How To Use CPT Code 87799

CPT 87799 describes the quantification of infection with an infectious agent using a nucleic acid probe technique. 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 87799?

CPT 87799 can be used to describe the quantification of infection with an infectious agent using a nucleic acid probe technique. This code is used when the lab analyst performs a test to assess the presence and quantity of a specific infectious agent in a specimen. It is typically used when there is no specific code available for the infectious agent being tested.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 87799 is: ‘Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), not otherwise specified; quantification, each organism.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst processes the specimen from a direct source, such as blood, and performs amplification techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to increase the number of copies of a specific target nucleic acid sequence.
2. The lab analyst then assesses the presence and quantity of the specified infectious agent by evaluating the amplified nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid probe.
3. The nucleic acid probe, which is a fabricated single-strand sequence of DNA or RNA, is designed to join with the complementary sequence in the specimen through a process called hybridization.
4. The hybridization product, formed by combining the probe and the specimen’s nucleic acid sequence, is visualized and quantified using a label, such as a radioactive or chemical tag, attached to the probe.
5. The quantification of the infectious agent helps the provider determine the efficacy of treatment and monitor the progress of the patient.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 87799 is used when the lab analyst performs a test to quantify the presence of an infectious agent using a nucleic acid probe technique. This code is typically used when there is no specific code available for the infectious agent being tested. It is important to note that if the lab analyst tests for multiple infectious agents, a modifier may be required to indicate that multiple tests were performed.

5. When to use CPT code 87799

CPT code 87799 should be used when the lab analyst performs a test to quantify the presence of an infectious agent using a nucleic acid probe technique. This code is used when there is no specific code available for the infectious agent being tested. It is important to ensure that the test is performed for quantification purposes and not for detection or identification alone.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 87799, the documentation should include:

• The specific infectious agent being tested
• The laboratory technique used for quantification
• The date of the test
• The start and end time of the test
• The results of the quantification
• Any additional relevant information, such as the reason for the test or the efficacy of treatment

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 87799, ensure that the test is performed using a nucleic acid probe technique for quantification purposes. If the lab analyst tests for multiple infectious agents, a modifier may be required to indicate that multiple tests were performed. It is important to note that some payers may separately reimburse for specimen collection using a venipuncture code, such as 36415.

8. Historical information

CPT code 87799 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. There have been historical changes to the code, including a code change on January 1, 2001, which revised the description to include quantification.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs a test to quantify the presence of Borrelia miyamotoi using a nucleic acid probe technique.
2. A lab analyst assesses the quantity of a specific viral infection in a patient’s blood sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.
3. A lab analyst quantifies the presence of a bacterial infection in a wound specimen using a nucleic acid probe technique.
4. A lab analyst evaluates the quantity of a fungal infection in a respiratory sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.
5. A lab analyst performs a test to quantify the presence of a parasitic infection in a stool sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.
6. A lab analyst assesses the quantity of a specific viral infection in a cerebrospinal fluid sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.
7. A lab analyst quantifies the presence of a bacterial infection in a urine specimen using a nucleic acid probe technique.
8. A lab analyst evaluates the quantity of a fungal infection in a skin scraping using a nucleic acid probe technique.
9. A lab analyst performs a test to quantify the presence of a parasitic infection in a blood sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.
10. A lab analyst assesses the quantity of a specific viral infection in a tissue sample using a nucleic acid probe technique.