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How to properly charge for antigen typing of donor units when trying to find phenotype matched blood for a patient with multiple red cell alloantibodies

A medical technologist reports that her Iowa transfusion service is concerned about how to properly charge for antigen typing of donor units when trying to find phenotype matched blood for a patient with multiple red cell alloantibodies. She is concerned that the CPT code 86903 permits only one charge per donor unit tested, even if the lab must type the donor unit for 5 or 6 different antigens. She wonders how other institutions handle this billing situation so that reagent costs and employee time are adequately compensated.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator

W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Assistant Editor & Moderator
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Posted: Nov. 15, 2007

Addenda:

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