How To Use CPT Code 87109

CPT 87109 describes the culture and identification of mycoplasma from any patient source. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 87109?

CPT 87109 can be used to describe the culture and identification of mycoplasma from any patient source. This code is used when a lab analyst performs a culture using a specific growth medium and identifies any mycoplasma colonies that grow. The test can be ordered to aid in the diagnosis of suspected mycoplasma infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or Mycoplasma pneumonia.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87109 is: ‘Culture, mycoplasma, any source.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst applies the specimen to a growth medium, such as a test dish containing agar and nutrients.
2. The test dish is held in controlled conditions for a specific period of time to see if any microorganisms, specifically mycoplasma, grow in colonies on the medium.
3. If mycoplasma colonies grow, the lab analyst will identify the organism.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87109 can be used for any specimen source, such as throat swabs, bronchial washings, or pelvic smears, when the purpose is to culture and identify mycoplasma. Mycoplasma are a class of bacteria that lack a cell wall and do not respond to many antibiotics. This code should be used regardless of the level of classification of the mycoplasma organism.

5. When to use CPT code 87109

CPT code 87109 should be used when there is a need to culture and identify mycoplasma from any patient source. It is appropriate to use this code when the lab analyst performs the culture and identifies mycoplasma colonies. This code should not be used for other microorganisms or for presumptive identification of mycoplasma.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 87109, the documentation should include:

• Patient’s diagnosis or suspected mycoplasma infection
• Specific specimen source used for the culture
• Date and time of the culture
• Results of the culture, including the identification of mycoplasma colonies
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the culture

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 87109, ensure that the culture and identification of mycoplasma is performed from any patient source. This code should not be reported with other codes for different microorganisms. Additional culture typing tests for Mycoplasma species may require separate codes. It is important to consider the location of the testing facility when coding for these tests.

8. Historical information

CPT 87109 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs a culture from a throat swab and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
2. A bronchial washing is cultured by a lab analyst, and mycoplasma colonies are identified.
3. A pelvic smear is sent to the lab for culture and identification of mycoplasma by a lab analyst.
4. A lab analyst performs a culture from a wound specimen and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
5. A lab analyst cultures a urine sample and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
6. A lab analyst performs a culture from a stool specimen and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
7. A lab analyst cultures a blood sample and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
8. A lab analyst performs a culture from a sputum sample and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
9. A lab analyst cultures a synovial fluid sample and identifies mycoplasma colonies.
10. A lab analyst performs a culture from a cerebrospinal fluid sample and identifies mycoplasma colonies.