Summary & Overview
CPT 86885: Indirect Antiglobulin (Coombs) Test
CPT code 86885 represents the indirect antiglobulin (Coombs) test, a laboratory serologic assay that detects antibodies in patient serum. This test is clinically important for identifying immune-mediated hemolysis, investigating suspected transfusion reactions, and supporting pre-transfusion antibody screening and identification. Nationally, accurate coding and use of 86885 affect laboratory billing, blood bank workflows, and clinical decision-making where antibody detection is required.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication provides a concise overview of clinical context for the test, common places where the service is delivered, and typical billing considerations for laboratory immunohematology services.
Readers will learn the clinical indications for the indirect antiglobulin test, the typical laboratory settings where CPT code 86885 is billed, and the scope of payers relevant for national billing practices. Where available, the report summarizes benchmarks and policy updates affecting laboratory serology coding and reimbursement. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 86885 describes an indirect antiglobulin test (Coombs test) performed by a laboratory analyst to detect antibodies in patient serum. The procedure is a laboratory serologic assay used to identify immune-mediated hemolysis, evaluate transfusion reactions, and assist in antibody identification for blood bank and diagnostic purposes.
Service type: Laboratory serology / immunohematology test
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 28-year-old pregnant woman with a newly identified positive antibody screen on prenatal testing or a patient with unexplained hemolytic anemia. The clinician orders an indirect antiglobulin (Coombs) test (86885) to detect red cell–bound or free circulating IgG antibodies directed against red blood cell antigens. Specimen collection occurs in an outpatient clinic, emergency department, or hospital laboratory: a venous blood sample is drawn into proper anticoagulant (typically EDTA), transported to the clinical laboratory, and accessioned. The medical technologist or lab analyst performs the indirect antiglobulin procedure, incubating patient serum with reagent red cells, washing, and adding antihuman globulin reagent to detect agglutination. Results are reported to the ordering provider and placed in the electronic health record with interpretation (positive/negative and titer or specificity if reflex testing is performed). Common clinical workflows include prenatal antibody screening follow-up, workup of transfusion reactions, pretransfusion compatibility testing, and investigation of immune hemolytic anemia. Turnaround time varies by setting: stat testing in inpatient/emergency contexts vs routine in outpatient prenatal care. Documentation includes the ordered test (86885), specimen source, collection time, test method, result, and any reflex testing or antibody identification that may follow.
Coding Specifications
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