How To Use CPT Code 86008

CPT 86008 describes the quantitative or semiquantitative analysis of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) using a recombinant or purified allergen component. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 86008?

CPT 86008 is used to analyze a patient’s specimen for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) using a recombinant or purified allergen component. This test provides a quantitative or semiquantitative result for each specific purified allergen component tested. It is commonly ordered by healthcare providers to help determine the exact allergenic component causing an allergic reaction in patients suspected of having allergies to food, drugs, or environmental agents.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 86008 is: ‘Allergen specific IgE; quantitative or semiquantitative, recombinant or purified component, each.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs the technical steps to detect the presence of purified allergen component-specific IgE in the patient’s serum.
2. The analyst mixes the patient’s serum with a specific purified antigen or allergen.
3. If the patient’s serum contains IgE antibodies for the specific allergen, a reaction occurs, binding the antigen or allergen to the IgE antibodies.
4. The analyst adds a reagent that changes color if the antigen-antibody complex is present, providing a quantitative or semiquantitative result based on the color change.
5. This test can be performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or any immunoassay method.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 86008 is typically ordered for patients suspected of having allergies to specific allergenic components. It is important to note that this code is specifically used for testing purified allergen components, not crude allergen extracts. Providers may order this test to identify the exact allergenic component causing an allergic reaction in patients with suspected allergies to food, drugs, or environmental agents.

5. When to use CPT code 86008

CPT code 86008 should be used when a healthcare provider orders a quantitative or semiquantitative analysis of allergen-specific IgE using a recombinant or purified allergen component. This code is appropriate when testing each specific purified allergen component. It should not be used for testing crude allergen extracts or for other types of allergy tests, such as percutaneous tests using allergenic extracts.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 86008, the following documentation is required:

• Indication of the suspected allergy and the need for allergen-specific IgE testing
• Specific purified allergen component tested
• Date of the test
• Quantitative or semiquantitative result obtained
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 86008, ensure that the test is performed using a recombinant or purified allergen component and provides a quantitative or semiquantitative result. It is important to note that this code should not be reported for testing crude allergen extracts or for other types of allergy tests. Some payers may also separately reimburse for specimen collection using a code such as 36415.

8. Historical information

CPT code 86008 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2018. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A patient suspected of having a peanut allergy undergoes allergen-specific IgE testing using a purified peanut allergen component (CPT 86008).
2. A healthcare provider orders allergen-specific IgE testing using recombinant cat allergen components for a patient with suspected cat allergies (CPT 86008).
3. A patient with suspected drug allergies undergoes allergen-specific IgE testing using purified allergen components for common drugs (CPT 86008).
4. Allergen-specific IgE testing is performed using purified grass pollen allergen components for a patient with suspected seasonal allergies (CPT 86008).
5. A healthcare provider orders allergen-specific IgE testing using recombinant dust mite allergen components for a patient with suspected dust mite allergies (CPT 86008).
6. Allergen-specific IgE testing is performed using purified mold allergen components for a patient with suspected mold allergies (CPT 86008).
7. A patient with suspected shellfish allergies undergoes allergen-specific IgE testing using purified shellfish allergen components (CPT 86008).
8. Allergen-specific IgE testing is performed using recombinant tree pollen allergen components for a patient with suspected tree pollen allergies (CPT 86008).
9. A healthcare provider orders allergen-specific IgE testing using purified weed pollen allergen components for a patient with suspected weed pollen allergies (CPT 86008).
10. Allergen-specific IgE testing is performed using recombinant insect venom allergen components for a patient with suspected insect venom allergies (CPT 86008).