How To Use CPT Code 87555

CPT 87555 describes the direct probe technique for detecting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using nucleic acid analysis. 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 87555?

CPT 87555 can be used to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using a direct probe technique. This code is used when a lab analyst performs all the necessary technical steps to assess the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences that indicate the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a primary specimen, such as sputum, blood, biopsies, or fluids from the body. The lab analyst prepares the specimen and mixes it with a nucleic acid probe, which is a single strand sequence of DNA or RNA that joins with the complementary sequence in the specimen through a process called hybridization. The hybridization product is then visualized using a label attached to the nucleic acid probe.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87555 is: ‘Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycobacteria tuberculosis, direct probe technique.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst prepares the primary specimen, such as sputum, blood, biopsies, or fluids from the body.
2. The lab analyst mixes the specimen with a nucleic acid probe, which is a single strand sequence of DNA or RNA.
3. The nucleic acid probe joins with the complementary sequence in the specimen through a process called hybridization.
4. The lab analyst visualizes the hybridization product using a label attached to the nucleic acid probe.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87555 is used when there is a need to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a primary specimen using a direct probe technique. This test is commonly performed on specimens such as sputum, blood, biopsies, or fluids from the body. The presence of specific nucleic acid sequences indicating the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis must be assessed by a lab analyst using the direct probe technique.

5. When to use CPT code 87555

CPT code 87555 should be used when there is a need to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a primary specimen using the direct probe technique. It is important to note that this code should not be used for other types of tests, such as amplified probe or quantification tests for Mycobacteria species.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 87555, the following documentation is required:

• Identification of the specific nucleic acid sequences indicating the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Description of the primary specimen used for the test
• Details of the direct probe technique used, including the hybridization process and visualization of the hybridization product
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 87555, ensure that the test is performed using the direct probe technique for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is important to distinguish this code from other related codes, such as CPT 87556 for amplified probe tests and CPT 87557 for quantification tests for Mycobacteria species. Additionally, some payers may require separate billing for specimen collection using a code such as CPT 36415 for venous blood collection.

8. Historical information

CPT 87555 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performing a direct probe technique to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sputum sample.
2. A lab analyst using the direct probe technique to assess the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a blood sample.
3. A lab analyst performing the direct probe technique on a biopsy specimen to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
4. A lab analyst using the direct probe technique to assess the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a fluid sample from the body.
5. A lab analyst performing the direct probe technique to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sputum sample from a patient with suspected tuberculosis.
6. A lab analyst using the direct probe technique to assess the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a blood sample from a patient with suspected tuberculosis.
7. A lab analyst performing the direct probe technique on a biopsy specimen to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a patient with suspected tuberculosis.
8. A lab analyst using the direct probe technique to assess the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a fluid sample from the body of a patient with suspected tuberculosis.
9. A lab analyst performing the direct probe technique to detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sputum sample from a patient with a history of tuberculosis.