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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTissue Typing Immunological ProceduresCPT cpt-86806-serologic-crossmatch-donor-lymphocyte-recipient-serum
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    CPT 86806: Lymphocyte Crossmatch, Donor Lymphocytes with Recipient Serum

    CPT code 86806 describes a laboratory lymphocyte crossmatch in which donor lymphocytes are mixed with recipient serum and observed microscopically for cell lysis to assess transplant incompatibility; this is a serologic crossmatch service typically performed in a clinical immunology or hospital laboratory setting as part of pre-transplant compatibility testing.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease, Immunopharmacologic Monitoring of Therapeutic Serum Antibodies, Immune Cell Function Assay.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old male with end-stage renal disease is being evaluated for a living-donor kidney transplant. The transplant team orders a crossmatch to assess immunologic compatibility between the prospective donor and recipient. The laboratory receives a sample of donor lymphocytes and recipient serum. The lab analyst performs a complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch by mixing donor lymphocytes with recipient serum, incubating with complement, and microscopically observing for cell lysis. A positive cytotoxic reaction indicates preformed recipient antibodies against donor HLA and suggests transplant incompatibility, which informs organ allocation and immunosuppression planning. Typical workflow steps include sample collection and labeling, specimen accessioning, cell preparation, performing the cytotoxicity assay, microscopic read and documentation, and result reporting to the transplant clinician and transplant coordinator.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86806Test mixing donor lymphocytes with recipient serum and microscopic observation for cell lysis (complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch)Primary assay for detecting preformed cytotoxic donor-specific antibodies prior to transplant.
    86900Crossmatch test, lymphocyte (T-cell) cytotoxicity testOften billed for similar or ancillary T-cell crossmatch techniques; may be used when specifying cell population.
    86901Crossmatch test, lymphocyte (B-cell) cytotoxicity testB-cell crossmatch performed alongside T-cell testing to detect humoral sensitization.
    88148Flow cytometric analysis (transplant) (Not provided in input)Data not available in the input.
    87205Culture or other microbiology tests (Not provided in input)Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    207VG0400X
    207RI0008X
    335G00000X
    320900000X
    376G00000X
    2084P0804X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C81.90Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified site
    C91.00Acute lymphoblastic leukemia not having achieved remission
    C92.90Myeloid leukemia, unspecified, not having achieved remission
    D47.Z9Other specified neoplasms of uncertain behavior of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue
    D61.9Aplastic anemia, unspecified
    D64.9Anemia, unspecified
    D72.829Elevated white blood cell count, unspecified
    T86.10Unspecified complication of kidney transplant
    T86.11Kidney transplant rejection
    T86.12Kidney transplant failure

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Immunology/Rheumatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Immunopharmacologic Monitoring of Therapeutic Serum AntibodiesOscar Health2026-10-01
    Immune Cell Function AssayOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic DiseaseBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Inflammatory Conditions - Orencia Intravenous Preferred Specialty Management Policy for Legacy Prescription Drug ListsCigna2026-09-01
    Secukinumab (Cosentyx) — intravenous (Medicare Advantage)blue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-01
    Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) — indications and authorization criteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-28
    Infliximab Intravenous Products Preferred Specialty Management PolicyCigna2026-08-15
    Kineret (anakinra) — Coverage CriteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-14
    Actimmune (interferon gamma-1b) — Prior Authorization and Coverage Criteriameridian_health_plan_of_michigan2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-86805-TRANSPLANT-LYMPHOCYTE-CROSSMATCH-COMPATIBILITY-TEST

    CPT 86805: Lymphocyte Crossmatch with Recipient Serum

    CPT-86807-HLA-ANTIBODY-SCREENING-TRANSPLANT-COMPATIBILITY

    CPT 86807: HLA Antibody Percent Reactive Screening

    CPT-86808-HLA-PERCENT-REACTIVE-ANTIBODY-SCREENING

    CPT 86808: HLA Percent Reactive Antibody Screen

    CPT-86812-HLA-CLASS-I-SINGLE-ANTIGEN-SEROLOGIC-TEST

    CPT 86812: HLA Class I Antigen Serologic Typing

    CPT-86813-HLA-CLASS-I-SEROLOGIC-TYPING

    CPT 86813: HLA Class I Serologic Typing (A, B, C)

    CPT-86816-HLA-CLASS-II-SEROLOGIC-SINGLE-ANTIGEN-TYPING-DR-DQ

    CPT 86816: HLA Class II Single Antigen Serology

    CPT-86817-HLA-CLASS-II-DR-DQ-SEROLOGIC-IDENTIFICATION

    CPT 86817: HLA Class II DR/DQ Serologic Typing

    CPT-86821-HLA-LYMPHOCYTE-CROSSMATCH-COMPATIBILITY-TEST

    CPT 86821: Lymphocyte Crossmatch for HLA Incompatibility

    CPT-86825-HLA-CROSSMATCH-FLOW-CYTOMETRY

    CPT 86825: HLA Crossmatch by Non-Cytotoxic Method

    CPT-86826-HLA-CROSSMATCH-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-BASED-COMPATIBILITY-TEST

    CPT 86826: HLA Crossmatch by Non-Cytotoxic Method

    Showing 1–10 of 19

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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