Summary & Overview
CPT 87147: Immunoassay on Isolated Organism for Typing
CPT code 87147 defines an immunoassay, other than immunofluorescence, performed on a previously isolated and identified organism to provide more specific categorization (for example, typing an organism to a particular taxonomic type). This code matters nationally because organism typing supports infection control, public health surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and accurate clinical decision-making. Laboratories use this assay to refine organism identification beyond basic culture and biochemical methods.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical intent of the code, the common laboratory service context and site of service, and a summary of payer coverage patterns. The publication outlines benchmarks and utilization context, highlights relevant policy considerations affecting laboratory billing, and situates CPT code 87147 within standard laboratory workflows. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable, and the content is organized to help laboratory managers, coding staff, and policy analysts quickly understand the code’s clinical purpose and payer landscape.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87147 describes a laboratory immunoassay performed on a previously isolated and identified organism to provide more specific categorization, such as typing the organism to a finer taxonomic level. The procedure is an immunoassay (non-immunofluorescence) applied to an isolate rather than directly to patient specimens.
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Service type: Laboratory diagnostic immunoassay on isolated organisms
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting where microbial isolates are processed and characterized
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 48-year-old inpatient in a tertiary care hospital develops a bloodstream infection. Blood cultures isolate a gram-positive cocci, and the microbiology laboratory performs primary identification. To further characterize the isolate for epidemiology and targeted therapy, the lab analyst performs an immunoassay (non-immunofluorescence) on the previously isolated and identified organism to categorize it to a more specific taxonomic level, such as type or serogroup. The clinical workflow: specimen collection and culture → organism isolation and preliminary ID (phenotypic or automated system) → ordering of supplemental immunoassay testing (87147) → performance of the immunoassay on the isolated organism by a trained laboratory scientist → result interpretation and reporting to the treating team and infection control for antimicrobial selection and outbreak surveillance.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the professional interpretation portion if separated from technical work |
59 | Distinct procedural service |