Lab & pathology
86850 — Antibody screen, red blood cell ; each serum technique
A blood bank test that screens a patient's blood for unexpected antibodies against red blood cells (other than the standard ABO/Rh antigens), which is critical before blood transfusions or during pregnancy.
- Typical setting: Hospital lab, reference lab
- National avg charge (illustrative): $8–$18 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $15–$55 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 86850 (antibody screen) separately when it is already included in the obstetric panel (80055)
What it means
What 86850 actually means
A blood bank test that screens a patient's blood for unexpected antibodies against red blood cells (other than the standard ABO/Rh antigens), which is critical before blood transfusions or during pregnancy. A positive screen requires further identification to ensure safe blood matching.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 86850 (antibody screen) separately when it is already included in the obstetric panel (80055)
- Confusing 86850 (antibody screen) with 86900 (ABO blood typing) and 86901 (Rh blood typing) — these are distinct procedures that may each be separately billed
- Duplicate billing when the hospital blood bank and the ordering physician each bill for the same antibody screen test
If you see 86850 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 86850 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
80050 — General health panel; includes CBC w/diff, CMP, TSH
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80051 — Electrolyte panel; CO2, chloride, potassium, sodium
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80053 — Comprehensive metabolic panel
If individual blood tests are also on your bill, you may have an unbundling error.
CPT
80055 — Obstetric panel; CBC w/diff, HBsAg, rubella Ab, syphilis, RBC Ab screen, ABO/Rh
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80061 — Lipid panel (cholesterol)
If you see HDL or LDL listed separately next to 80061, that's unbundling.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 86850 on a bill.
86850 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 86850 usually cost?
$8–$18 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $15–$55 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 86850?
Billing 86850 (antibody screen) separately when it is already included in the obstetric panel (80055)
What should I do if I see 86850 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 86850 before paying.
Don't pay 86850 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.