How To Use CPT Code 87150

CPT 87150 describes the process of using amplified DNA or RNA probe technique to identify and categorize a specific organism in a culture or isolate. 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 87150?

CPT 87150 can be used to describe the process of using amplified DNA or RNA probe technique to identify and categorize a specific organism in a culture or isolate. This code is used when the lab analyst performs an analysis on a previously isolated and identified organism to further classify it to a more specific taxonomic level.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87150 is: ‘Culture, typing; identification by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) probe, amplified probe technique, per culture or isolate, each organism probed.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs an analysis using amplified DNA or RNA probe technique on a previously isolated and identified organism.
2. The purpose of this procedure is to categorize the organism more specifically, such as to the taxonomic level of type.
3. The lab analyst uses amplified nucleic acid probes that identify specific DNA or RNA sequences to help identify the isolated organism as a specific type.
4. This code represents a DNA or RNA amplified probe for a single organism in a culture isolate.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87150 is used when the lab analyst performs an analysis on a previously isolated and identified organism to further classify it to a more specific taxonomic level. This procedure is typically ordered by clinicians to aid in the specific type identification of organisms. It is important to note that this code should not be reported in conjunction with codes 81161, 81200-81408.

5. When to use CPT code 87150

CPT code 87150 should be used when the lab analyst uses amplified DNA or RNA probe technique to identify and categorize a specific organism in a culture or isolate. This code should not be used for molecular pathology tests, as separate codes exist for those procedures.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 87150, the lab analyst must document the following information:

• Separate procedure to culture, isolate, and specifically identify the organism
• Use of amplified nucleic acid probes to further type the organism
• Date and time of the procedure
• Specific organism probed

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 87150, ensure that the procedure involves the use of amplified DNA or RNA probe technique to identify and categorize a specific organism in a culture or isolate. This code should not be reported with codes 81161, 81200-81408. It is important to note that this test is for amplified nucleic acid probes on culture isolates only, and separate codes exist for tests performed on direct smear specimens.

8. Historical information

CPT 87150 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst using amplified DNA probe technique to identify and categorize a specific organism in a culture isolate.
2. A lab analyst using amplified RNA probe technique to further type an isolated organism.
3. A lab analyst performing an analysis on a previously identified organism to classify it to a more specific taxonomic level.
4. A lab analyst using amplified nucleic acid probes to identify specific DNA or RNA sequences in an isolated organism.
5. A lab analyst using amplified DNA probe technique to identify the type of organism in a culture isolate.
6. A lab analyst using amplified RNA probe technique to categorize a specific organism in a culture isolate.
7. A lab analyst performing an analysis on a previously isolated organism to further classify it using amplified DNA or RNA probe technique.
8. A lab analyst using amplified nucleic acid probes to identify specific DNA or RNA sequences in a culture isolate.
9. A lab analyst using amplified DNA probe technique to identify the taxonomic level of a specific organism in a culture isolate.
10. A lab analyst using amplified RNA probe technique to further type an isolated organism in a culture isolate.