Summary & Overview

CPT 86710: Influenza Antibody Immunoassay, Serum

CPT code 86710 designates a laboratory immunoassay to detect antibodies to influenza virus in patient serum. This test is a diagnostic laboratory procedure used to assess prior exposure or immune response to influenza and is relevant for clinical management, public health surveillance, and laboratory reporting. Nationally, antibody testing for influenza complements molecular and antigen testing in certain clinical scenarios, particularly when evaluating serologic response or retrospective exposure.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the role of this immunoassay in patient evaluation. The publication also summarizes benchmarking and payer coverage considerations where available, notes common billing modifiers when applicable, and outlines areas where input data was not provided.

Intended for billing professionals, laboratory managers, and clinicians, this summary clarifies what CPT code 86710 represents and what to expect regarding clinical use and payer engagement at a national level. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where relevant.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 86710influenza antibodyserologyclinical laboratoryimmunoassaylaboratory billingdiagnostic testinginfectious disease

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 86710 describes an immunoassay performed on patient serum to detect antibodies to influenza virus. The service involves laboratory analysis of a blood-derived specimen to evaluate the patient’s immune response to influenza exposure or infection.

Service type: Clinical laboratory immunoassay
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting. If collected in an ambulatory setting, specimens are sent to a laboratory for processing.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 48-year-old adult presents to an outpatient primary care clinic in late winter with a 5-day history of fever, myalgias, cough, and malaise. The clinician documents suspected influenza infection and orders diagnostic testing. A venous blood sample is collected and sent to the clinical laboratory. In the lab, a medical technologist or lab analyst performs an immunoassay on the patient’s serum to detect antibodies to influenza virus, aiming to identify recent or prior infection or to support epidemiologic surveillance when molecular testing is negative or unavailable. The workflow includes specimen accessioning, serum separation, running the immunoassay (e.g., ELISA or other validated antibody assay), interpretation by the lab analyst, result entry into the laboratory information system, and communication of results to the ordering provider for clinical correlation and potential public health reporting.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting the professional (interpretation) component separate from technical services if the lab separates components.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when this immunoassay is distinct from other services performed the same day and needs to be indicated as separate.
`90`	Reference laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to a reference laboratory for testing.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when the test is repeated on the same date to obtain subsequent results.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when reporting only the technical component (laboratory processing) if billed separately from professional interpretation.
`QW`	CLIA-waived test	Use when the immunoassay performed is CLIA-waived and the performing individual is authorized under that waiver.
`QX`	Performed by independent laboratory technician under CLIA	Use when a CLIA-qualified technician performs the test under appropriate supervision and modifier reporting is required.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when testing was partially reduced or not completed as documented.
`90`	Duplicate entry omitted	(Note: `90` already listed above; use only once.)
`91`	Duplicate entry omitted	(Note: `91` already listed above; use only once.)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`0000C0000X`	Clinical Laboratory/Medical Technologist	Performs and reports immunoassays in hospital or reference labs.
`208000000X`	Pathology	Laboratory directors or pathologists who supervise serologic testing and result interpretation.
`207RC0000X`	Internal Medicine	Ordering clinicians managing patients with suspected influenza.
`207Q00000X`	Family Medicine	Primary care providers who commonly order serologic testing for infectious disease evaluation.
`363L00000X`	Infectious Disease	Specialists ordering and interpreting serologic assays for complex cases or public health investigations.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`J10.1`	Influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations	Common diagnosis when influenza is suspected and serology may support diagnosis in certain clinical contexts.
`J11.1`	Influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations	Used when influenza is clinically diagnosed but the specific virus is not identified; serology may assist retrospective diagnosis.
`R50.9`	Fever, unspecified	Non-specific symptom prompting evaluation including influenza serology when accompanied by respiratory symptoms.
`R05`	Cough	Symptom frequently present with influenza; supports ordering of influenza testing including serology in select cases.
`J00`	Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]	Differential diagnosis; serology may be ordered to distinguish causes in atypical presentations.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Typically performed immediately prior to serum immunoassay to obtain the specimen.
`81025`	Urinalysis, automated, with microscopy	May be ordered as part of a broader infectious workup but not directly related to influenza serology.
`87804`	Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay, influenza virus	Performed when rapid antigen detection is used; may be done instead of or in addition to antibody immunoassay depending on clinical question and timing.
`87502`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (e.g., influenza A/B)	Molecular testing commonly used for acute influenza diagnosis; complements serologic testing when needed for confirmation or epidemiology.
`86710`	Antibody; influenza virus	The immunoassay performed on patient serum to detect antibodies to influenza virus; the primary billed service for serologic detection.