Summary & Overview
CPT 87150: Amplified DNA/RNA Probe Analysis for Organism Typing
CPT code 87150 covers amplified DNA or RNA probe analysis performed on a previously isolated and identified organism to provide more specific classification, often to the taxonomic type level. This laboratory molecular test supports clinical decision-making, infection control, epidemiology, and public health surveillance by refining organism identification beyond standard phenotypic methods. Nationally, accurate organism typing informs antimicrobial stewardship and outbreak response across acute care and reference laboratory settings. Key payers referenced in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find benchmarks on utilization and reimbursement patterns, summaries of payer coverage considerations, and clinical context on when amplified probe organism typing is used versus other molecular or culture-based methods. The publication outlines common clinical scenarios prompting the test, typical laboratory workflows and sites of service, and policy updates affecting lab billing for molecular identification procedures. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87150 describes a laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst uses an amplified DNA or RNA probe technique to analyze a previously isolated and identified organism for more specific classification, such as to the taxonomic level of type. This service is a molecular or nucleic acid-based organism typing and characterization procedure performed on cultured isolates.
Service type: Amplified nucleic acid probe analysis for organism typing
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory, performed on isolated specimens from prior microbiology workups
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old patient is admitted with persistent fever and signs of a severe bacterial infection after initial culture identified a gram-negative bacillus. The microbiology laboratory has an isolated organism from the clinical specimen and performs nucleic acid amplification probe testing to subtype and categorize the organism to the taxonomic level of type. The workflow: specimen collection and culture growth → preliminary identification (microscopy, biochemical tests) → isolate sent for amplified DNA/RNA probe analysis (87150) to confirm species/strain-level identification → results reported to the ordering clinician and infection control. Typical site of service is an inpatient hospital microbiology laboratory or a high-complexity reference laboratory. The procedure is ordered when more specific identification is necessary for epidemiology, targeted antimicrobial therapy, or outbreak investigation, and results are routed to the infectious disease team and the laboratory information system for documentation in the medical record.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the professional interpretation component performed by a physician or qualified laboratory professional separate from the technical component. |