CPT code 86052 denotes a cell‑based immunofluorescence assay (CBA) to detect antibodies against aquaporin‑4 in serum, a specific biomarker for neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Nationally, testing for AQP4 antibodies is clinically important because it distinguishes NMO from other demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis and guides diagnosis and disease management strategies. The code captures an advanced immunology laboratory service increasingly used in specialty neurology and neuroimmunology care.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coding and clinical context, payer coverage considerations, common billing modifiers, and relevant operational benchmarks where available. The publication outlines clinical implications of a positive AQP4 antibody result, typical sites of service for performing the assay, and what to expect in terms of laboratory workflow classification under CPT coding standards.

This summary provides a national perspective for clinicians, laboratory managers, and billing professionals seeking clarity on the purpose of CPT code 86052, the clinical scenarios that prompt ordering the test, and the payer landscape addressed in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.