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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfectious Agent Antigen DetectionCPT cpt-87529-herpes-simplex-virus-nucleic-acid-probe
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    CPT 87529: Herpes Simplex Virus, Amplified Nucleic Acid Probe

    CPT code 87529 reports an amplified nucleic acid probe test for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) performed by a laboratory analyst, representing a molecular diagnostic assay used to detect HSV DNA or RNA from clinical specimens; the service type is molecular diagnostic testing and the typical site of service is a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory where specimen collection and nucleic acid amplification are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Truvada (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) for HIV Prevention and Treatment, HIV/AIDS Pharmacologic Prevention and Treatment, Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Agents for HIV.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient presents to an urgent care or outpatient clinic with acute painful grouped vesicular lesions on the lip, mouth, genitalia, or perioral/perineal skin. The clinician performs a focused history and exam noting clusters of vesicles and erythema consistent with possible primary or recurrent Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. A swab of a fresh lesion is collected and sent to the laboratory for an amplified nucleic acid probe test for HSV, billed with 87529. The typical workflow: clinician documents lesion appearance and indication for testing, obtains informed consent for specimen collection, collects a swab of vesicular fluid or base of an ulcer using recommended technique, labels and submits the specimen to the clinical laboratory, and orders 87529 for HSV detection by nucleic acid amplification. Results are returned to the ordering clinician who documents interpretation and any treatment decisions. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, emergency departments, and hospital laboratories performing the diagnostic assay. Typical patient scenario: an adult with new-onset painful genital blisters after sexual contact; a pregnant patient with orolabial lesions requiring HSV testing to guide peripartum management; or an immunocompromised patient with atypical cutaneous lesions requiring laboratory confirmation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87661Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); herpes simplex virus, types 1 and 2, amplified probe technique, multiplexAlternative or complementary molecular assay that detects and differentiates HSV-1 and HSV-2; may be ordered instead of or in addition to 87529 depending on lab capabilities.
    87804Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, herpes simplex virus, direct probe techniqueAntigen-based testing sometimes used in point-of-care settings; less sensitive than amplified nucleic acid tests like 87529.
    87070Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood or stool, includes isolation and presumptive identification of isolatesViral culture of lesion specimen is an alternative diagnostic method though less sensitive and slower than nucleic acid amplification.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from physician to the laboratoryAncillary service code used in some settings for specimen transport when separately billable; relates to logistics of submitting the specimen for 87529.
    85025Blood count; automated white blood cell (WBC) with differentialCommonly ordered in patients with systemic symptoms to evaluate for systemic infection or immunosuppression in conjunction with HSV testing.

    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…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208D00000X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    175L00000X
    2084N0402X
    364SP1700X
    363LN0000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    21 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A54.02Gonococcal vulvovaginitis, unspecified
    A60.1Herpesviral infection of perianal skin and rectum
    A60.9Anogenital herpesviral infection, unspecified
    B00.0Eczema herpeticum
    B00.1Herpesviral vesicular dermatitis
    B00.2Herpesviral gingivostomatitis and pharyngotonsillitis
    B00.3Herpesviral meningitis
    B00.4Herpesviral encephalitis
    B00.7Disseminated herpesviral disease
    H61.23Impacted cerumen, bilateral

    Showing 1–10 of 21

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Truvada (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) for HIV Prevention and Treatmentpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-10-01
    HIV/AIDS Pharmacologic Prevention and Treatmentpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-10-01
    Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Agents for HIVColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    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
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01

    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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