Summary & Overview
CPT 87300: Immunofluorescent Antigen Detection for Multiple Organisms
CPT code 87300 denotes a laboratory immunofluorescence procedure that detects antigens from multiple specific organisms using an immunofluorescent antibody stain and fluorescence microscopy. This code represents a targeted, microscopy-based antigen detection service commonly performed in clinical or hospital laboratories and is relevant for infectious disease diagnosis and outbreak investigation. Nationally, antigen-detection immunofluorescence remains an important diagnostic tool where rapid organism identification guides clinical management and public health response.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of CPT code 87300, including clinical context, typical sites of service, and payer coverage themes. The publication outlines commonly reported modifiers and operational considerations where available, and it summarizes benchmarking and policy-relevant information when present.
This summary provides clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with an overview of the code's clinical role, payer considerations, and the types of information included in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87300 describes an immunologic laboratory test in which a lab analyst detects antigens from multiple specific organisms using methods such as an immunofluorescent antibody stain and fluorescence microscopy. The procedure identifies presence of targeted microbial antigens in clinical specimens.
Service Type
- Laboratory diagnostic test involving immunofluorescence-based antigen detection.
Typical Site of Service
- Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory equipped for immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 42-year-old immunocompetent adult presents to the outpatient infectious disease clinic with a 5-day history of acute onset sore throat, fever, conjunctivitis, and a diffuse maculopapular rash after close contact with a family member who recently had an upper respiratory infection. The clinician obtains combined nasopharyngeal and conjunctival specimens and sends them to the hospital microbiology laboratory for multiplex direct antigen detection using immunofluorescent antibody staining and fluorescence microscopy to identify specific viral and atypical respiratory pathogens.
The laboratory analyst performs 87300 on prepared specimens, applying fluorescently labeled antibodies directed against multiple target organisms and reads slides under a fluorescence microscope. Results are reported in the electronic medical record to guide infection control, antiviral therapy decisions, and public health reporting. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic with specimens processed in a hospital or reference laboratory microbiology department. Turnaround time commonly ranges from same day to 48 hours depending on lab workflow.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the professional interpretation/reading of the immunofluorescent test separate from technical work. |