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CPT 86902: Antigen Screening of Donor Blood Unit
CPT code 86902 designates a serologic antigen screening test performed by a laboratory analyst who mixes part of a potential donor blood unit with recipient reagent serum to identify reactive antigens. This screening supports safe transfusion practice by identifying antigen incompatibilities that could lead to adverse reactions. Nationally, such pretransfusion testing is a routine component of transfusion safety and pathology services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for use of the code, comparisons to closely related CPT codes for blood typing and Rh testing, and discussion of where the service is typically performed. The content highlights common billing considerations and reporting context for laboratory and hospital settings.
This publication provides benchmarks for utilization and coding relationships, explains clinical indications associated with the code, and outlines administrative context relevant for billing and claims submission. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 86902 describes a laboratory antigen screening procedure in which a lab analyst mixes a portion of a potential donor blood unit with reagent serum from a recipient patient to detect possible reactive antigens. This test is used to screen donor blood for antigen compatibility prior to transfusion.
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Service type: Serologic antigen screening of donor blood units
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial reimbursement for CPT 86902 centers around a BUCA average of $19.20, with Blue Cross Blue Shield showing the highest variability and occasional high outliers. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s interquartile dispersion (P75–P25) is $13.0, markedly wider than UnitedHealth Group’s $3.6 and Aetna’s $1.2, indicating BCBS contracts vary more across regions or networks while Aetna and UnitedHealth Group are comparatively tighter. Cigna’s dispersion is $4.3, placing it between the tightest and widest payers.
Payer medians and means cluster differently: Blue Cross Blue Shield’s median of $28.30 sits well above the BUCA average, while Aetna and UnitedHealth Group medians ($5.00 and $3.80) are below it. Cigna’s median of $5.00 aligns with lower commercial rates but its higher max of $19.50 suggests occasional premium reimbursements. These patterns highlight where commercial reimbursements concentrate and where contract variability is greatest.