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    OpenPayerBilling CodesTransfusion Medicine ProceduresCPT cpt-86985-blood-product-splitting-lab-processing
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    CPT 86985: Split Unit of Blood or Blood Products

    CPT code 86985 describes the laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst splits a unit of blood or blood products for preparation or allocation; the service is a blood product processing task typically performed in a clinical laboratory or blood bank setting and recorded as a discrete lab service for transfusion support.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only), Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A blood bank laboratory technician performs 86985 when a single collected unit of donor blood or blood components must be physically divided into smaller aliquots for transfusion into multiple recipients or for specialized component therapy. A typical scenario: a community hospital receives a single-donor whole blood unit that must be split into two pediatric aliquots for two neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit; the lab verifies donor unit identifiers, inspects bag integrity, performs aseptic sampling, uses a sterile docking device to split the unit into two satellite bags, labels each aliquot with unique unit numbers and expiry times, updates the transfusion service inventory, and documents the procedure in the blood bank record. The procedure is performed in the hospital blood bank or centralized transfusion service area under controlled sterile conditions. It is a laboratory service supporting transfusion therapy rather than a direct patient encounter; the primary payors for associated claims follow institutional billing policies for blood bank procedures and may include Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and BUCA depending on facility contracts.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    86985The lab analyst splits a unit of blood or blood products.Primary procedure describing the physical division of a collected blood unit into aliquots or components for multiple transfusions.
    86999Unlisted transfusion service procedureUsed when a specific blood bank service related to component manipulation is performed but not represented by an existing code; may be reported when additional manipulation beyond splitting is required.
    36430Transfusion of blood or blood componentsRepresents the clinical transfusion event that may occur after the blood unit is split; documents administration to the patient.
    38220Therapeutic apheresis; peripheral blood stem cell collection (separate example of blood component handling)Related laboratory/collection procedures involving blood product processing coordinated with blood bank services.
    86580Blood typing, ABO (if performed separately)Pre-transfusion testing commonly performed before split units are issued for transfusion.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    246Q00000XPathology Specialist/Technologist(1) An individual educated and trained in clinical chemistry, microbiology or other biological sciences; and in gathering data on the blood, tissues, …
    2471V0106XVascular-Interventional Technology Radiologic TechnologistA radiologic technologist who specializes in vascular interventional and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized …
    207ZB0001XBlood Banking & Transfusion Medicine PhysicianA physician who specializes in blood banking/transfusion medicine is responsible for the maintenance of an adequate blood supply, blood donor and pati…
    310500000XMental Illness Intermediate Care FacilityA nursing facility that provides an intermediate level of nursing care to individuals whose functional abilities are significantly compromise by menta…
    225XR0403XDriving and Community Mobility Occupational TherapistOccupational therapists can optimize and prolong an older driver's ability to drive safely and ease the transition to other forms of transportation if…
    222Q00000XDevelopmental TherapistA Developmental Therapist is a person qualified by completion of an approved program in Developmental Therapy and where applicable credentialed by the…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Antibody-Drug ConjugatesPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell TherapyColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell TherapyAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for New Jersey Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Ohio Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt) Medical Benefit Drug PolicyUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    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-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

    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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