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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTransfusion Medicine ProceduresCPT cpt-86870-rbc-antibody-identification-immunohematology
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    CPT 86870: Antibody Identification to Red Blood Cells

    CPT code 86870 describes a laboratory immunohematology test for antibody identification that detects and identifies specific antibodies to red blood cells in patient serum; this is a specialized serologic diagnostic service typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital blood bank setting and reported when a lab analyst conducts antibody identification to guide transfusion compatibility and patient management.

    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 28-year-old pregnant woman presents to the outpatient laboratory after a prenatal visit. Her obstetrician ordered an antibody screen because she is blood type O negative and the initial prenatal screen suggested possible red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies. A blood specimen is collected, labeled, and transported to the hospital reference laboratory. The lab analyst performs 86870 to identify specific antibodies in the patient’s serum directed against RBC antigens using indirect antiglobulin testing and antibody identification panels. Results are reviewed and transcribed into the electronic medical record; positive or clinically significant antibody identification triggers communication to the ordering provider, transfusion service notification if the patient may require blood products, and documentation in the prenatal chart for future transfusion planning.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86900Crossmatch, major and minor, serologic; immediate spinPerformed prior to transfusion; may be ordered after 86870 identifies clinically significant antibodies to determine compatibility.
    86901Crossmatch, major and minor, serologic; full antiglobulin (AHG)Used when antibody identified by 86870 requires AHG-phase crossmatch for compatible unit selection.
    87086Culture, bacterial; quantitative colony count, urineData not available in the input.
    88172Cytopathology, slides, rescreening by automated methodData not available in the input.
    86355Antibody; viral, HIV-1 and HIV-2, single assayData not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    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
    207RC0000X
    2080P0207X
    207K00000X
    163WN0003X
    246ZB0500X
    111NR0200X
    163WC1600X
    2084P0005X

    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-86860-RBC-ELUTION-IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY-BLOOD-BANK

    CPT 86860: RBC Elution for Antibody Detection

    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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