How To Use CPT Code 86317

CPT 86317 describes the quantitation of antibodies to an infectious agent in a patient’s specimen using an immunoassay. 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 86317?

CPT 86317 can be used to quantitate the presence of antibodies to an infectious agent in a patient’s specimen. This code is used when an immunoassay is performed by a lab analyst to detect and measure the level of antibodies in the patient’s blood, serum, or body fluid. The test may involve various steps, such as reacting the specimen with test antigens, incubating the mixture, and interpreting the results as a quantitative value.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 86317 is: ‘Immunoassay for infectious agent antibody, quantitative, not otherwise specified.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient’s specimen, which may include blood, serum, or body fluid.
2. The specimen is tested using an immunoassay method, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
3. The test involves reacting the specimen with test antigens and incubating the mixture.
4. An agent, such as a stain or fluorescent marker, is added to detect the antigen-antibody complex.
5. The lab analyst interprets the results as a quantitative value, indicating the level of antibodies present in the specimen.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 86317 is used when there is a need to quantitate antibodies to an infectious agent in a patient’s specimen, and there is no more specific code available for the test. The test may be performed on specimens such as blood, serum, or body fluid, and it utilizes immunoassay methods to detect and measure the level of antibodies present.

5. When to use CPT code 86317

CPT code 86317 should be used when there is a need to quantitate antibodies to an infectious agent in a patient’s specimen using an immunoassay method. This code is appropriate when there is no more specific code available for the test being performed.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 86317, the documentation should include:

• Indication of the need to quantitate antibodies to an infectious agent in the patient’s specimen
• Details of the immunoassay method used, such as ELISA
• Date and time of the test
• Results of the test, reported as a quantitative value
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 86317, ensure that the test is performed to quantitate antibodies to an infectious agent in the patient’s specimen using an immunoassay method. This code should be used when there is no more specific code available for the test. It is important to follow any additional guidelines provided by payers regarding specimen collection, if applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 86317 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

1. A lab analyst performs an immunoassay to quantitate the patient’s specimen for antibodies to an infectious agent, not specified in another code.
2. The immunoassay method used is ELISA, and the test is performed on the patient’s serum.
3. The test is conducted on a patient suspected of having been exposed to a specific infectious agent, and the results indicate a high level of antibodies present in the specimen.
4. A lab analyst interprets the test results as a quantitative value, indicating the amount of antibodies present in the patient’s specimen.
5. The lab analyst signs off on the test results, confirming the accuracy of the quantitation.