CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

CPT code 87487 describes a laboratory test that quantifies infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae using a nucleic acid probe technique; service type: infectious disease molecular diagnostic test performed by a clinical laboratory, typical site of service: hospital or reference laboratory / outpatient lab.

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CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 87487 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 87487 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient clinic or emergency department with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection such as persistent cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, fever, or atypical pneumonia not improving with initial empiric therapy. The clinician obtains a nasopharyngeal swab, throat swab, or lower respiratory specimen and sends it to the clinical laboratory for nucleic acid probe testing to quantify infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae using CPT 87487. The laboratory analyst performs the nucleic acid probe technique and reports a quantitative result to the ordering clinician. Results inform antimicrobial selection (for example, macrolides or tetracyclines) and public health reporting when indicated. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, hospital outpatient laboratories, and inpatient hospital laboratories. The workflow includes specimen collection, labeling and transport to the lab, accessioning, nucleic acid probe testing, result verification by a technologist or pathologist, and electronic result reporting to the ordering provider.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`87476`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Chlamydia trachomatis, amplified probe technique, direct probe	Often ordered concurrently when clinicians evaluate for multiple Chlamydia species or genital sources depending on clinical presentation.
`87591`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Bordetella pertussis, amplified probe technique	May be ordered in the differential diagnosis of atypical respiratory infections presenting with prolonged cough.
`87502`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycoplasma pneumoniae, amplified probe technique	Commonly performed alongside `CPT 87487` when evaluating atypical community-acquired pneumonia to identify alternative atypical pathogens.
`87070`	Culture, bacterial, any other source except urine, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates	May be ordered if a clinician also suspects bacterial coinfection and wants culture-based identification and susceptibility testing.
`87487`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Chlamydia pneumoniae, amplified probe technique, quantitative	The index test used to quantify `Chlamydia pneumoniae` nucleic acid in respiratory specimens; informs diagnosis and antimicrobial decisions.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family 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…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
1223G0001X	General Practice Dentistry	A general dentist is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages. The general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, manag…
156FX1100X	Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist	An ophthalmic technician/technologist assists ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions, including administering eye exams, adminis…
363LP0200X	Pediatric Nurse Practitioner	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
207ZP0007X	Molecular Genetic Pathology (Pathology) Physician	A molecular genetic pathologist is expert in the principles, theory and technologies of molecular biology and molecular genetics. This expertise is us…
251X00000X	Supports Brokerage Agency	A provider of service/function that assists participating individuals to make informed decisions about what will work best for them is consistent with…
163WR0006X	Registered Nurse First Assistant	A perioperative registered nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal outcomes. The RNFA…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
B37.9	Candidiasis, unspecified
B96.0	Mycoplasma pneumoniae [M. pneumoniae] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
J02.9	Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
J06.9	Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified
J10.1	Influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations
J11.1	Influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations
J12.9	Viral pneumonia, unspecified
J15.9	Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
J17	Pneumonia in diseases classified elsewhere
J18.9	Pneumonia, unspecified organism

Showing 1–10 of 27

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Lyme Disease Testing Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Pathogen Panel Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted Infections	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent Tuberculosis	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testing for Vector-Borne Infections	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient Setting	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15

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

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`87476`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Chlamydia trachomatis, amplified probe technique, direct probe	Often ordered concurrently when clinicians evaluate for multiple Chlamydia species or genital sources depending on clinical presentation.
`87591`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Bordetella pertussis, amplified probe technique	May be ordered in the differential diagnosis of atypical respiratory infections presenting with prolonged cough.
`87502`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycoplasma pneumoniae, amplified probe technique	Commonly performed alongside `CPT 87487` when evaluating atypical community-acquired pneumonia to identify alternative atypical pathogens.
`87070`	Culture, bacterial, any other source except urine, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates	May be ordered if a clinician also suspects bacterial coinfection and wants culture-based identification and susceptibility testing.
`87487`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Chlamydia pneumoniae, amplified probe technique, quantitative	The index test used to quantify `Chlamydia pneumoniae` nucleic acid in respiratory specimens; informs diagnosis and antimicrobial decisions.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family 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…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
1223G0001X	General Practice Dentistry	A general dentist is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages. The general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, manag…
156FX1100X	Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist	An ophthalmic technician/technologist assists ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions, including administering eye exams, adminis…
363LP0200X	Pediatric Nurse Practitioner	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
207ZP0007X	Molecular Genetic Pathology (Pathology) Physician	A molecular genetic pathologist is expert in the principles, theory and technologies of molecular biology and molecular genetics. This expertise is us…
251X00000X	Supports Brokerage Agency	A provider of service/function that assists participating individuals to make informed decisions about what will work best for them is consistent with…
163WR0006X	Registered Nurse First Assistant	A perioperative registered nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal outcomes. The RNFA…

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
B37.9	Candidiasis, unspecified
B96.0	Mycoplasma pneumoniae [M. pneumoniae] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
J02.9	Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
J06.9	Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified
J10.1	Influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations
J11.1	Influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations
J12.9	Viral pneumonia, unspecified
J15.9	Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
J17	Pneumonia in diseases classified elsewhere
J18.9	Pneumonia, unspecified organism

Showing 1–10 of 27

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Lyme Disease Testing Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Pathogen Panel Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted Infections	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent Tuberculosis	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testing for Vector-Borne Infections	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient Setting	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15

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

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

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OpenPayer

CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

Sign up for cpt 87487 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

Sign up for cpt 87487 policy alerts

CPT 87487: Chlamydia pneumoniae Quantitative Nucleic Acid Probe

Sign up for cpt 87487 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 87487 represent and where is it typically performed?

What specimen types and clinical workflow are associated with this test?

Which other tests are commonly ordered alongside CPT 87487?

Which diagnosis codes are typically associated with ordering this test?

Which payers are noted as covering CPT 87487 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 87487 represent and where is it typically performed?

What specimen types and clinical workflow are associated with this test?

Which other tests are commonly ordered alongside CPT 87487?

Which diagnosis codes are typically associated with ordering this test?

Which payers are noted as covering CPT 87487 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References