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Test Code Billings Clinic: 1001 White Blood Cell (WBC) Count, Blood

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Hematology

Methodology

Flow cytometry

Specimen Requirements

  • Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of draw.
  • Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 5 mL of unprocessed EDTA whole blood refrigerated.
  • Do not centrifuge.
  • Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly.

Reject Due To

  • Clotted specimens
  • Specimens containing small clots, fibrin strands or platelet clumps
  • Gross hemolysis
  • Samples drawn above an IV line
  • Samples kept at room temperature > 24 hours after collection

**Lipemia, icterus and cold agglutinins may affect the test results.

Reference Values

Reference values are included with patient’s report.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

85048 - WBC
85007 - manual differential WBC count (if appropriate)
85008 - manual blood smear (if appropriate)


LCD or NCD test. ICD-9 code is required for this test. When appropriate, obtain a properly executed ABN and submit the ABN with test order(s). See “Medical Necessity and Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) Policy and Form” under Resources for a copy of a form and additional information.

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
WBC 6690-2

 

Profile/Testing Information

Reflex Information:

1. Reflex smear review testing (85008**) at a charge of $0.00 occurs when:

  • WBC for Inpatients and Advanced Care patients is <2,400 or >20,000
  • WBC for Reference and Clinic patients is <3,200 or >18,000
  • WBC for Family Birth Center patients is <2,400 or >25,000
  • WBC for Oncology Outpatients is <1,000 or >18,000

2. Reflex manual WBC differential testing (85007**) may occur when:

  • WBC for ED or SDC is <3,200 or >18,000
  • Blasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes total >5% or
  • Variant lymphocytes >25% or
  • Bands >15%

 

This test may automatically reflex to other tests. An additional fee may be added. The ordering physician/nonphysician provider (NPP) must indicate if the reflex test is NOT DESIRED. Indicate on order if no reflex test is desired.