Summary & Overview
CPT 87177: Parasitology Stool Concentration and Ova Evaluation
CPT code 87177 covers the laboratory technical procedure to concentrate and microscopically evaluate specimens (commonly stool) for parasites and parasite eggs (ova). This code identifies a specific parasitology testing step that plays a role in diagnosing gastrointestinal parasitic infections and guiding clinical management. Nationally, accurate coding for parasitology concentration techniques supports laboratory reporting, appropriate payment, and epidemiologic surveillance of parasitic disease.
Key payers in the coverage landscape include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage policies, medical necessity criteria, and payment rates for parasitology testing can vary across these payers.
Readers will learn the clinical context of 87177, typical sites where the service is provided, and the practical implications of correct code use. The publication presents benchmarks and summary policy perspectives relevant to laboratories and providers, highlights common modifier usage where available, and outlines where to look for payer-specific coverage rules. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This resource serves laboratory managers, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking a concise national overview of CPT code 87177.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87177 describes a laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst performs the technical steps to concentrate and evaluate specimens, such as stool, to identify parasites and parasite eggs (ova) when present. This service is a focused parasitology laboratory technique used to detect intestinal parasites through concentration and microscopic evaluation of specimens.
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Service type: Parasitology laboratory concentration and microscopic evaluation
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting where specimen processing and microscopic evaluation are performed
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.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician or pathologist professional interpretation component, if applicable to microscopic review. |
TC | Technical component | Use when billing only the technical component for laboratory processing and microscopic concentration steps performed by the lab. |