How To Use CPT Code 86677

CPT 86677 describes the evaluation of a patient’s serum for antibodies to the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori. 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 86677?

CPT 86677 can be used to evaluate a patient’s serum for antibodies to the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which is commonly referred to as H. pylori. This code is used when a lab analyst performs an immunoassay to test the patient’s serum for specific antibodies using methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test helps in diagnosing H. pylori infection, which can be associated with chronic inflammation of the stomach, stomach ulcers, and stomach cancer.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 86677 is: ‘Antibody; Helicobacter pylori.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects the patient’s serum sample.
2. The serum sample is tested using an immunoassay method, such as ELISA, to detect antibodies specific to H. pylori.
3. The test may involve reacting the specimen with test antigens, incubating the mixture, adding an agent to detect the antigen-antibody complex, and interpreting the results.
4. The results are reported as positive, negative, or as a semiquantitative value.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 86677 is used when a patient’s serum is tested for antibodies to H. pylori. This test may be ordered by clinicians to help diagnose H. pylori infection, which can be associated with various stomach-related conditions. The test detects the presence of antibodies, which are proteins produced by the body’s immune response to neutralize specific invaders like bacteria or viruses.

5. When to use CPT code 86677

CPT code 86677 should be used when a patient’s serum is tested for antibodies to H. pylori. It is appropriate to bill this code for each class of antibody tested, such as IgG, IgM, and IgA. It is important to note that this code is specifically for antibody testing and should not be used for antigen tests for the same organism.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 86677, the following documentation is required:

• Indication of the need for H. pylori antibody testing
• Details of the immunoassay method used, such as ELISA
• Date of the test
• Results of the test, reported as positive, negative, or semiquantitative value

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 86677, ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst using an immunoassay method to detect H. pylori antibodies. It is important to note that some payers may separately reimburse for specimen collection using a different code, such as 36415. Additionally, it is important to use CPT code 86677 for antibody testing and not for antigen tests for the same organism.

8. Historical information

CPT code 86677 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1993. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs an immunoassay to evaluate a patient’s serum for antibodies to H. pylori, and the test results are reported as positive.
2. Using an ELISA method, the lab analyst tests a patient’s serum for IgG antibodies specific to H. pylori, and the results are reported as negative.
3. A patient’s serum is tested for IgA antibodies to H. pylori using an immunoassay, and the results are reported as a semiquantitative value.
4. Using an immunoassay method, the lab analyst tests a patient’s serum for IgM antibodies specific to H. pylori, and the results are reported as positive.
5. A patient’s serum is tested for antibodies to H. pylori using an ELISA method, and the results are reported as negative.
6. The lab analyst performs an immunoassay to evaluate a patient’s serum for IgG antibodies specific to H. pylori, and the results are reported as a semiquantitative value.
7. Using an immunoassay method, the lab analyst tests a patient’s serum for IgA antibodies to H. pylori, and the results are reported as positive.
8. A patient’s serum is tested for IgM antibodies specific to H. pylori using an ELISA method, and the results are reported as negative.
9. The lab analyst performs an immunoassay to evaluate a patient’s serum for antibodies to H. pylori, and the results are reported as a semiquantitative value.
10. Using an immunoassay method, the lab analyst tests a patient’s serum for IgG antibodies specific to H. pylori, and the results are reported as positive.