Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 86787 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure antibodies against the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The varicella-zoster virus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and can enter the body via the nose, mouth, or conjunctiva. Upon initial infection, the virus causes chickenpox, which is characterized by symptoms such as fever, malaise, and a distinctive itchy macular rash. This rash progresses through various stages, starting as macules, evolving into papules, and ultimately forming vesicular lesions that crust and scab over as the infection resolves. After the primary infection, the varicella-zoster virus can enter a dormant phase within sensory nerve ganglia, where it may remain inactive for an extended period. This dormant virus can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles, a condition marked by skin paresthesia, pain, and a unilateral vesicular eruption that typically follows the distribution of sensory nerves, particularly in the trunk or along the 5th cranial nerve. The laboratory test for varicella-zoster antibodies involves measuring two types of antibodies: IgM and IgG. A positive IgM antibody titer indicates a current or recent infection; however, it is important to note that IgM antibodies may remain elevated for more than 12 months following the initial infection. Conversely, a positive IgG antibody titer suggests either a current or past infection with the varicella-zoster virus. The testing process requires a blood sample, which is obtained through a separately reportable venipuncture, and a CSF sample, which is collected via a separately reportable lumbar puncture. The laboratory employs semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to test for IgM antibodies and semi-quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay for IgG antibodies.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The varicella-zoster antibody test (CPT® Code 86787) is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for testing varicella-zoster antibodies involves several key steps, which are outlined below:
After the procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort or bruising at the venipuncture site or lumbar puncture site. It is important to monitor for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Patients should be advised to rest and hydrate adequately following the procedure. The results of the antibody tests will typically be available within a specified timeframe, and healthcare providers will discuss the findings with the patient to determine any necessary follow-up actions based on the results.
| Short Descr | VARICELLA-ZOSTER ANTIBODY | Medium Descr | ANTIBODY VARICELLA-ZOSTER | Long Descr | Antibody; varicella-zoster | 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 | 2 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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) | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | 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. | 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. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.