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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfectious Agent Antigen DetectionCPT cpt-87280-rsv-antigen-detection-immunofluorescence
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    CPT 87280: RSV Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT code 87280 describes a laboratory test for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigens using immunofluorescent antibody staining and fluorescence microscopy; service type: viral antigen detection by immunofluorescence, typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory where a lab analyst performs the staining and microscopic interpretation for respiratory specimen testing.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays, Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an infant or young child presenting to an outpatient clinic, urgent care, emergency department, or pediatric hospital unit during RSV season with symptoms of bronchiolitis or lower respiratory tract infection such as cough, tachypnea, wheezing, nasal flaring, poor feeding, or hypoxia. A clinician collects a nasopharyngeal swab or aspirate and sends the specimen to the hospital or reference laboratory. A laboratory technologist or medical technologist performs an immunofluorescent antibody stain and evaluates the specimen by fluorescence microscopy to detect respiratory syncytial virus antigen, documented as CPT 87280. Results are reported to the ordering provider and entered into the electronic health record to inform infection control, antiviral decisions, and supportive management. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, hospital laboratories, and public health laboratories. Common workflow steps: clinician collects specimen → specimen labeled and transported to lab → lab accessioning and processing → immunofluorescent staining and fluorescence microscopy interpretation → result reporting and coding for billing as CPT 87280.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87804Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, RSV; single step method (e.g., enzyme immunoassay, immunochromatographic)Alternative rapid antigen method often used at point-of-care instead of immunofluorescent assay; may be performed before or instead of CPT 87280.
    87252Smear, primary source with interpretation; each smear, bacterial or fungal (includes direct fluorescent antibody for certain organisms)Performed when a direct smear or DFA is done for other respiratory pathogens; may accompany RSV antigen testing for broader evaluation.
    87449Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); respiratory syncytial virus, amplified probe techniqueMolecular testing for RSV with higher sensitivity; commonly ordered when antigen test is negative but clinical suspicion persists or for hospitalized patients.
    87400Infectious agent detection by immunoassay for multiple targets (influenza A/B, RSV combos vary by payer)Multiplex immunoassays including RSV and influenza are frequently used in the same clinical workflow as single-target immunofluorescent RSV antigen testing.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from physician to laboratory (when applicable)May be used for specimen handling charges when separate billing is allowed in the facility workflow.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    363LF0000XFamily Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    261QX0200XOncology Clinic/CenterAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic, treatment and prescriptive services related to cancerous conditions. Servic…
    2084P0005XNeurodevelopmental Disabilities PhysicianA neurologist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with developmental delays and learning disorders associated with cerebral palsy, spina b…
    207PE0004XEmergency Medical Services (Emergency Medicine) PhysicianAn emergency medicine physician who specializes in non-hospital based emergency medical services (e.g., disaster site, accident scene, transport vehic…
    261QR0206XMammography Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2080P0202XPediatric Cardiology PhysicianA pediatric cardiologist provides comprehensive care to patients with cardiovascular problems. This specialist is skilled in selecting, performing and…
    207XX0005XSports Medicine (Orthopaedic Surgery) PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon trained in sports medicine provides appropriate care for all structures of the musculoskeletal system directly affected by part…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    B-Hemolytic Streptococcus TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance AssaysOscar Health2026-10-01
    Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-87260-ADENOVIRUS-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87260: Adenovirus Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87265-BORDETELLA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87265: Bordetella Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87267-ENTEROVIRUS-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87267: Enterovirus Antigen Detection by DFA

    CPT-87269-GIARDIA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87269: Giardia Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87270-CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87270: Chlamydia trachomatis Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87271-CMV-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87271: CMV Antigen Detection by Direct Fluorescent Antibody

    CPT-87272-CRYPTOSPORIDIUM-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87272: Cryptosporidium Antigen Immunofluorescent Test

    CPT-87273-HSV-2-ANTIGEN-IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

    CPT 87273: HSV-2 Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87274-HSV-1-ANTIGEN-IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

    CPT 87274: HSV-1 Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    CPT-87275-INFLUENZA-B-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

    CPT 87275: Influenza B Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

    Showing 1–10 of 167

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    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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