CPT codes for MICROBIOLOGY

The AMA added new codes for the infectious testing for gastrointestinal pathogens (e.g., salmonella, shigella, etc.) which previously did not have a separate code for these infectious molecular methodologies.

Previously, the code set contained no specific code to report the actual gene associated with HPV for high risk or low risk HPV. AMA deleted those codes and replaced them with the new codes that align the coding not on methodology alone, but rather which gene(s) was being testing; low risk genes, high risk genes and a subcategory for most common high risk genes (16, 18, 45).

In addition, the AMA added a separate code for the detection of HIV-1 antigens with HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies included in the testing; testing is by immunoassay, direct optical observation, which distinguishes this code from other HIV testing codes in the code book.

CPT Code:87505 

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gastrointestinal pathogen (eg,Clostridium difficile, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Giardia), includes multiplex reverse transcription, when performed, and multiplex amplified probe technique, multiple types or subtypes, 3-5 targets

CPT Code:87506

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gastrointestinal pathogen (eg, Clostridium difficile, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Giardia), includes multiplex reverse transcription, when performed, and multiplex amplified probe technique, multiple types or subtypes, 6-11 targets

CPT Code:87507

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gastrointestinal pathogen (eg, Clostridium difficile, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Giardia), includes multiplex reverse transcription, when performed, and multiplex amplified probe technique, multiple types or subtypes, 12-25 targets

CPT Code:87623

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Human Papillomavirus (HPV), low-risk types (eg, 6, 11, 42, 43, 44)

CPT Code:87624

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Human Papillomavirus (HPV), high-risk types (eg, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68)
When both low-risk and high-risk HPV types are performed in a single assay, use
only 87624

CPT Code:87625

Code Description:
Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Human Papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18 only, includes type 45, if performed

CPT Code:87806

Code Description:
Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; HIV-1 antigen(s), with HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies

Reference: www.ama-assn.org/