Summary & Overview

CPT 86367: Quantitative CD34 (Stem Cell) Count

CPT code 86367 represents a quantitative laboratory assay for counting CD34-positive stem cells in a patient specimen, typically peripheral blood. This measurement guides timing and eligibility for hematopoietic stem cell collection and related therapies, making it clinically important across transplant, oncology, and hematology services nationwide. The code is primarily used by hospital and independent clinical laboratories supporting inpatient and outpatient specimen collection.

Key payers covered in this national discussion include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for CD34 enumeration, common sites of service, and the role of this test in care pathways. The publication summarizes available benchmarks and payment considerations where available, highlights common billing and coding themes, and outlines implications for laboratory operations and clinical workflows. Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer policies, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 mappings are not provided. The content is intended to inform laboratory managers, billing professionals, and clinician stakeholders about the clinical purpose and billing context of CPT code 86367 at a national level.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare86367CPTCD34stem-cell-countlaboratoryhematologytransplantblood-specimenclinical-lab

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 86367 describes a laboratory test in which a lab analyst quantifies the total number of CD34-positive (stem) cells in a patient specimen, most commonly a peripheral blood specimen. This assay is used to assess stem cell counts for clinical decisions such as mobilization assessment, stem cell collection timing, and eligibility for hematopoietic stem cell procedures.

Service Type: Laboratory test — quantitative cell count for CD34 (stem cells)

Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory, with specimens usually collected in an outpatient phlebotomy setting or inpatient blood draw and processed in a specialized laboratory facility.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 52-year-old male with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia is undergoing evaluation for autologous hematopoietic stem cell collection. Peripheral blood is sampled following mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The laboratory performs a flow cytometry-based enumeration to count total CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells in the specimen to determine adequacy for collection and to time apheresis. Results guide the clinical team on whether to proceed with apheresis, repeat mobilization, or administer plerixafor. Typical workflow: order placed by hematology/oncology; phlebotomy collects peripheral blood into appropriate anticoagulant tubes; specimen transported to the clinical laboratory; technologist performs flow cytometric staining for CD34 and viable cell gating; analyst runs acquisition, counts CD34+ events, calculates cells/µL and total yield estimates; report released to ordering provider. Typical site of service: hospital-based outpatient oncology infusion center, ambulatory phlebotomy lab, or hospital clinical laboratory.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When reporting only the professional component of a laboratory service performed by a pathologist or laboratory physician (if applicable separate reporting applies).
`TC`	Technical component	When reporting only the technical component performed by the laboratory facility without the professional interpretation.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	When the same CD34 enumeration is repeated on the same day to verify results or due to invalid initial run.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	When specimens are sent to an outside reference laboratory for testing and billing distinctions are required.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When another distinct laboratory procedure or service is performed on the same date and requires separation (apply cautiously per LCD/NCD guidance).
`52`	Reduced services	When the test is partially reduced or not fully completed due to inadequate specimen volume or partial processing.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When testing was started but discontinued due to technical issues or specimen compromise.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Rarely used; when work or complexity substantially exceeds typical for CD34 enumeration (supporting documentation required).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician or provider	Use `91` for lab tests per CMS; if local payer accepts `76` for repeats, it may indicate repeated service by same entity (verify payer policy).
`90`	Duplicate entry removed (already listed)	`90` is included above; use as indicated for outside lab reporting.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Hematology & Oncology	Hematologists/oncologists order and interpret CD34 counts for stem cell collection.
2080P0207X	Clinical Pathology	Pathologists and clinical laboratory directors oversee test validation and result sign-out.
382T00000X	Transfusion Medicine	Specialists involved when coordinating apheresis collections and cellular therapy logistics.
1835S0202X	Laboratory Technician/Technologist	Medical laboratory scientists and flow cytometry technologists perform the assay.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C92.0`	Acute myelogenous leukemia not having achieved remission	CD34 counts used to plan stem cell mobilization and collection in leukemia patients.
`C91.10`	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type, not having achieved remission	Hematologic malignancies where stem cell collection may be considered; CD34 monitoring guides collection timing.
`D47.Z2`	Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder	Cellular therapy contexts where CD34 enumeration may be required for graft assessment or autologous collections.
`Z31.84`	Encounter for fertility preservation	CD34 counts can be relevant when preserving hematopoietic stem cells prior to gonadotoxic therapy.
`Z15.01`	Genetic susceptibility to malignant neoplasm of breast — (placeholder)	Noted as less typical; CD34 enumeration generally used in hematologic malignancy and transplant settings.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`86367`	Immunohematology and blood banking procedure; CD34 (stem cell) count	Primary procedure: enumeration of CD34+ stem cells in a patient specimen.
`86356`	Immunohematology and blood banking; CD34 enumeration by flow cytometry (alternate code)	Alternative coding sometimes used for CD34 testing depending on payer or technique; relates as an alternate method of enumeration.
`88184`	Flow cytometry, cell surface markers, per specimen; single platform absolute count	Performed when flow cytometric absolute counting methods are used to quantify CD34+ cells; technically related to `86367` when platform-specific code applies.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Preceding procedure: blood draw required to obtain specimen for CD34 testing.
`36514`	Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted catheter for apheresis	Performed when central venous access is required for stem cell apheresis following adequate CD34 counts.