Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: Our provider does testing for antibodies to HLA in a patient to confirm the genetic structure of his cancer and determine response to treatment. Can we report for the HLA testing? This seems like a laboratory test.

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing is a laboratory test, and therefore only the lab performing the service should report the code. Understanding the codes may be of use to your oncologist when he orders the tests. The lab chooses from the following codes for antibodies to HLA depending upon whether your physician orders testing for HLA Class I, HLA Class II, or both.

• 86828, Antibody to human leukocyte antigens (HLA), solid phase assays (e.g., microspheres or beads, ELISA, flow cytometry); qualitative assessment of the presence or absence of antibody(ies) to HLA Class I and Class II HLA antigens
  
• 86829, Antibody to human leukocyte antigens (HLA), solid phase assays (e.g., microspheres or beads, ELISA, Flow cytometry); qualitative assessment of the presence or absence of antibody(ies) to HLA Class I or Class II HLA antigens