Summary & Overview
CPT 87391: HIV-2 Antigen Detection by Immunoassay
CPT code 87391 identifies a laboratory immunoassay performed to detect antigens of human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2). This test plays a role in diagnosing or screening for HIV-2 infection and is relevant to public health surveillance, infectious disease management, and laboratory service billing on a national scale. Accurate coding for antigen detection is important for clinical decision-making, reporting, and reimbursement workflows across payers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for antigen-based HIV-2 testing, the typical laboratory and site-of-service settings where the test is performed, and the payer landscape relevant to claims processing. The publication outlines common billing modifiers and identifies where input data is not available.
The report helps readers understand the purpose of CPT code 87391, how it fits into laboratory infectious disease testing, and what to expect when preparing claims for major commercial payers and Medicare. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where relevant.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87391 describes an immunoassay test to detect antigens of human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2). The procedure is performed by a laboratory analyst using an immunoassay technique, such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA), to identify HIV-2 antigens in patient specimens.
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test — infectious disease serology
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old adult presents to an outpatient infectious disease clinic after a potential exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a sexual partner of known HIV-2 positivity. The clinician orders laboratory screening to detect HIV-2 antigen using an immunoassay technique (e.g., enzyme immunoassay). Blood is drawn in the clinic phlebotomy area and sent to the hospital or reference laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs the 87391 immunoassay to detect HIV-2 antigen as part of initial screening or follow-up testing. Results are reported to the ordering clinician through the electronic medical record; positive or indeterminate results prompt reflex confirmatory testing and public health reporting per facility protocol. Typical sites of service include outpatient laboratory, hospital laboratory, public health laboratory, and reference diagnostic centers.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional component (interpretation/service) if the laboratory separates technical and professional components. |
TC | Technical component |