How To Use CPT Code 86902

CPT 86902 describes the process of antigen testing of donor blood using reagent serum. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 86902?

CPT 86902 can be used to describe the process of antigen testing of donor blood using reagent serum. This code is used when a lab analyst performs an antigen test to screen a potential donor blood unit for possible reactive antigens by mixing part of the unit with serum from the recipient patient.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 86902 is: ‘Blood typing, serologic; antigen testing of donor blood using reagent serum, each antigen test.’ This code should be reported once for each antigen for each unit tested.

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs the technical steps to screen a potential donor blood unit for antigens that might cause a potential transfusion reaction.
2. The lab method may include steps such as mixing patient serum, which contains antibodies, with red blood cells from a unit of donor blood.
3. The lab analyst monitors the mixture for agglutination, which indicates the presence of antigens on donor red blood cells that correspond to antibodies in patient serum.
4. This test is commonly performed following ABO and Rh typing tests to determine blood compatibility for transfusion or if the patient has antibodies that might cause a transfusion reaction against donor red blood cells.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 86902 is used when screening a potential donor blood unit for antigens that might cause a potential transfusion reaction. This test is typically performed to determine blood compatibility for transfusion or to identify antibodies in patient serum that might react against donor red blood cells.

5. When to use CPT code 86902

CPT code 86902 should be used when performing antigen testing of donor blood using reagent serum. It is important to report this code once for each antigen for each unit tested.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 86902, the documentation should include:

• Details of the antigen testing performed
• Number of antigens tested for each unit of donor blood
• Results of the antigen testing
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 86902, ensure that the antigen testing is performed using reagent serum and that each antigen test is reported separately for each unit tested. It is important to report this code once for each antigen for each unit tested. Do not report CPT 86902 if the same antigen is tested for multiple blood units.

8. Historical information

CPT 86902 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2011. The code was later changed on January 1, 2015 to its current description.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs antigen testing of a donor blood unit using reagent serum to screen for possible reactive antigens.
2. During the antigen testing process, the lab analyst mixes part of the donor blood unit with serum from the recipient patient to detect the presence of antigens.
3. The lab analyst observes agglutination, indicating the presence of antigens on donor red blood cells that correspond to antibodies in patient serum.
4. After ABO and Rh typing tests, the lab analyst performs antigen testing to determine blood compatibility for transfusion.
5. The lab analyst performs antigen testing to identify antibodies in patient serum that might react against donor red blood cells.