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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesQualitative or Semiquantitative ImmunoassaysCPT cpt-86609-immunoassay-antibodies-to-specific-bacterium
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    CPT 86609: Immunoassay for Antibodies to Other Bacteria

    CPT code 86609 describes an immunoassay performed by a laboratory analyst to detect antibodies in a patient’s blood directed against a specific bacterium that is not represented by a more specific CPT code; the service is a clinical laboratory serologic test typically performed in a diagnostic laboratory or hospital laboratory setting and reported as an unlisted/specified bacterial antibody immunoassay.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Diagnosis of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance, Allergen Testing, Allergen Testing.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old patient presents to an outpatient clinic with a 2-week history of persistent fever, malaise, and a localized swollen lymph node after recent travel and possible animal exposure. The ordering clinician requests serologic testing to evaluate for antibodies to a less-common bacterial pathogen not represented by a more specific immunoassay code. A phlebotomy draw is performed in the clinic or ambulatory lab (typical site of service: outpatient/office-based laboratory). The blood specimen is sent to the clinical laboratory, where a medical technologist or lab analyst performs an immunoassay to detect patient antibodies directed against the specific bacterium. Results are reported to the ordering provider who interprets serology in the context of clinical findings and may order follow-up testing or treatment if serology is supportive of infection. Billing for the laboratory immunoassay uses 86609 to report an antibody immunoassay for a bacterial agent not categorized under a more specific CPT code; the facility or laboratory bills the technical component and the performing laboratory documents specimen handling, assay method, and result interpretation as required for laboratory billing and medical record documentation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureOften performed immediately prior to 86609 to obtain the blood specimen for the immunoassay.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from physician office to laboratoryMay be used by some payors when specimen handling/transport incurs an additional charge in the clinical workflow.
    81025Urinalysis, non-automated, with microscopyMay be performed in parallel when systemic bacterial or other infections are evaluated, depending on clinical presentation.
    86701Antibody; rubella (if specific viral serology required)Represents a more specific immunoassay example — used to illustrate that 86609 is for bacteria not covered by more specific codes.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    2278P1005XPulmonary Rehabilitation Certified Respiratory TherapistThe respiratory therapist can assist the chronic pulmonary patient in returning to an optimal role in society by providing an effective program. It i…
    103TC1900XCounseling PsychologistA psychologist who specializes in general practice and health service. It focuses on how people function both personally and in their relationships at…
    163WX1500XOstomy Care Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    207UN0902XNuclear Imaging & Therapy PhysicianA nuclear medicine physician who specializes in nuclear imaging and therapy.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A20.9Plague, unspecified
    A21.9Tularemia, unspecified
    A23.2Brucellosis due to Brucella suis
    A26.9Erysipeloid, unspecified
    A28.8Other specified zoonotic bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
    A32.9Listeriosis, unspecified
    A43.9Nocardiosis, unspecified
    A44.9Bartonellosis, unspecified
    A48.1Legionnaires' disease
    A49.1Streptococcal infection, unspecified site

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Allergy/Clinical Immunology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Hereditary Angioedema - EkterlyCigna2026-08-15
    Omalizumab products (Xolair, Omlyclo) coveragePremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Omalizumab Products (Xolair, Omlyclo) coveragePremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Omalizumab ProductsPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Allergy Testinguniverahealthcare2026-07-16
    Omalizumab (Xolair) and related biologics coverageMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-07-01
    Xolair (omalizumab) (Subcutaneous) — Concomitant therapy restrictions and dosing guidanceeocco2026-07-01

    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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