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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExamination, Homogenization and Concentration ProceduresCPT cpt-87177-parasitology-stool-concentration-and-ova-evaluation
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    CPT 87177: Stool Parasite and Ova Concentration and Microscopic Evaluation

    CPT code 87177 describes the laboratory technical procedure to concentrate and examine specimens, typically stool, to detect parasites and ova (parasite eggs); this is a parasitology concentration and microscopic evaluation service usually performed by a clinical laboratory technologist or analyst as a laboratory/diagnostic service in a clinical laboratory or hospital lab setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policy, Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical Guideline, Non-Emergent Ambulance Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient presents to an outpatient clinic or emergency department with gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, and possible weight loss after recent travel or exposure to childcare settings. The clinician orders stool testing to evaluate for parasitic infection. A stool specimen is collected and sent to the clinical laboratory. The lab technologist receives the specimen and the lab analyst performs the technical concentration and microscopic examination steps to identify intestinal parasites and ova, following standardized ova and parasite (O&P) concentration methods. Results are documented in the laboratory information system and reported to the ordering provider for treatment decisions. Typical sites of service include hospital laboratories, independent clinical laboratories, and outpatient clinic or urgent care specimen collection with lab processing by a central reference lab.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81002Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent; non-automated, without microscopyPerformed in the same lab setting for concurrent basic screening of specimens when evaluating systemic illness.
    87070Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood or stool, with isolation and presumptive identification of organismsMay be ordered concurrently if bacterial enteric pathogens are also suspected alongside parasites.
    87252Smear, primary source with interpretation; microorganism identification by stain for infectious agents, per organismUsed when direct smears and staining (e.g., trichrome, iron hematoxylin) are performed in addition to concentration and ova identification.
    87420Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, 1 step method; Giardia lambliaPerformed alongside O&P concentration when specific rapid antigen testing for Giardia is requested.
    87506Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, 1 step method; CryptosporidiumPerformed alongside O&P testing when Cryptosporidium is suspected and antigen testing is ordered.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208000000X
    208D00000X
    246Z00000X
    207K00000X
    2085D0003X
    224Z00000X
    347C00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-87164-DARK-FIELD-MICROSCOPIC-EXAM-DIRECT-SPECIMEN

    CPT 87164: Dark-Field Microscopy of Direct Specimen

    CPT-87166-DARK-FIELD-MICROSCOPY-DIRECT-SPECIMEN

    CPT 87166: Dark-Field Microscopic Exam of Direct Specimen

    CPT-87168-ARTHROPOD-IDENTIFICATION-MACROSCOPIC-EXAM

    CPT 87168: Arthropod Identification, Direct Examination

    CPT-87169-PARASITOLOGY-MACROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

    CPT 87169: Parasite Identification Without Microscope

    CPT-87172-PINWORM-ADHESIVE-TAPE-EXAMINATION

    CPT 87172: Pinworm Examination by Tape or Paddle

    CPT-87176-TISSUE-HOMOGENIZATION-FOR-CULTURE-PREPARATION

    CPT 87176: Tissue Homogenization for Culture Preparation

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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