How To Use CPT Code 87252

CPT 87252 describes the procedure for virus isolation using tissue culture cell lines. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 87252?

CPT 87252 can be used to describe the procedure for virus isolation using tissue culture cell lines. This code is used when a lab analyst inoculates a tissue culture of a known cell line with a virus, allowing the virus to grow and identifying it by observing its impact on the tissue culture cells.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87252 is: ‘Virus isolation; tissue culture inoculation, observation, and presumptive identification by cytopathic effect.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst prepares a suspension containing virus particles from patient tissue or body fluids.
2. The suspension is injected into a broth containing tissue culture cells.
3. The lab analyst monitors the tissue culture cells for signs of infection and viral replication.
4. The lab analyst examines the cell culture microscopically to look for degenerative changes that indicate infection with a specific virus.
5. The lab analyst identifies the virus based on the type of tissue culture and the type of cytopathic effect observed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87252 is used when virus isolation is performed using tissue culture cell lines. This procedure is typically ordered by clinicians to grow a specific virus that is infecting the patient. It is an alternative to using live animals or eggs with embryos to allow the virus to replicate. Other immunoassay or nucleic acid tests may be ordered to definitively identify the virus, which should be billed separately.

5. When to use CPT code 87252

CPT code 87252 should be used when virus isolation is performed using tissue culture cell lines. It is appropriate when the lab analyst inoculates a tissue culture with a virus and observes the cytopathic effect to presumptively identify the virus. This code should not be used for virus isolation using embryonated eggs or small animals.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 87252, the lab analyst must document the following information:

• Details of the virus isolation procedure
• Specific tissue culture cell lines used
• Date and time of the procedure
• Observations of the cytopathic effect
• Presumptive identification of the virus
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 87252, ensure that the procedure involves virus isolation using tissue culture cell lines. It should not be reported with CPT code 87250, which is used for virus isolation using embryonated eggs or small animals. Other immunoassay or nucleic acid tests for definitive virus identification should be billed separately.

8. Historical information

CPT 87252 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 inoculating a tissue culture with a patient’s respiratory sample to isolate the influenza virus.
2. A lab analyst growing the cytomegalovirus in tissue culture cells to perform further testing.
3. A lab analyst observing the cytopathic effect in tissue culture cells to presumptively identify the herpes simplex virus.
4. A lab analyst isolating the adenovirus from a patient’s throat swab using tissue culture cell lines.
5. A lab analyst growing the varicella-zoster virus in tissue culture cells for vaccine development.
6. A lab analyst inoculating tissue culture cells with a patient’s blood sample to isolate the dengue virus.
7. A lab analyst observing the cytopathic effect in tissue culture cells to presumptively identify the human papillomavirus.
8. A lab analyst isolating the hepatitis C virus from a patient’s serum using tissue culture cell lines.
9. A lab analyst growing the rotavirus in tissue culture cells for research purposes.
10. A lab analyst inoculating tissue culture cells with a patient’s cerebrospinal fluid to isolate the enterovirus.