Summary & Overview
CPT 86777: Toxoplasma Antibody Immunoassay, Non-IgM
CPT code 86777 represents a laboratory immunoassay to detect antibodies (excluding IgM) to Toxoplasma in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. This assay helps identify prior exposure or immune response to the Toxoplasma parasite and informs clinical management of suspected toxoplasmosis. As a targeted infectious disease serology test, it is routinely ordered in inpatient and outpatient settings where laboratory diagnostic support for neurologic or systemic symptoms is required.
Key payers addressed in this profile include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find national-context information about clinical indications, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations for this laboratory procedure.
The publication provides benchmarks and interpretive context for laboratory use of this assay, summarizes relevant clinical considerations for interpretation of non-IgM Toxoplasma antibodies, and outlines typical payer coverage patterns where available. Data not available in the input is noted as such. This resource is intended to inform coding, billing, and clinical teams about the role and administrative context of CPT code 86777 at a national level.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 86777 describes an immunoassay performed by a laboratory analyst to detect antibodies (other than IgM) to Toxoplasma in a patient’s serum or cerebrospinal fluid. The test evaluates prior or ongoing exposure to the Toxoplasma parasite and supports clinical assessment of toxoplasmosis.
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic immunoassay
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old pregnant woman presents to an outpatient obstetric clinic after routine prenatal screening detects possible exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Her obstetrician orders serologic testing of maternal serum to evaluate for IgG (non-IgM) antibodies to toxoplasma to determine prior exposure and potential immunity. The clinical workflow: blood is collected via venipuncture and sent to the hospital laboratory or reference lab. A medical laboratory scientist or technologist performs an immunoassay specific for toxoplasma IgG on serum (or cerebrospinal fluid when congenital or central nervous system infection is suspected). Results are reviewed by the laboratory director; the professional component interpretation may be reported by the laboratory physician and the technical component billing captured by the laboratory. Positive IgG with negative IgM suggests prior exposure; seroconversion or low-avidity IgG may prompt follow-up testing, counseling by the obstetrician, and possible infectious disease consultation. In neonatal or neurologic presentations, cerebrospinal fluid testing for toxoplasma antibodies may be ordered as part of a diagnostic panel for congenital or CNS infection.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing for the physician interpretation/professional component of the test separate from the lab's technical work |