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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesQualitative or Semiquantitative ImmunoassaysCPT cpt-86356-quantitative-mono-cell-antigen-flow-cytometry
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    CPT 86356: Quantitative Mononuclear Cell Antigen Assay

    CPT code 86356 describes a laboratory technical procedure to quantitate a mononuclear cell antigen (not otherwise specified), typically performed by a lab analyst using flow cytometry techniques; this service is a clinical laboratory immunophenotyping assay provided as a diagnostic/analytic laboratory test and is usually performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Allergy Testing, Including Selected Blood, Serum and Cellular Testing and Toxicity Testing Corporate Medical Policy, Allergy Testing and Injections, Allergy Testing.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old outpatient with suspected hematologic malignancy is referred for immunophenotyping of peripheral blood or bone marrow to quantify a mononuclear cell antigen by flow cytometry. The clinician orders a targeted assay to measure expression of an antigen not otherwise specified by other CPT codes to help characterize lymphocyte or monocyte populations, monitor minimal residual disease, or guide therapy selection. A phlebotomy or bone marrow aspirate is collected and transported to the clinical laboratory. The laboratory technologist performs specimen accessioning, prepares cells (red cell lysis or washing), incubates with fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen of interest, runs samples on a flow cytometer, and analyzes the data to produce percent-positive and mean fluorescence intensity results. The laboratory director reviews and signs the final report; results are routed to the ordering hematologist/oncologist for integration into the clinical plan.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86356The lab analyst performs the technical lab test to quantitate a mononuclear cell antigen not specified in another code; typically by flow cytometryPrimary technical assay code described — quantitation of a specific mononuclear cell antigen
    86360Immunoassay for quantitation of cellular antigen(s), multiple antigens; e.g., flow cytometric panelPerformed when multiple antigens are measured in a single flow cytometry panel; may be billed in addition or instead depending on payer rules
    88184Flow cytometry; cell surface or intracellular antigen detection, multiparameter (e.g., 4 or more colors), first cell populationOften used for reporting detailed flow cytometry analysis of distinct cell populations alongside or as alternative coding
    88185Flow cytometry; additional cell population(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary population)Used when multiple distinct cell populations are analyzed in the same specimen and reported separately
    89240Aliquoting, centrifugation and preparation of specimen for analysis (non-automated)Reflects specimen processing steps performed in the lab before flow cytometry, often bundled but occasionally billed separately depending on payer
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen to lab (carrier)Used rarely for separate billing when courier or specimen transport is billed as a distinct service

    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…
    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…
    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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0207X
    207RH0000X
    2084P0800X
    207YP0228X
    208600000X
    1835P0018X
    282J00000X
    347C00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A18.89Tuberculosis of other sites
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    C83.30Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified site
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    C92.00Acute myeloblastic leukemia, not having achieved remission
    D46.9Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified
    D69.3Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
    D73.9Disease of spleen, unspecified
    E86.0Dehydration

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Allergy/Clinical Immunology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Allergy Testing, Including Selected Blood, Serum and Cellular Testing and Toxicity Testing Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Allergy Testing and InjectionsUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Allergy TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Diagnosis of Idiopathic Environmental IntoleranceOscar Health2026-10-01
    Allergen Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Allergen TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    ALLERGY TESTING / IMMUNOTHERAPYpriority_health_medicare2026-09-01
    Hereditary Angioedema - EkterlyCigna2026-08-15
    Omalizumab products (Xolair, Omlyclo) coveragePremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Omalizumab Products (Xolair, Omlyclo) coveragePremera Bluecross2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    86803-QUALITATIVE-OR-SEMIQUANTITATIVE-IMMUNOASSAYS-HEPATITIS-C

    CPT 86803: Hepatitis C Antibody Immunoassay in Serum

    CPT-86000-FEBRILE-AGGLUTININS-SEROLOGIC-TEST

    CPT 86000: Febrile Agglutinins (Serologic Agglutination) Test

    CPT-86001-ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC-IGG-LABORATORY-TEST

    CPT 86001: Allergen-Specific IgG Assay, Technical Component

    CPT-86003-ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC-IGE-ASSAY-TECHNICAL

    CPT 86003: Allergen‑Specific IgE Assay Using Crude Allergen Extract

    CPT-86005-MULTI-ALLERGEN-IGE-SCREENING-QUALITATIVE

    CPT 86005: Multi-Allergen Allergen-Specific IgE Screening

    CPT-86008-ALLERGEN-COMPONENT-SPECIFIC-IGE-ASSAY

    CPT 86008: Allergen Component–Specific IgE Assay

    CPT-86015-ANTI-ACTIN-SMOOTH-MUSCLE-ANTIBODY-ASMA

    CPT 86015: Actin (Smooth Muscle) Antibody (ASMA) Immunoassay

    CPT-86021-LEUKOCYTE-ANTIBODY-IDENTIFICATION-LAB-TECHNICAL

    CPT 86021: Leukocyte Antibody Identification Laboratory Test

    CPT-86022-PLATELET-ANTIBODY-IDENTIFICATION-TECHNICAL-TEST

    CPT 86022: Platelet Antibody Detection and Identification

    CPT-86023-PLATELET-ASSOCIATED-IMMUNOGLOBULIN-DETECTION

    CPT 86023: Platelet-Associated Immunoglobulin Assay

    Showing 1–10 of 199

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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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