How To Use CPT Code 86356

CPT 86356 describes the quantitation of a mononuclear cell antigen using flow cytometry. 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 86356?

CPT 86356 can be used to describe the quantitation of a mononuclear cell antigen that is not specified in another code. This code is used when a lab analyst performs a flow cytometry test to analyze cell antigens and quantify mononuclear cells, such as lymphocytes, based on a specific antigen present on their cell membrane.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 86356 is: ‘Mononuclear cell antigen, quantitative (eg, flow cytometry), not otherwise specified, each antigen.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs a flow cytometry test using anticoagulated whole blood.
2. The flow cytometer sends stained or fluorescently marked blood cells through an electronic detector and exposes them to a laser.
3. The test separates mononuclear cells, including lymphocytes, into subsets and quantifies them based on the specific antigen present on their cell membrane.
4. The lab analyst performs all the necessary steps to complete the test and obtain the quantitative results for each antigen.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 86356 is used when there is a need to quantitate a mononuclear cell antigen that is not specified in another code. This test may aid in the diagnosis of blood disorders, such as blood cancers and immunodeficiency, or monitor the progression of a specific disease. It is typically performed by a lab analyst using flow cytometry techniques.

5. When to use CPT code 86356

CPT code 86356 should be used when there is a need to quantitate a mononuclear cell antigen that is not covered by any other specific code. It is important to ensure that the test is performed using flow cytometry and that the antigen being quantitated is not already covered by another code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 86356, the documentation should include:

• The specific antigen being quantitated
• The date and time of the test
• The method used (flow cytometry)
• The quantitative results obtained for each antigen
• Any additional relevant information or observations

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 86356, ensure that the test is performed using flow cytometry and that the antigen being quantitated is not covered by another specific code. It is important to report this code once for each antigen being quantitated. If the test is part of a panel for blood or lymphoid cancers, different codes may be more appropriate.

8. Historical information

CPT 86356 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2008. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs a flow cytometry test to quantitate CD45RA antigen in a patient’s blood sample.
2. Using flow cytometry, the lab analyst quantitates CD45RO antigen in a patient’s lymphocytes.
3. The lab analyst performs a flow cytometry test to quantitate CD3 antigen in a patient’s blood sample.
4. Using flow cytometry techniques, the lab analyst quantitates CD4 antigen in a patient’s lymphocytes.
5. A flow cytometry test is performed to quantitate CD8 antigen in a patient’s blood sample.
6. The lab analyst uses flow cytometry to quantitate CD19 antigen in a patient’s lymphocytes.
7. A patient’s blood sample is analyzed using flow cytometry to quantitate CD56 antigen.
8. The lab analyst performs a flow cytometry test to quantitate CD14 antigen in a patient’s monocytes.
9. Using flow cytometry techniques, the lab analyst quantitates CD34 antigen in a patient’s blood sample.
10. A flow cytometry test is performed to quantitate CD16 antigen in a patient’s neutrophils.