How To Use CPT Code 86077
CPT 86077 describes the services provided by a blood bank physician for difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s), including interpretation and a written report. 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 86077?
CPT 86077 can be used to describe the services provided by a blood bank physician for difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s). This code is used when the lab analyst performs a cross match that requires interpretation and a written report from the blood bank physician due to the complexity of the procedure, such as irregular antibodies or other abnormalities.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 86077 is: ‘Blood bank physician services; difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s), interpretation and written report.’
3. Procedure
- The lab analyst performs a cross match of a specimen that requires interpretation and a written report from the blood bank physician due to a difficult cross match, evaluation of irregular antibodies, or both.
- The blood bank physician interprets the results of the cross match and provides a written report.
4. Qualifying circumstances
Patients who require a difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s) may qualify for CPT 86077. This may include patients who are in need of a blood transfusion or tissue transplant and have unique antigens or antibodies that make the cross match challenging. The services of a blood bank physician are necessary to interpret the results and provide a written report.
5. When to use CPT code 86077
CPT code 86077 should be used when a blood bank physician is involved in the difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s) for a patient. This code should be reported for each instance where the physician’s services are required for interpretation and a written report.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT 86077, the following documentation is required:
- Explanation of the need for a difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s)
- Results of the cross match and any irregular antibodies identified
- Interpretation of the results by the blood bank physician
- Written report provided by the blood bank physician
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT 86077, ensure that the services are provided by a blood bank physician for a difficult cross match and/or evaluation of irregular antibody(s). This code should not be reported with other codes related to transfusion reactions or deviations from standard blood banking procedures. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting blood bank physician services.
8. Historical information
CPT 86077 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.
9. Examples
- A patient requires a blood transfusion, but the cross match reveals irregular antibodies that make finding a compatible match challenging. The blood bank physician performs an evaluation and provides a written report.
- A patient is in need of a tissue transplant, but the cross match shows difficulties due to unique antigens. The blood bank physician interprets the results and provides a written report.
- A lab analyst is unable to successfully cross match a patient’s blood due to irregular antibodies. The blood bank physician is consulted to evaluate the situation and provide a written report.
- A patient with a history of transfusion reactions requires a difficult cross match to investigate the cause. The blood bank physician interprets the results and provides a written report.
- A patient’s blood needs to be cross matched for a potential transfusion, but the presence of irregular antibodies makes the process challenging. The blood bank physician performs an evaluation and provides a written report.
