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The CPT® Code 86480 refers to a specific tuberculosis test that measures the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) antigen response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection. This test is particularly relevant for individuals who are suspected of having TB or are at high risk for contracting the infection. The procedure involves assessing the immune response of lymphocytes in the blood to two specific proteins associated with TB: early-secreted antigenic target 6-kDa protein (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein (CFP-10). These proteins are critical in determining whether an individual has been exposed to TB, as they stimulate a response from the immune system. During the test, a blood sample is collected through a venipuncture, which is a separate reportable procedure. The collected blood is then exposed to the aforementioned proteins, and the immune response is measured by the secretion of cytokine interferon gamma. A positive reaction, indicated by the presence of this cytokine, suggests that the individual has a TB infection. The amount of interferon gamma produced is also taken into account for diagnostic purposes. This test is a valuable tool in the detection of TB, providing crucial information about the immune response to the infection.
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The tuberculosis test coded as CPT® 86480 is indicated for individuals who are suspected of having or are at high risk for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection. This includes patients who may exhibit symptoms of TB or have been exposed to environments or individuals where TB is prevalent.
The procedure for CPT® 86480 involves several key steps that ensure accurate measurement of the cell-mediated immunity antigen response to TB-specific proteins.
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the CPT® 86480 test is generally minimal, as the blood draw is a routine procedure. Patients may be advised to monitor the site of venipuncture for any signs of infection or unusual swelling. The results of the test will typically be communicated to the patient by their healthcare provider, who will discuss the implications of the findings and any necessary follow-up actions based on the test results.
| Short Descr | TB TEST CELL IMMUN MEASURE | Medium Descr | TB CELL MEDIATED ANTIGN RESPNSE GAMMA INTERFERON | Long Descr | Tuberculosis test, cell mediated immunity antigen response measurement; gamma interferon | Status Code | Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies) | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | CLIA Waived (QW) | No | APC Status Indicator | Conditionally packaged laboratory tests | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 235 - Other Laboratory |
| 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
| 1984-12-31 | Deleted | Code deleted. |
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