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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTissue Typing Immunological ProceduresCPT cpt-86826-hla-crossmatch-flow-cytometry-based-compatibility-test
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    CPT 86826: HLA Crossmatch by Non-Cytotoxic Method

    CPT code 86826 describes a laboratory crossmatch performed between donor lymphocytes and a recipient serum sample or dilution after the initial specimen to assess human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility using non-cytotoxic methods such as flow cytometry; service type: HLA compatibility testing / immunogenetics assay; typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital immunology lab.

    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 typical patient is a 45-year-old individual awaiting allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for aplastic anemia. Pre-transplant compatibility testing is ordered by the transplant team. The clinical workflow begins when the donor and recipient blood specimens are collected in the transfusion/lab draw unit. The immunogenetics laboratory receives the recipient serum and donor lymphocyte sample. A laboratory analyst performs an HLA crossmatch using a non-cytotoxic method such as flow cytometry to detect anti-donor antibodies bound to donor lymphocytes. Results are reviewed by the immunogenetics supervisor and reported to the transplant physician and blood bank. If a positive crossmatch is identified, the transplant team and blood bank document incompatibility and consider alternate donor selection or desensitization protocols. If negative, compatibility is documented and used to proceed with transplant planning and final blood product selection. The typical site of service is an accredited hospital immunology/transfusion laboratory or reference immunogenetics laboratory supporting inpatient and outpatient transplant programs.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86900Crossmatch; major and minor, serologicSerologic crossmatch performed when cytotoxic or gel-based antibody detection is used; alternative/adjunct to flow crossmatch
    86850Tissue typing; HLA, low-resolution (e.g., serological typing)Preceding or concurrent HLA typing to identify donor/recipient antigen profile prior to crossmatch
    86816HLA tissue typing; low to intermediate resolution, molecular typingMolecular HLA typing often performed before or alongside crossmatch to determine allele-level compatibility
    86838Antibody detection by solid phase, each class of antibody (e.g., IgG, IgM)Complementary testing to detect donor-specific antibodies in recipient serum that inform crossmatch interpretation
    88184Flow cytometry, cell cycle, DNA analysis (flow) — ancillary code often used for flow-based assaysFlow cytometry platform services and technical operations that may be billed in conjunction with flow crossmatch processes

    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…
    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…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RG0100X
    207L00000X
    207LP2900X
    207P00000X
    208D00000X
    207RN0300X
    172P00000X
    207XS0114X

    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-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

    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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