New CPT® Codes Approved for COVID-19 Antibody Identification

by  Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT
Apr 15th, 2020

On April 10, 2020, the American Medical Association approved and published a revision of code 86318 and added two new codes 86328 and 86769 for reporting Coronavirus [COVID-19] antibody testing. The descriptions for these codes are as follows: 

86318  Immunoassay for infectious agent antibody(ies), qualitative or semiquantitative, single step method (eg, reagent strip);

86328        ; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)(Coronavirus disease [COVID-19])

86769   Antibody; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)(Coronavirus disease [COVID-19])

The revision changes 86318 to a parent code describing single-step antibody testing (e.g., reagent strip). It then lists beneath it 86328 to identify single-step antibody testing (e.g., reagent strip) specific to SARS-CoV-2 or the Coronavirus [COVID-19] antibodies. Code 86769 was added to report a multi-step, more in-depth test for the same antibodies. 

To clarify, antigens are the unique molecules of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses). When a virus enters the body the immune system signals antibodies (a protein produced mostly by plasma cells) to attach themselves to the antigens and systematically destroy them. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) are two known antibodies that when present in testing provide information on what is occurring in the body. IgG is found in all bodily fluids and protects against infections while IgM is found mostly in lymphatic fluids and blood serum or plasma and is the first antibody made by the body to fight off a new infection. The presence of these antibodies helps identify a positive COVID-19 result. 

The two most recent codes the AMA approved for this type of testing include: 

86328, which uses a blood serum or plasma sample that is placed into a single well on a reagent strip with controls for IgG and IgM. The result is read optically (visually) and recorded in the patient’s medical record.

86769, which uses a blood serum or plasma sample that is placed into a multi-well plate that is incubated and washed. It then has IgG and IgM antibodies added, and is incubated again before finally being measured using a microtiter plate reader. The results of this test are measured and require interpretation and a separate report by a physician.

Antibody testing is not the only method used for identifying a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2. Another new code that was approved for reporting and became effective on March 13, 2020, is:

87635  Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19])

This type of testing includes reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or amplified probe technique. In order to perform the test, a sample from the nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal area must be collected, which is done by inserting a long cotton swab into the area where the nose meets the throat (nasopharyngeal space) and swabbing the area to collect viral RNA cells for testing. This method, although noninvasive (not cutting into the body), is very uncomfortable for the patient. 

Due to the virus’ atypically long incubation period (the time from exposure to becoming symptomatic), nasopharyngeal swab testing hasn’t necessarily been the best testing method. Consequently, a number of “false negative” test results have occurred due to:

• the timing of the test (start of the infection vs. onset of symptoms)
• the sampling technique used (which varies from nurse to nurse), and 
• whether or not enough viral RNA was collected for the test

While these testing methods (87635, 86328, 86769) are all different, sometimes a combination of them is required to ensure accurate test results. As with any new codes added during the year, they will not be included in the current (2020) CPT® codebook but will be in the 2021 edition. Please note that code 87635 was effective as of March 13, 2020, but revised code 86318 and new codes 86328 and 86769 are effective as of  April 10, 2020. 

The AMA has provided clinical examples for the use of these codes in their “CPT Assistant Special Edition” and “CPT Assistant Special Edition: April Update,” which are useful in ensuring proper code assignment. Also, don’t forget to assign the proper ICD-10-CM codes as well, which is discussed in the article “Understanding the New Codes for Testing & Reporting COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)” and “ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines UPdated for COVID-19.”

About Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT

Aimee L. Wilcox is a medical coding, billing, and auditing consultant, author, and educator with more than 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in healthcare, coding, billing, and auditing. Medicine, including coding and billing, is a constantly changing field full of challenges and learning and she loves both. Aimee believes there are talented medical professionals who, with proper training and excellent information, can continue to practice the art of healing while feeling secure in their billing and reimbursement for such care.