Summary & Overview
CPT 85247: Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) Subtype Analysis
CPT code 85247 identifies a laboratory test that performs a differential analysis of subtypes of coagulation factor VIII, also known as von Willebrand factor (VWF). This specialized assay helps distinguish VWF subtype patterns and variants that are clinically relevant to diagnosing von Willebrand disease and other bleeding disorders. Nationally, accurate subtype characterization affects diagnostic precision, care planning, and downstream use of targeted therapies or specialty referrals.
Key payers in the national landscape include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of how the code is defined, typical clinical contexts and sites of service, and the payer mix considered. The publication outlines benchmarks and utilization context where available, clarifies coding and billing considerations tied to laboratory specialty testing, and summarizes clinical relevance for hematology and coagulation services. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This resource is intended to inform billing staff, laboratory managers, and policy analysts about the clinical meaning, service setting, and payer coverage landscape associated with CPT code 85247.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 85247 describes a laboratory differential analysis of subtypes of coagulation factor VIII, commonly referred to as von Willebrand factor (VWF) subtyping. The procedure involves laboratory testing to characterize VWF subtypes and variants, which can inform diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders related to VWF abnormalities.
-
Service type: Clinical laboratory diagnostic test (specialty coagulation/hematology testing)
-
Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory, independent clinical laboratory, or specialized coagulation reference laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric patient referred for laboratory evaluation of suspected von Willebrand disease (VWD) or factor VIII subtype abnormalities after clinical signs such as mucocutaneous bleeding, easy bruising, prolonged bleeding after surgery or dental procedures, or a family history of bleeding disorder. The usual workflow begins with the clinician ordering a bleeding profile that may include von Willebrand factor antigen, ristocetin cofactor activity, factor VIII activity, and multimer analysis or subtype differentiation represented by 85247. The specimen is collected via venipuncture into a sodium citrate tube, transported to a coagulation laboratory, centrifuged to obtain platelet-poor plasma, and tested by specialized assays to separate and quantify VWF/factor VIII subtypes. Results are interpreted by a laboratory hematologist or coagulation specialist and reported to the ordering clinician to guide diagnosis (e.g., type 1, 2A, 2B, 2M, 2N, or type 3 VWD), perioperative planning, or management decisions such as desmopressin responsiveness or factor replacement therapy. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent reference laboratories, and tertiary care center hematology labs. Common clinical indications include evaluation of abnormal prothrombin time/partial thromboplastin time in the context of bleeding, preoperative hemostatic risk assessment in patients with bleeding history, and family screening for inherited VWD.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 |