CPT® Code 86706

The CPT® Code 86706 refers to the testing of a blood sample for the presence of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb). This test is crucial in the context of hepatitis B, which is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of HBsAb in the blood indicates that an individual has been exposed to the hepatitis B virus at some point but does not currently have an active infection, whether acute or chronic. The HBsAb test serves multiple purposes: it helps determine if a person has developed immunity to HBV, either through past infection or successful vaccination, and it assesses the need for vaccination in individuals who may be at risk. A positive result for HBsAb signifies that the individual is immune to future infections of HBV, as they no longer carry an active form of the virus and cannot transmit it to others. The testing for HBsAb is typically conducted using a chemiluminescent assay, a sensitive and specific method for detecting antibodies in the blood.