The new Category I code, 86481, is described as ‘Tuberculosis test, cell mediated immunity antigen response measurement; enumeration of gamma interferon-producing T-cells in cell suspension,’ and will be effective as of 1 January 2011.
Oxford Immunotec said the T-SPOT.TB test is based on a patented enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) technology which is a highly accurate and innovative way to measure T-cell response.
The T-SPOT.TB test measures the patient’s immune response to T-cells that have been sensitized to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis infection.
Oxford Immunotec CEO Peter Wrighton-Smith said by choosing the T-SPOT.TB test, their customers have shown their trust in test and the technology platform upon which it is run.
"I am pleased that the American Medical Association agrees that the ELISpot platform is a unique and powerful technology and the establishment of this new code will improve access to the test and make it more available to physicians and hospitals," Wrighton-Smith said.
