Summary & Overview

CPT 86747: Parvovirus Antibody Immunoassay, Serum

CPT code 86747 represents a laboratory immunoassay performed on patient serum to detect antibodies to parvovirus. This serologic test is clinically important for diagnosing recent or past parvovirus infection, assessing immune status, and guiding obstetric, pediatric, and immunocompromised patient management. Nationally, accurate coding and appropriate use of antibody testing affect surveillance, clinical decision-making, and laboratory billing integrity.

Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for parvovirus antibody testing, typical sites of service, and common billing modifiers associated with laboratory services. The publication also outlines benchmark considerations, coding guidance highlights, and relevant policy updates that influence coverage and reimbursement for serologic immunoassays.

This summary provides actionable clarity on what CPT code 86747 denotes, why the test matters in patient care pathways, and which national payers are commonly involved in coverage decisions. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare86747CPTParvovirusImmunoassaySerologyLaboratoryMedical BillingDiagnostic Testing

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 86747 describes an immunoassay performed by a laboratory analyst to evaluate a patient’s serum for antibodies to parvovirus. This service is a serologic antibody test intended to detect immune response to parvovirus infection.

Service type: Laboratory serology / immunoassay
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

Data not available in the input for payers, taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A patient (often an adult or child) presents to an outpatient clinic or emergency department with acute febrile illness, rash, arthralgia, or signs suggestive of recent viral exposure. The clinician suspects parvovirus B19 infection (for example, erythema infectiosum in children, transient aplastic crisis in patients with hemolytic anemias, or arthropathy in adults) and orders serologic testing. A phlebotomy technician collects a serum sample; the specimen is sent to the clinical laboratory. A medical laboratory scientist or technologist performs an immunoassay to detect IgM and/or IgG antibodies to parvovirus using automated or manual platforms. The lab documents assay performed, results (reactive, nonreactive, equivocal), and interpretive comments (e.g., acute infection suggested by positive IgM). Results are reported back to the ordering provider and integrated into the patient’s electronic health record for clinical decision-making, such as counseling pregnant patients about fetal risk or managing patients with hematologic complications.

Coding Specifications

The following modifier codes are the most clinically relevant to 86747 and reflect common billing scenarios for laboratory immunoassays performed on serum samples.

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician/interpretive component for the immunoassay (rare for automated lab tests where interpretation is billed separately).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory performing the assay) without professional interpretation.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the performing laboratory is an outside reference lab and billing must indicate outsourced testing.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when the exact same test is repeated on the same specimen or a new specimen to confirm unexpected or discrepant results.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when this immunoassay is a distinct service from other laboratory tests performed the same day and payer-specific bundling rules require separation.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the assay was partially performed or a limited panel was run compared with the full test procedure.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if testing was initiated but discontinued for documented clinical reasons prior to completion.
`90`	Reference laboratory (duplicate entry avoided)	Use when the test is sent to an external reference lab for performance; indicates technical component billed by a different entity.
`Q4`	CLIA waived test performed in waived setting	Use if the specific immunoassay is CLIA-waived and performed in a waived setting; documents waiver-level testing.
`91`	Repeat test (duplicate entry avoided)	Use when rerun for quality control or verification; indicates repetition.

Provider taxonomies commonly associated with performance, ordering, or interpretation of 86747:

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Pathology	Clinical pathologists oversee laboratory testing and result interpretation.
2080P0106X	Clinical Laboratory	Medical laboratory scientists/technologists performing assays and reporting results.
207L00000X	Infectious Disease	Infectious disease specialists order and interpret serologic testing for viral infections.
207Q00000X	Pediatrics	Pediatricians commonly order parvovirus serology for children with rash or febrile illness.
207Q00000X-OB	Maternal-Fetal Medicine (use general OB/GYN taxonomy if not available)	Obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists order testing for pregnant patients concerned about parvovirus exposure.

Related Diagnoses

No ICD-10 codes were provided in the input. Common ICD-10 codes associated with parvovirus antibody testing are listed below.

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`B19.5`	Parvovirus infection, unspecified	Direct diagnosis code for parvovirus infection; indicates clinical suspicion prompting serology.
`B08.8`	Other specified viral infections of the skin and mucous membranes	Used when rash is present and viral etiology, including parvovirus, is considered.
`D59.0`	Autoimmune hemolytic anemia	Patients with hemolytic disorders may develop transient aplastic crisis from parvovirus B19; testing is clinically relevant.
`D64.81`	Anemia due to chronic blood loss	Hematologic abnormalities prompting evaluation including parvovirus serology in select scenarios.
`R50.9`	Fever, unspecified	Fever without source often prompts viral serology including parvovirus in appropriate clinical contexts.
`R21`	Rash and other nonspecific skin eruption	Rash, particularly erythematous facial rash in children, is an indication for parvovirus antibody testing.
`Z34.90`	Encounter for supervision of normal pregnancy, unspecified trimester	Pregnant patients with exposure or symptoms may be tested to assess fetal risk.

Related CPT Codes

The input did not list related CPT codes. Commonly performed codes alongside 86747 in clinical workflows are listed below.

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80053`	Comprehensive metabolic panel	Routine chemistry panel often ordered concurrently to assess overall patient status when infection or systemic illness is suspected.
`81025`	Urine pregnancy test, by automated instrument	Often performed for women of childbearing potential prior to interpreting parvovirus risk in pregnancy.
`86408`	Varicella zoster virus antibody; IgM	Other viral serologies that may be ordered in differential diagnosis of rash/arthropathy alongside parvovirus serology.
`86631`	Rubella antibody; IgM	Serologic testing for other congenital/fetal risk viruses often ordered in pregnant patients or those with rash.
`88112`	Cytopathology, smears (e.g., if bone marrow evaluation indicated)	In patients with hematologic complications (eg, aplastic crisis), additional laboratory/cytology testing may be performed.