Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Watch for HAAb Antibody Class
Published on Mon Feb 08, 2016
Question: Our lab performs two tests for Hepatitis A antibody — one for IgG class and one for IgM class. If we perform both tests on the same day, how should we code the service?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: You should report 86708 (Hepatitis A antibody [HAAb]) and 86709 (Hepatitis A antibody [HAAb]), IgM antibody).
Use 86708 for any HAAb antibody class except IgG, which you should report using 86709.
Clarification: In fact, CPT® 2016 revises code 86708 to remove the word “total” from the descriptor, and to remove the semicolon so that it is no longer a parent code for 86709. This frees you to use 86708 to report a single test for total HAAb or for a specific antibody class other than IgG.
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