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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesPrimary Source Smear ProceduresCPT cpt-87206-fluorescent-acid-fast-stain-microscopy
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    CPT 87206: Fluorescent/Acid-Fast Stain Microscopy

    CPT code 87206 describes a technical laboratory procedure for microscopic examination using a fluorescent stain, an acid-fast stain, or both to detect bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, or specific cell types; this is a microbiology/microscopy diagnostic test typically performed as a laboratory technical service in a clinical laboratory or hospital pathology 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 or hospital laboratory with signs or symptoms suggesting infectious organisms or abnormal cells requiring microscopic identification. Typical scenarios include a hospitalized adult with persistent cough and suspected pulmonary tuberculosis where sputum specimens are submitted for acid-fast staining, an emergency department patient with suspected bacterial meningitis whose cerebrospinal fluid is sent for fluorescent or Gram/fluorescent stain to look for bacteria or fungi, or an outpatient dermatology clinic sending a skin scraping to the lab to evaluate for fungal elements with fluorescent stain. The clinical workflow: a clinician collects an appropriate specimen (sputum, CSF, urine, wound swab, tissue, skin scraping), labels and routes it to the clinical microbiology or pathology laboratory. A laboratory technologist/process analyst performs the technical staining procedure using fluorescent stain and/or acid-fast stain techniques, prepares slides, examines under a microscope, documents findings, and reports results to the ordering provider. Results guide further testing (culture, molecular tests) and immediate clinical decisions such as isolation for acid-fast organisms or empiric antimicrobial therapy.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87205Smear, primary source with interpretation; Gram or Giemsa stain for bacteria, fungi, or cell types (except fluorescent stain)Alternative or complementary microscopic smears; may be ordered when fluorescent stain is not used or in addition to provide morphology.
    87207Smear, primary source with interpretation; fluorescent antibody technique for identification of specific organismsPerformed when organism-specific fluorescent antibody testing is required after or instead of general fluorescent/acid-fast stains.
    87070Culture, bacterial; quantitative colony count, urineOften performed following an abnormal stain suggesting bacterial infection to identify organism and susceptibilities.
    88112Cytopathology, cell block with non-gynecologic source, microscopic examinationMay follow when cellular atypia is suspected on stained preparations requiring further cytologic evaluation.
    87471Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (e.g., amplified probe technique)Molecular testing often follows an initial positive or suspicious stain to confirm specific pathogens.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    163WX0106X
    146N00000X
    251X00000X
    261QP2000X
    207PP0204X
    2279H0200X
    374K00000X
    2084S0012X

    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-87205-GRAM-GIEMSA-STAIN-PRIMARY-SOURCE

    CPT 87205: Gram or Giemsa Stain with Interpretation

    CPT-87207-SLIDE-ANALYSIS-FOR-INCLUSION-BODIES-PRIMARY-SOURCE

    CPT 87207: Slide Analysis for Inclusion Bodies

    CPT-87209-OVA-AND-PARASITE-COMPLEX-SPECIAL-STAIN

    CPT 87209: Complex Special Stain for Ova and Parasites

    CPT-87210-WET-MOUNT-PREPARATION-MICROSCOPY

    CPT 87210: Wet Mount Preparation and Microscopic Examination

    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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