CPT code 87521 represents a molecular diagnostic test that uses an amplified probe technique to provide a definitive diagnosis of hepatitis C infection from a patient specimen. This code is significant nationally because hepatitis C diagnosis drives linkage to treatment, public health reporting, and clinical management decisions for a common viral infection with important long-term consequences.

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 purpose of the test, typical sites of service, and the service type (molecular diagnostic testing). The publication provides benchmarks and policy context relevant to laboratory billing and payer coverage for molecular hepatitis C testing, plus practical notes on billing practice and common modifiers used with laboratory services.

The report is intended for clinicians, laboratory managers, and billing professionals seeking a national perspective on CPT code 87521: what it represents, where it is performed, which payers typically cover it, and key policy and billing considerations affecting use and reimbursement.