{
    "code": "86480",
    "coding_system": "CPT",
    "canonical_url": "https://localishealth.com/cpt/86480/2014/B",
    "release_specific_url": "https://localishealth.com/cpt/86480/2018/C",
    "description": "A blood test for tuberculosis infection that mixes the patient's white blood cells with TB-specific proteins and measures the interferon-gamma they release in response. A strong response means the immune system has met tuberculosis before. Unlike the old skin test, it needs only one visit, is not affected by prior BCG vaccination, and does not require the patient to return to have a reaction read.",
    "answer": {
        "question": "Did Medicare pay separately for CPT 86480 in Q3 2018?",
        "text": "Not at a published national rate. CPT 86480 carries status X (statutory exclusion) in the Q3 2018 release. The statutory definition of physician services does not include this item. Treat the blank amount as unpriced, not as $0."
    },
    "release": {
        "schedule": "pfs",
        "year": 2018,
        "quarter": "C",
        "label": "Q3 2018",
        "effective": "July 1 – September 30, 2018",
        "revision": 1
    },
    "status": {
        "code": "X",
        "non_facility_payable": false,
        "facility_payable": false
    },
    "national_rates_usd": {
        "office_non_facility": null,
        "facility": null,
        "sequestration_applied": false,
        "gpci": 1
    },
    "rvus": {
        "work": null,
        "practice_expense_non_facility": null,
        "practice_expense_facility": null,
        "malpractice": null
    },
    "formula": "(work_rvu × work_gpci + pe_rvu × pe_gpci + mp_rvu × mp_gpci) × conversion_factor",
    "conversion_factor": 35.9996,
    "source": {
        "label": "Physician relative value file (Q3 2018)",
        "cms_url": "https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-service-payment/physicianfeesched/downloads/rvu18c1.zip",
        "local_source_url": "https://localishealth.com/sources/physician-fee-schedule/2018/C",
        "file": "PPRRVU18_JUL.csv",
        "row": 14350,
        "sha256": "514e3c115f8e62a35eb5f78fef7ed12ed7b60b22a5fe3f3f1bb5aadf119663c5"
    },
    "modified_at": "2026-08-04T03:08:27+00:00"
}