CPT 83987: Exhaled Breath pH Measurement

CPT code 83987 denotes a laboratory assay that measures the pH of condensed, exhaled breath. This specialized test quantifies acidity or alkalinity in exhaled breath condensate and can provide noninvasive information about airway environment and inflammation. As a targeted pulmonary laboratory measure, it is relevant for clinicians and laboratories involved in respiratory diagnostics and research.

Key payers in national coverage considerations include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find practical context on the clinical purpose of the test, likely sites of service, and typical laboratory workflow for sample collection and analysis. The publication outlines common billing considerations, payer coverage landscape, and coding relationships that influence claim submission and adjudication. It also provides benchmarks and policy updates where available, and highlights clinical situations in which measurement of exhaled breath pH may be used as part of patient evaluation.

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and related CPT or ancillary codes is noted elsewhere in the full document.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 83987 reports measurement of the pH of condensed, exhaled breath. The procedure involves collecting condensed exhaled breath condensate and analyzing the sample to determine acidity or alkalinity levels. This test is a laboratory measurement that provides information about respiratory tract acidity and can aid clinical assessment related to airway inflammation or other pulmonary conditions.

Service type: Laboratory test — measurement of exhaled breath pH
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult referred to a pulmonary function laboratory or outpatient respiratory clinic for evaluation of chronic cough, suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)–related airway irritation, or unexplained chronic laryngitis. The clinician orders exhaled breath condensate pH testing (CPT 83987) to assess airway acidity as a noninvasive biomarker of airway inflammation or aspiration. The patient arrives to the clinic or hospital outpatient laboratory, is seated, and breathes tidally into a cooled condenser device for a prescribed collection period (commonly 10–15 minutes) until sufficient condensate is collected. A laboratory analyst measures the pH of the condensed exhaled breath using a calibrated pH meter or validated test strip. Results are documented in the laboratory report and forwarded to the ordering provider for correlation with symptoms, esophageal testing, or pulmonary function studies. Typical sites of service include outpatient hospital clinics, ambulatory care centers, and specialized pulmonary function laboratories. Typical clinical indications include evaluation of chronic cough, suspected microaspiration from GERD, chronic rhinosinusitis with lower airway symptoms, and monitoring of airway acid exposure in patients with suspected aspiration or inflammatory airway disorders.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When billing only the professional interpretation or analysis of the test result separated from the technical component

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2086S0002X	Pulmonary Disease	Pulmonologists commonly order and interpret exhaled breath condensate testing
207RH0000X	Allergy & Immunology	Allergists evaluate airway inflammatory markers in chronic cough and asthma overlap
363LP0800X	Clinical Laboratory	Medical laboratory scientists and clinical laboratory personnel perform pH measurement and reporting
207L00000X	Otolaryngology	Otolaryngologists may use results when evaluating laryngeal symptoms and suspected reflux-related laryngitis
261QM0800X	Gastroenterology	Gastroenterologists use results in correlation with GERD and suspected aspiration cases

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`R05`	Cough	Common indication for exhaled breath condensate pH testing to evaluate airway acidity and reflux-related cough
`K21.9`	Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis	GERD can cause microaspiration and airway acidification assessed by exhaled breath pH
`J45.909`	Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated	Airway inflammation in asthma may be associated with altered exhaled breath pH; used for assessment or monitoring
`J98.01`	Acute bronchospasm	Used when broncho-reactivity is present and exhaled breath markers are measured as adjunctive testing
`R07.0`	Pain in throat	Laryngopharyngeal symptoms possibly related to acid exposure; test used in evaluation

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`94620`	Pulmonary stress testing; spirometry, with bronchodilator administration when performed	Performed before or after exhaled breath testing to assess reversible airway obstruction when cough or asthma is suspected
`94010`	Spirometry, including graphic record, total and timed vital capacity, expiratory flow rate measurement(s)	Baseline pulmonary function assessment often performed in the same visit as breath condensate collection
`83001`	Urine drug screen, qualitative; multiple drug classes	Not directly related but commonly performed in comprehensive outpatient evaluations when substance exposure is a concern (clinical workflow adjunct)
`81002`	Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent for bilirubin, glucose, hemoglobin, ketone, leukocytes, nitrite, pH, specific gravity	Ancillary point-of-care tests that may be collected during the same visit to evaluate systemic contributors to cough or reflux symptoms
`G0439`	Drug-screening laboratory test(s), definitive, each drug class; any number of methods, includes chromatography	Occasionally ordered for broader etiologic workups; may be sent with exhaled breath samples to reference labs

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Summary & Overview