How To Use CPT Code 86977
CPT 86977 describes the process of pretreating serum with an inhibitor to prepare it for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells. This article will cover the description, official details, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.
1. What is CPT Code 86977?
CPT 86977 can be used to describe the pretreatment of serum with an inhibitor in order to prepare it for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the technical steps to prepare the serum for further testing, which may include mixing the serum with a specific inhibitor for a set period of time and removing a serum fraction through processes like centrifugation.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 86977 is: ‘Pretreatment of serum for use in RBC antibody identification; incubation with inhibitors, each.’
3. Procedure
- The lab analyst selects the appropriate inhibitor to treat the serum for further testing.
- The serum is incubated with the inhibitor for a specific period of time.
- After the incubation, a serum fraction is removed, typically through processes like centrifugation.
- The pretreated serum is then ready for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells.
4. Qualifying circumstances
CPT 86977 is used when clinicians order the pretreatment of serum to prepare for further testing, such as blood transfusion-related procedures. This code is not limited to a specific condition, but it is important to distinguish it from other codes that describe serum preparation using methods other than inhibitor incubation.
5. When to use CPT code 86977
CPT code 86977 should be used when the serum is pretreated with an inhibitor for the purpose of preparing it for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells. It is important to ensure that the specific circumstances of pretreatment with an inhibitor are met before reporting this code.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT 86977, the documentation should include:
- The reason for ordering the pretreatment of serum
- The specific inhibitor used for the pretreatment
- The date and time of the incubation process
- Any additional relevant information about the procedure
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT 86977, it is important to ensure that the serum is pretreated with an inhibitor and that the specific circumstances for this code are met. It is also crucial to distinguish this code from others that describe serum preparation using different methods. Report one unit of CPT 86977 for each inhibitor used to treat the serum prior to further testing.
8. Historical information
CPT 86977 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1993. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.
9. Examples
- A lab analyst incubates serum with an inhibitor to prepare it for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells.
- A clinician orders the pretreatment of serum with an inhibitor to prepare for a blood transfusion.
- A lab technician mixes serum with a specific inhibitor and incubates it for a set period of time before further testing.
- A lab analyst performs centrifugation to remove a serum fraction after incubating it with an inhibitor.
- A clinician requests the pretreatment of serum to ensure accurate identification of antibodies to red blood cells.
- A lab analyst follows the necessary steps to prepare serum for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells.
- A clinician orders the pretreatment of serum with an inhibitor as part of the process for a blood transfusion.
- A lab technician carefully incubates serum with an inhibitor to prepare it for further testing.
- A lab analyst prepares serum for the identification of antibodies to red blood cells by incubating it with an inhibitor.
- A clinician ensures that the serum is properly pretreated with an inhibitor before proceeding with further testing.
