet count using a hematology analyzer and documents the platelet concentration, flagging any instrument alerts for review. Results are verified by laboratory personnel and reported back to the ordering surgeon and primary care provider to inform perioperative planning and bleeding risk management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    80048Basic metabolic panelOften ordered concurrently for preoperative evaluation along with CBC and platelet count.
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panelAlternative metabolic profile performed with CBC in preoperative workup.
    85025Blood count; complete (CBC) automated and automated differential WBC countCommonly performed with platelet count as part of the CBC panel; provides hemoglobin and white blood cell data.
    85379Platelet function tests (e.g., platelet aggregation)Performed when abnormal platelet count or bleeding history necessitates further platelet function assessment.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2279P1005XPulmonary Rehabilitation Registered Respiratory TherapistThe respiratory therapist can assist the chronic pulmonary patient in returning to an optimal role in society by providing an effective program. It i…
    225XN1300XNeurorehabilitation Occupational TherapistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
    207QA0000XAdolescent Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA family medicine physician with multidisciplinary training in the unique physical, psychological and social characteristics of adolescents and their …
    1835P2201XAmbulatory Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by pharmaci…
    152WX0102XOccupational Vision OptometristOptometrists who work in Occupational Vision, the branch of environmental optometry, consider all aspects of the relationship between work and vision,…
    2081S0010XSports Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physician who specializes in Sports Medicine is responsible for continuous care related to the enhancement of health and fitness as well as the prev…
    261QF0400XFederally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2081N0008XNeuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    D62Acute posthemorrhagic anemia
    D65Disseminated intravascular coagulation [defibrination syndrome]
    D68.4Acquired coagulation factor deficiency
    D69.0Allergic purpura
    D69.2Other nonthrombocytopenic purpura
    D69.3Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
    D69.6Thrombocytopenia, unspecified
    D69.8Other specified hemorrhagic conditions
    D69.9Hemorrhagic condition, unspecified
    I21.9Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    4 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Antibody-Drug ConjugatesPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    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-85009-MANUAL-WBC-COUNT-BUFFY-COAT

    CPT 85009: Manual White Blood Cell Count Using Buffy Coat

    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

    Showing 1–10 of 99

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    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.
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