CPT code 86617 represents a lab immunoassay used to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi and is typically performed after an initial positive screening test for Lyme disease. This confirmatory serologic assay matters nationally because accurate laboratory confirmation guides clinical diagnosis, impacts public health reporting for tickborne disease surveillance, and influences payer coverage and utilization patterns for infectious disease testing.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for when CPT code 86617 is used, typical sites of service, and the role of this test in the diagnostic pathway for suspected Lyme disease. The publication also summarizes typical modifiers reported with laboratory services and highlights areas where national policy or coding guidance can affect billing and reimbursement workflows.

This content is written for a national audience and is intended to inform coding professionals, laboratory managers, and payer policy staff about the clinical and billing context of CPT code 86617. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.