Summary & Overview

CPT 86708: Hepatitis A Total Antibody Immunoassay

CPT code 86708 describes a laboratory immunoassay that detects total antibodies to hepatitis A virus in a patient’s serum. This serologic test is used to determine prior exposure or immune response to hepatitis A and is widely used in diagnostic workflows for suspected infection, immunity screening, and public health surveillance. Nationally, accurate coding of this test matters for laboratory reporting, epidemiologic tracking, and appropriate payer reimbursement for infectious disease diagnostics.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for the test, typical sites of service where the assay is performed, and common billing considerations tied to test classification and lab service lines. When present, benchmarking and policy updates affecting laboratory diagnostics are summarized to clarify payer coverage patterns and coding practice.

This publication provides concise guidance on the clinical intent of the code, operational settings where the test is delivered, and the types of information clinicians and billing teams should expect to find in payer policies and lab formularies. Data not supplied in the input (such as specific payer reimbursement rates, associated taxonomies, or ICD-10 linkage) are identified as unavailable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare86708CPTHepatitis ASerologyImmunoassayLaboratoryInfectious DiseaseDiagnostic Test

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 86708 describes an immunoassay for detection of total antibodies to hepatitis A virus in serum. The test detects total anti-hepatitis A antibodies (not separated into immunoglobulin classes) and is performed by a clinical laboratory analyst using validated serologic methods.

Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test — infectious disease serology

Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 34-year-old outpatient presents to a primary care clinic with a recent history of jaundice and fatigue after international travel. The clinician orders serologic testing to assess past exposure or immunity to hepatitis A virus. A phlebotomy technician draws a serum sample and sends it to the clinical laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs an immunoassay for total anti-hepatitis A antibodies to detect prior infection or vaccination-induced immunity. Results are reported to the ordering clinician; if total antibodies are positive, the clinician interprets past exposure or immunity and documents in the patient record. Typical workflow includes specimen collection in the outpatient clinic or hospital blood-draw station, transport to the clinical laboratory, accessioning, performance of the automated immunoassay, verification by a laboratory scientist, and result reporting into the electronic health record.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the interpretation/professional component if separated from the technical component and applicable for laboratory consultation or reporting by a physician.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the test was partially performed or abbreviated from the full protocol for clinical reasons.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if specimen processing was started but the test was discontinued for documented reason.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct lab service when claims processing requires separation from other services on the same date.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside reference laboratory for testing.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when a medically necessary repeat of the same test is performed on the same date to confirm results.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (lab supplies, instrumentation, technologist time) if separated from professional component.
`QW`	CLIA-waived test	Use if the assay performed is CLIA-waived and the payor requires this modifier for appropriate billing.
`CR`	Catastrophic or disaster related	Use when test services are related to a federally-declared disaster and payor requires the modifier.
`91`	Repeat test (alternate use)	Use when an exact repeat test is performed and the repeat must be indicated for payor processing.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208D00000X	Clinical Pathology	Physicians responsible for laboratory oversight and result interpretation.
207K00000X	Family Medicine	Ordering clinicians who commonly request hepatitis serology in outpatient settings.
207Q00000X	Infectious Disease	Specialists who order and interpret hepatitis serologies in complex cases.
208000000X	Clinical Laboratory	Laboratory technologists and directors performing and supervising immunoassays.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`B15.9`	Hepatitis A without hepatic coma	Acute hepatitis A infection is a direct indication for hepatitis A serologic testing to confirm diagnosis.
`Z23`	Encounter for immunization	Pre- or post-vaccination assessment may include testing for hepatitis A antibodies to document immunity in select clinical scenarios.
`R17`	Unspecified jaundice	Jaundice prompts evaluation of hepatic causes including hepatitis A and serologic testing.
`B16.9`	Viral hepatitis A with hepatic coma	Severe presentations may require serologic confirmation of hepatitis A infection.
`Z71.9`	Counseling, unspecified	Counseling related to travel or vaccination may be associated with ordering hepatitis A antibody testing for immunity assessment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80061`	Lipid panel; a common chemistry panel sometimes ordered concurrently with other screening blood tests.	May be ordered on the same specimen or same encounter for preventive care or metabolic assessment.
`81002`	Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent for bilirubin, urobilinogen and others (no microscopy)	May be ordered alongside liver-related testing to evaluate urinary bilirubin in jaundiced patients.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Phlebotomy procedure required to obtain the serum sample for the hepatitis A immunoassay.
`86355`	Hepatitis B surface antibody; immunoassay for quantitative or qualitative HBV surface antibody	Often performed concurrently when assessing viral hepatitis immunity status.
`86709`	Hepatitis B core antibody; immunoassay for total antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen	May be part of a hepatitis serology panel performed with hepatitis A antibody testing.