CPT code 87506 describes a laboratory test that detects six to eleven gastrointestinal pathogens or subtypes (for example, Clostridium difficile, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, norovirus, Giardia) using nucleic acid detection methods such as multiplex reverse transcription and multiplex amplified probe techniques; the service is a multiplex molecular infectious disease assay typically performed by a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory and reported as a laboratory diagnostic service for patients presenting with gastrointestinal infection symptoms.

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.