How to use the CPT codes for Complete Blood Count (CBC)
For Complete Blood Count (CBC), two primary CPT codes are used: CPT 85025 and CPT 85027. These codes represent the automated CBC with and without a differential White Blood Cell (WBC) count. Below we explain how to use these codes for CBC.
1. CPT Codes for Automated CBC with Differential WBC Count
The CPT code 85025 is used when a complete blood count is performed using an automated process, and it includes a differential WBC count. This code is typically used when a physician needs a comprehensive overview of a patient’s blood profile, including the different types of white blood cells.
1.1. CPT 85025 explained
The CPT 85025 code is used for an automated complete blood count (CBC) that includes a differential WBC count. This test provides a count of the red and white blood cells, as well as platelets, in a patient’s blood. It also includes measurements of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
The clinical responsibility for this code lies with the examining physician or lab technician, who places a small amount of the patient’s blood into the instrument’s narrow tube.
The instrument uses flow cytometry to count the number of different types of cells passing through the tube and identifies the type of cells. The final result is sent to the computer for review and can be printed out for the physician and records.
2. CPT Codes for Automated CBC without Differential WBC Count
The CPT code 85027 is used when an automated complete blood count (CBC) is performed without a differential WBC count. This code is typically used when a basic overview of a patient’s blood profile is required, without the need for a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells.
2.1. CPT 85027 explained
The CPT 85027 code is used for an automated complete blood count (CBC) that does not include a differential WBC count. This test provides a count of the red and white blood cells, as well as platelets, in a patient’s blood. It also includes measurements of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
The clinical responsibility for this code lies with the lab analyst, who performs the technical steps to count the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets. The analyst also measures the hemoglobin and hematocrit in a whole blood sample.
The blood sample is usually collected by needle from a vein in the arm directly into a tube containing an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting.
3. The difference between CPT 85025 and 85027
The primary difference between the CPT codes 85025 and 85027 lies in the inclusion of a differential White Blood Cell (WBC) count.
CPT code 85025 is used when a Complete Blood Count (CBC) is performed using an automated process and includes a differential WBC count. A differential WBC count provides a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells in a patient’s blood, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
This information can be crucial in diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions, as changes in the levels of different types of white blood cells can indicate specific health issues. For instance, an increase in neutrophils may indicate an infection, while an increase in lymphocytes could suggest a viral infection.
On the other hand, CPT code 85027 is used for an automated CBC that does not include a differential WBC count. This means that while the total number of white blood cells is counted and reported, there is no breakdown of the different types of white blood cells.
This test still provides valuable information about a patient’s overall health, including the total number of red and white blood cells and platelets, as well as measurements of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. However, it does not provide the detailed information about white blood cell types that a differential count does.
