CPT 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

CPT code 87525 represents a direct nucleic acid probe assay for detection of Hepatitis G virus (HGV/GBV). The test identifies viral genetic material and is used in diagnostic evaluation of suspected hepatitis or for epidemiologic and research purposes. As a molecular virology procedure performed in clinical laboratory settings, this code is relevant to hospital laboratories, independent reference labs, and public health laboratories across the country.

Key payers relevant to coverage and reimbursement discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what CPT code 87525 covers, the clinical context for testing, and the typical laboratory setting where the service is performed. The publication also summarizes common billing modifiers and related administrative considerations when available, and presents benchmarking and policy updates when applicable.

This summary is intended for a national audience and provides an overview of the clinical purpose of the assay, the typical service environment, and the payer landscape addressed in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 87525 describes a laboratory test that detects hepatitis G virus (HGV/GBV) using a direct nucleic acid probe technique. The service is a molecular diagnostic assay performed by a laboratory analyst to identify viral nucleic acid sequences consistent with hepatitis G infection.

Service type: Molecular diagnostic virology test
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

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CPT 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Molecular diagnostic virology test
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 42-year-old patient with elevated liver enzymes and a history of recent intravenous drug use presents to an outpatient infectious disease clinic for evaluation of viral hepatitis. The clinician orders a molecular diagnostic assay to detect Hepatitis G virus (HGV/GBV-C) RNA using a direct nucleic acid probe technique. Blood is collected in the laboratory phlebotomy area and routed to the molecular diagnostics laboratory. The lab analyst performs the 87525 test, which detects HGV RNA to determine active infection or carrier status. Results are reported to the ordering clinician and incorporated into the patient’s electronic medical record for treatment planning and public health reporting if appropriate.

Typical site of service: hospital-based outpatient laboratory, independent reference laboratory, or hospital molecular diagnostics laboratory.

Typical patient scenario: evaluation of unexplained transaminase elevation, screening in high-risk populations (e.g., persons who inject drugs, transfusion recipients), or epidemiologic surveillance where HGV RNA testing clarifies current infection status.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional interpretation component and the facility bills the technical component separately.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory work, reagents, instrument) and the professional interpretation is billed by another provider.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.
`91`	Not available in input	Data not available in the input.
`59`	Not available in input	Data not available in the input.
`91`	Not available in the input	Data not available in the input.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.
`91`	Not available in the input	Data not available in the input.
`22`	Unusual procedural services	Use when the test requires substantially greater resources than typical and documentation supports additional payment.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the laboratory performed a reduced version of the test or partial testing due to sample constraints.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when testing was started but discontinued and documentation supports the discontinuation.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Infectious Disease	Clinicians who order and interpret viral hepatitis testing.
207RR0500X	Pathology	Pathologists overseeing molecular diagnostic testing and result review.
207L00000X	Medical Laboratory	Clinical laboratory scientists and molecular diagnosticians performing the assay.
363LF0000X	Laboratory Director	Laboratory directors responsible for high-complexity molecular testing oversight.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Performed immediately before `87525` to obtain the specimen for nucleic acid testing.
`87880`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); amplified probe technique	Alternative molecular methods for viral RNA detection that may be used in parallel or instead of `87525` depending on platform.
`87491`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), direct probe technique, single target	Closely related methodology code for direct nucleic acid probe testing for other single-target pathogens; similar workflow and billing context.
`99000`	Handling and/or conveyance of specimen	Ancillary handling codes that may be used by some facilities when special specimen handling is required for molecular assays.
`80305`	Drug test, presumptive, any device by instrumented chemistry analyzers; multiple drug classes	Often ordered in high-risk patients alongside viral testing for comprehensive evaluation, though not directly part of `87525`.

CPT 87260: Adenovirus Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

CPT-87265-BORDETELLA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87265: Immunofluorescent Antigen Detection for Bordetella

CPT-87267-ENTEROVIRUS-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87267: Enterovirus Antigen Detection by Direct Fluorescent Antibody

CPT-87269-GIARDIA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87269: Immunofluorescent Detection of Giardia Antigen

CPT-87270-CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87270: Chlamydia trachomatis Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

CPT-87271-CMV-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87271: Cytomegalovirus Antigen Detection by DFA

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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Typical site of service: hospital-based outpatient laboratory, independent reference laboratory, or hospital molecular diagnostics laboratory.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional interpretation component and the facility bills the technical component separately.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory work, reagents, instrument) and the professional interpretation is billed by another provider.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.
`91`	Not available in input	Data not available in the input.
`59`	Not available in input	Data not available in the input.
`91`	Not available in the input	Data not available in the input.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.
`91`	Not available in the input	Data not available in the input.
`22`	Unusual procedural services	Use when the test requires substantially greater resources than typical and documentation supports additional payment.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the laboratory performed a reduced version of the test or partial testing due to sample constraints.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when testing was started but discontinued and documentation supports the discontinuation.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside/reference laboratory and the performing lab bills for the test.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Infectious Disease	Clinicians who order and interpret viral hepatitis testing.
207RR0500X	Pathology	Pathologists overseeing molecular diagnostic testing and result review.
207L00000X	Medical Laboratory	Clinical laboratory scientists and molecular diagnosticians performing the assay.
363LF0000X	Laboratory Director	Laboratory directors responsible for high-complexity molecular testing oversight.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Performed immediately before `87525` to obtain the specimen for nucleic acid testing.
`87880`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); amplified probe technique	Alternative molecular methods for viral RNA detection that may be used in parallel or instead of `87525` depending on platform.
`87491`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), direct probe technique, single target	Closely related methodology code for direct nucleic acid probe testing for other single-target pathogens; similar workflow and billing context.
`99000`	Handling and/or conveyance of specimen	Ancillary handling codes that may be used by some facilities when special specimen handling is required for molecular assays.
`80305`	Drug test, presumptive, any device by instrumented chemistry analyzers; multiple drug classes	Often ordered in high-risk patients alongside viral testing for comprehensive evaluation, though not directly part of `87525`.

CPT 87260: Adenovirus Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

CPT-87265-BORDETELLA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87265: Immunofluorescent Antigen Detection for Bordetella

CPT-87267-ENTEROVIRUS-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87267: Enterovirus Antigen Detection by Direct Fluorescent Antibody

CPT-87269-GIARDIA-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87269: Immunofluorescent Detection of Giardia Antigen

CPT-87270-CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS-IMMUNOFLUORESCENT-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87270: Chlamydia trachomatis Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescence

CPT-87271-CMV-DFA-ANTIGEN-DETECTION

CPT 87271: Cytomegalovirus Antigen Detection by DFA

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 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

Sign up for cpt 87525 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 87525: Hepatitis G (HGV/GBV) Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

Sign up for cpt 87525 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 87525 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are relevant for 87525 and when are they used?

In what clinical situations is the HGV RNA direct probe test (87525) used?

What related CPT codes or ancillary services are commonly associated with 87525?

Which payers are noted for coverage discussions and are reimbursement rates provided?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 87525 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are relevant for 87525 and when are they used?

In what clinical situations is the HGV RNA direct probe test (87525) used?

What related CPT codes or ancillary services are commonly associated with 87525?

Which payers are noted for coverage discussions and are reimbursement rates provided?

References