How To Use CPT Code 87110

CPT 87110 describes the culture and identification of any Chlamydia species from a specimen obtained from a patient. 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 87110?

CPT 87110 can be used to describe the culture and identification of any Chlamydia species from a specimen obtained from a patient. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the necessary steps to cultivate the growth of Chlamydia microorganisms in a controlled environment and identifies the organism.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87110 is: ‘Culture, chlamydia, any source.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst applies the specimen obtained from the patient to a growth medium, such as a test dish containing agar and nutrients.
2. The test dish is then held in controlled conditions for a specific period of time, typically 24 hours or longer, to allow the Chlamydia microorganisms to grow in colonies on the medium.
3. If Chlamydia colonies are observed, the lab analyst will proceed with identifying the specific Chlamydia species present in the specimen.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87110 is used when there is a need to culture and identify any Chlamydia species from a specimen obtained from a patient. This test can be ordered by clinicians to aid in the diagnosis of suspected Chlamydia infections, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States) or Chlamydophila pneumonia (which can cause bronchitis or walking pneumonia).

5. When to use CPT code 87110

CPT code 87110 should be used when there is a need to culture and identify any Chlamydia species from a specimen obtained from a patient. It is appropriate to use this code regardless of the level of classification or the specific condition being investigated.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 87110, the documentation should include:

• The patient’s diagnosis or suspected Chlamydia infection
• The specific specimen source used for the culture
• The date and time of the culture procedure
• The growth medium and conditions used for the culture
• The presence or absence of Chlamydia colonies
• The identification of any Chlamydia species if colonies are observed

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 87110, ensure that the culture and identification of Chlamydia species are performed by a lab analyst. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting this code with other codes. However, if additional culture typing tests for Chlamydia species are performed, separate codes should be reported for each additional test.

8. Historical information

CPT 87110 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs a culture and identifies Chlamydia trachomatis from a pelvic smear specimen obtained from a patient.
2. A throat swab specimen is cultured, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae is identified by a lab analyst.
3. A bronchial washing specimen is cultured, and Chlamydia psittaci is identified by a lab analyst.
4. A lab analyst cultures a specimen from a suspected Chlamydia infection and identifies Chlamydia species, not otherwise specified.
5. A lab analyst performs a culture and identifies Chlamydia trachomatis from a urine specimen obtained from a patient.
6. A lab analyst cultures a specimen from a suspected Chlamydia infection and identifies Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
7. A lab analyst performs a culture and identifies Chlamydia species, not otherwise specified, from a cervical swab specimen obtained from a patient.
8. A lab analyst cultures a specimen from a suspected Chlamydia infection and identifies Chlamydia trachomatis.
9. A lab analyst performs a culture and identifies Chlamydia psittaci from a sputum specimen obtained from a patient.
10. A lab analyst cultures a specimen from a suspected Chlamydia infection and identifies Chlamydia species, not otherwise specified.