Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Zero In on Coombs Test for Obstetric Panel
Question: We perform the obstetrics panel except that we perform an indirect Coombs test (86885) instead of the RBC antibody screen (86850). Can we still report 80055 for the panel?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: Although CPT® panel codes require you to perform all the tests listed as part of the code definition, you should be able to report the obstetric panel code in this case.
Code 80055 (Obstetric panel) lists multiple tests that comprise the panel, and one of the tests is 86850 (Antibody screen, RBC, each serum technique).
Caveat: The indirect Coombs test described by code 86885 (Antihuman globulin test [Coombs test]; indirect, qualitative, each reagent red cell) is the same lab test as 86850. If your lab performs the indirect Coombs test to screen for red blood cell (RBC) antibodies, you’re performing the 86850 test.
To ensure that you select 86850 instead of 86855 when RBC antibody screen is the focus of the test, CPT® adds a text note following 86886 that states, “For indirect antihuman globulin [Coombs] test for RBC antibody screening, use 86850.”
Bottom line: If you’re performing the Coombs test for RBC antibody screening, you’re actually performing 86850, which is part of the obstetric panel. If you’re performing all the other listed tests, you should report the obstetric panel code.
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