Summary & Overview

CPT 86022: Platelet Antibody Identification, Technical Component

CPT code 86022 denotes a technical laboratory test performed by a lab analyst to detect and identify platelet antibodies. This immunohematology assay is clinically important for evaluating platelet transfusion compatibility, investigating suspected platelet refractoriness, and diagnosing immune thrombocytopenia and alloimmune platelet disorders. Nationally, accurate reporting of 86022 supports appropriate clinical management and ensures alignment between laboratory services and payer coverage policies.

Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, common modifiers, and the payer landscape relevant to this lab procedure. Readers will find benchmarks and policy-oriented observations where available, a summary of clinical indications that commonly drive test ordering, and notes on documentation and claims components tied to the technical component of platelet antibody testing.

The content is intended for billing managers, laboratory directors, and policy analysts who need a national-level briefing on CPT code 86022, including how the service is described, typical care settings, and the payer mix most relevant to coverage and claims processing. Data not available in the input will be noted as such in the relevant sections.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare86022CPTImmunohematologyLaboratoryPlatelet AntibodiesTransfusion MedicineClinical LaboratorySerology

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 86022 describes a laboratory technical procedure in which a lab analyst performs testing to detect the presence of and identify platelet antibodies. The service is a laboratory immunohematology test focused on platelet alloantibodies and autoantibodies that can affect transfusion compatibility and immune-mediated platelet disorders.

Service Type: Technical laboratory test (immunohematology/serology)

Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 32-year-old woman presents to the hematology clinic with a history of multiple transfusions during treatment for postpartum hemorrhage and now shows a drop in platelet count and signs of transfusion inefficacy. The clinician suspects immune-mediated platelet destruction or alloimmunization to platelet antigens. A blood specimen is collected in the outpatient phlebotomy lab and sent to the clinical immunohematology laboratory. The laboratory technologist performs a platelet antibody analysis as a technical procedure to detect and identify platelet-specific antibodies that may cause refractoriness to platelet transfusion or immune thrombocytopenic conditions. Results are communicated to the ordering hematologist and the transfusion service to guide selection of antigen-negative platelet components or immune-directed therapy. Typical site of service is an accredited hospital clinical laboratory, reference immunohematology laboratory, or hospital outpatient lab; testing is performed by trained laboratory personnel under supervision of a pathologist or transfusion medicine specialist.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional interpretation/reporting component if separately billable.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when reporting only the technical component (laboratory processing and testing) performed by the facility.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the test is sent to an outside/reference laboratory that bills separately.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when the same test is repeated on a subsequent specimen within a short interval for reliability.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when this test is a distinct service from another performed on the same day and needs clarification of distinctness.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician or other qualified health care professional	Use when the laboratory repeats the same test for the same patient by the same provider (if applicable).
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional	Use when testing is repeated by a different provider or lab for the same patient.
`62`	Two surgeons (not typically applicable to lab tests)	Rarely used; included only if dual-provider reporting is required for oversight in specialized centers.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Duplicate entry avoided; single use in claims when applicable.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Duplicate entry avoided; single use in claims when applicable.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207RH0000X`	Hematology	Hematologists order and interpret platelet antibody testing for immune cytopenias and transfusion refractoriness.
`207K00000X`	Pathology	Pathologists or clinical pathologists oversee laboratory testing quality and result validation.
`207P00000X`	Transfusion Medicine	Specialists in transfusion medicine manage antibody identification and component selection.
`207L00000X`	Clinical Laboratory	Laboratory medicine specialists and directors supervise technical performance and compliance.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D69.5`	Secondary thrombocytopenia	Platelet antibody testing is indicated to evaluate immune-mediated platelet destruction contributing to thrombocytopenia.
`D69.3`	Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)	Antibody identification helps confirm immune etiology and guide transfusion or immunotherapy decisions.
`D68.6`	Thrombocytopenia, unspecified	Used when thrombocytopenia is documented and platelet antibodies are evaluated as part of diagnostic workup.
`Z51.0`	Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy and immunotherapy	Patients receiving chemotherapy may develop allo- or auto- immune cytopenias prompting platelet antibody testing.
`T88.1`	Other complications following immunization, not elsewhere classified	Included when immune-mediated platelet reactions are suspected after immunologic exposures; testing may be performed to evaluate antibody involvement.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Commonly performed immediately prior to `86022` to obtain the specimen for platelet antibody testing.
`86900`	Crossmatch, blood; major crossmatch for recipient and donor red blood cells	Performed in parallel in transfusion workflows when antibody identification is needed for transfusion compatibility decisions.
`86850`	Compatibility testing, platelet (e.g., platelet crossmatch)	Performed alongside platelet antibody identification to assess donor platelet compatibility for transfusion.
`86038`	Antibody identification, RBC (e.g., panel)	Complementary immunohematology testing when broader alloantibody evaluation is required for transfusion planning.
`88112`	Cytopathology, slide interpretation (thinprep, etc.) — not typically related	Included for comprehensive lab workflow context when cytology or other lab services are concurrently billed.