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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTransfusion Medicine ProceduresCPT cpt-86860-rbc-elution-immunohematology-blood-bank
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    CPT 86860: RBC Elution for Antibody Detection

    CPT code 86860 describes a laboratory procedure in which an analyst performs an RBC elution to remove and recover antibodies bound to a patient’s red blood cells for subsequent identification; this is a blood bank/immunohematology service typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital transfusion service and reported for testing that isolates antibodies from erythrocytes for further serologic analysis.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hematology - Adzynma, Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancer, Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverage.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A hospitalized adult patient with a recent positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and a suspected immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is referred to the transfusion service for evaluation. The laboratory receives a blood specimen and performs an RBC elution (CPT 86860) to dissociate and recover antibodies bound to the patient’s red blood cells for identification. Typical workflow: specimen accessioning → DAT reviewed → elution performed by a laboratory technologist or medical laboratory scientist → eluate tested against a panel of reagent red cells to identify autoantibody or alloantibody specificity → results reported to transfusion medicine/hematology and the clinical team to guide transfusion compatibility decisions.

    Typical site of service is an inpatient hospital laboratory or an independent clinical reference laboratory supporting hospital-based transfusion services. The typical patient scenario includes symptomatic hemolysis (jaundice, falling hemoglobin, elevated LDH, increased indirect bilirubin) or serologic investigation after a transfusion reaction or during prenatal antibody screening when bound antibodies are suspected.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86860Elution, red blood cell antibody recovery by laboratory analystPrimary procedure: RBC elution to remove and recover antibodies bound to patient RBCs for identification.
    86900Crossmatch, serologic; major and minor crossmatch for each unit requestedPerformed after antibody identification to ensure compatibility of donor units for transfusion.
    87002Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic onlyPerformed selectively if infection or sepsis is a concern in a febrile transfusion reaction workup (used cautiously in context).
    88184Immunoassay for infectious agents, qualitative or semiquantitative; multiple-step technique, performed by laboratoryMay be performed in parallel if antibody specificity requires additional immunologic confirmation (institution dependent).
    86850Blood typing; ABO (forward and reverse)Performed routinely as part of pretransfusion testing and correlates with elution findings.

    If additional specific codes are required by a payer for professional vs technical components, apply TC or 26 modifiers per policy.

    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…
    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…
    92Modifier 92 (Alternative Laboratory Platform Testing) is used when laboratory tests are performed with single‑use, disposable, portable kits or transportable instruments. The AMA defines it for tests…- Use modifier 92 when a laboratory test is performed using a single‑use, disposable analytical device or kit (an alternative laboratory platform) that is portable and may be taken to or near the…
    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
    390200000X
    208M00000X
    207RG0300X
    1835P0200X
    207WX0110X
    204E00000X
    246ZB0301X
    261QH0700X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    D50.9Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified
    D56.1Beta thalassemia
    D63.1Anemia in chronic kidney disease
    D64.9Anemia, unspecified
    D66Hereditary factor VIII deficiency
    D67Hereditary factor IX deficiency
    D68.9Coagulation defect, unspecified
    D69.0Allergic purpura
    D69.3Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
    D69.6Thrombocytopenia, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hematology - AdzynmaCigna2026-10-15
    Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancerselect_health2026-10-01
    Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) CoverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Factor VIII ProductsCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-86850-RBC-ANTIBODY-SCREENING

    CPT 86850: Screening Test for Non‑A/B Red Blood Cell Antibodies

    CPT-86870-RBC-ANTIBODY-IDENTIFICATION-IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY

    CPT 86870: Antibody Identification to Red Blood Cells

    CPT-86880-DIRECT-ANTIGLOBULIN-TEST-DAT-COOMBS

    CPT 86880: Direct Antihuman Globulin (Coombs) Test

    CPT-86885-INDIRECT-ANTIGLOBULIN-COOMBS-TEST

    CPT 86885: Indirect Antiglobulin (Coombs) Test for Serum Antibodies

    CPT-86886-INDIRECT-ANTIGLOBULIN-COOMBS-TEST-SERIAL-DILUTIONS

    CPT 86886: Indirect Antihuman Globulin (Coombs) Test

    CPT-86890-AUTOLOGOUS-BLOOD-COLLECTION-PROCESSING-STORAGE

    CPT 86890: Autologous Blood Collection, Processing, and Storage

    CPT-86891-INTRAOPERATIVE-BLOOD-SALVAGE-AUTOTRANSFUSION

    CPT 86891: Intraoperative Blood Salvage (Cell Salvage)

    CPT-86900-ABO-BLOOD-TYPING-SERUM-PLASMA

    CPT 86900: ABO Blood Typing Using Serum or Plasma

    CPT-86901-RH-BLOOD-GROUP-TYPING-SEROLOGIC-PLASMA-SERUM

    CPT 86901: Rh Blood Group Serologic Typing, Serum/Plasma

    CPT-86902-ANTIGEN-SCREENING-DONOR-BLOOD-UNIT

    CPT 86902: Antigen Screen of Donor Blood Unit

    Showing 1–10 of 38

    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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