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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfectious Agent Antigen DetectionCPT cpt-87427-shiga-like-toxin-eia-detection
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    CPT 87427: Enzyme Immunoassay for Shiga-like Toxins

    CPT code 87427 describes an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) laboratory test performed to detect Shiga-like toxins produced by organisms such as Shigella dysenteriae type 1 or verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC); the service is a microbiology/toxicology diagnostic assay typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting and billed as a laboratory infectious disease test.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult or pediatric patient presenting to an urgent care clinic or emergency department with acute onset of bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, fever, or a history of recent travel or a suspected foodborne outbreak. The clinician collects a stool specimen and orders a laboratory diagnostic panel for enteric pathogens; the laboratory performs 87427 using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect shiga-like toxins (Shiga toxin 1 and 2) produced by organisms such as Shigella dysenteriae type 1 or Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (e.g., E. coli O157:H7). The workflow includes specimen receipt, accessioning, performing the EIA per manufacturer instructions, running appropriate controls, reporting positive or negative toxin results to the ordering clinician, and reflexing to culture or molecular confirmation (if local protocol requires) for public health reporting. Results inform clinical management (e.g., fluid resuscitation, avoidance of antibiotics when contraindicated for EHEC), infection control precautions, and notification to public health authorities in outbreak situations.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87045Culture, bacteria; stool, subculture for presumptive identification (e.g., enteric pathogens)May be performed after 87427 to culture and identify Shigella or E. coli isolates for confirmation and susceptibility testing.
    87449Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); multiple organisms, gastrointestinal pathogen panel (e.g., multiplex PCR)Performed as an expanded molecular panel that may be ordered alongside or instead of 87427 for broader pathogen detection.
    87802Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay, for Clostridium difficile toxins A and BOther stool antigen testing commonly ordered in differential diagnosis of infectious diarrhea.
    87046Culture, bacteria; stool, presumptive identification of enteric pathogensUsed for primary culture and identification of enteric bacterial pathogens when toxin EIA is positive or when culture is indicated.
    G0444Enteric pathogen testing for public health surveillance (when applicable — payor-specific)May be used for notify/reporting workflows or specific public health testing programs associated with positive 87427 results.

    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    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…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    163WH0200XHome Health Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    172A00000XDriverA person employed to operate a motor vehicle as a carrier of persons or property.
    261QM3000XMedically Fragile Infants and Children Day CareAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility specially equipped and staffed to provide care for medically fragile children with varied and comp…
    261QC1800XCorporate Health Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2355S0801XSpeech-Language AssistantSpeech, Language and Hearing Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist
    363LC0200XCritical Care Medicine Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A00.0Cholera due to Vibrio cholerae 01, biovar cholerae
    A02.0Salmonella enteritis
    A02.9Salmonella infection, unspecified
    A04.0Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection
    A04.2Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli infection
    A04.3Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection
    A04.5Campylobacter enteritis
    A04.6Enteritis due to Yersinia enterocolitica
    A05.0Foodborne staphylococcal intoxication
    A05.8Other specified bacterial foodborne intoxications

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    10 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 Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)blue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15

    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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