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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTissue Typing Immunological ProceduresCPT cpt-86821-hla-lymphocyte-crossmatch-compatibility-test
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    CPT 86821: Lymphocyte Crossmatch for HLA Incompatibility

    CPT code 86821 describes a laboratory lymphocyte crossmatch in which lymphocytes from a transplant recipient and a potential donor are cultured together and observed for a cellular response indicating human leukocyte antigen (HLA) incompatibility; this is a pre-transplant immunogenetics compatibility test typically performed in a clinical laboratory or transplant center's immunology lab as part of donor-recipient compatibility evaluation.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old man with end-stage renal disease is evaluated for a living-related kidney transplant. The transplant coordinator schedules HLA compatibility testing between the intended donor (his sister) and the recipient. Blood samples are collected from both individuals and sent to the immunogenetics laboratory. The lab analyst performs a lymphocyte crossmatch (86821) by co-culturing recipient and donor lymphocytes and observing for a cytotoxic or proliferative response indicating HLA incompatibility. Results are reported to the transplant team to guide immunologic risk assessment and donor selection. Typical workflow steps include sample collection in referenced anticoagulant tubes, specimen accessioning, lymphocyte isolation, cultured crossmatch setup, incubation and monitoring, interpretation, and formal result reporting to the transplant surgeon and nephrology team.

    Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient laboratory or hospital-based specialty immunogenetics laboratory. The service is usually ordered by transplant surgeons, nephrologists, or transplant coordinators prior to transplantation or when evaluating donor–recipient compatibility.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86850Tissue typing; HLA additional typing, each locusPerformed to determine specific HLA alleles; often done before or in conjunction with crossmatch to assess compatibility.
    86816HLA antibody testing, class I or II, specificities detected by single antigen beadsUsed to detect recipient anti-HLA antibodies that may predict crossmatch results and transplant risk.
    86825Lymphocytotoxic crossmatch, complement dependent, each test serumAn alternative crossmatch method (complement-dependent cytotoxicity) that may be performed alongside or instead of cultured lymphocyte methods.
    88360Immunohistochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stainUsed in transplant pathology when evaluating biopsy specimens post-transplant; related in the overall transplant testing pathway.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommon ancillary procedure required to obtain specimens for HLA crossmatch testing.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of 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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207RC0000X
    2081P0004X
    163WE0900X
    125J00000X
    261QM1200X
    385HR2065X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C50.919Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast
    D47.1Chronic myeloproliferative disease
    I12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    I50.9Heart failure, unspecified
    K72.90Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma
    K74.60Unspecified cirrhosis of liver
    N18.5Chronic kidney disease, stage 5
    N18.6End stage renal disease

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    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-86806-SEROLOGIC-CROSSMATCH-DONOR-LYMPHOCYTE-RECIPIENT-SERUM

    CPT 86806: Lymphocyte Crossmatch, Donor Lymphocytes 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-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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