Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
86828-86829 Include Technical Flow Cytometry
Question: I’ve been told that when reporting new codes for HLA Class I and/or Class II tissue typing by flow cytometry (86828-86829), we should also list the appropriate technical flow cytometry codes 88184-88185 based on the number of markers. Is this correct?
In fact, Medicare’s Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) bundles the flow cytometry codes as column 2 codes for 86828 and 86829. You can override the edit pair only if the flow cytometry service is for a separate test.
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: No, you should not report 88184-+88185 (Flow cytometry, cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear marker, technical component only …) in addition to 86828 or 86829 (Antibody to human leukocyte antigens [HLA], solid phase assays [e.g., microspheres or beads, ELISA, flow cytometry]…).
New in CPT® 2013, codes 86828 and 86829 for HLA antibody tissue typing include the technical service involved in performing the tests, whether that’s flow cytometry, ELISA or another solid phase assay. Additionally reporting technical flow cytometry codes 88184 and +88185 amounts to “double dipping” for fees.
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86828-86829 Include Technical Flow Cytometry
Question: I’ve been told that when reporting new codes for HLA Class I and/or Class [...]
