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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfectious Agent Antigen DetectionCPT cpt-87552-mycobacterium-nucleic-acid-probe
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    CPT 87552: Mycobacterium Nucleic Acid Probe Quantitation

    CPT code 87552 describes a laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst performs a nucleic acid probe technique to detect and quantify infection with Mycobacterium species (acid-fast bacteria); the service is a molecular diagnostic infectious disease test typically performed in a clinical laboratory or reference laboratory setting on specimens collected from patients with suspected mycobacterial infection.

    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.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient presents to an outpatient infectious disease clinic with a two-week history of persistent cough, night sweats, weight loss, and intermittent low-grade fevers. The clinician obtains a sputum specimen after appropriate collection technique and orders a nucleic acid probe test to detect Mycobacterium species. The specimen is sent to the clinical microbiology laboratory where a medical technologist or lab analyst performs the nucleic acid probe assay to identify and quantify Mycobacterium organisms (acid-fast bacteria). Results are reported to the ordering clinician and entered in the laboratory information system; positive identification prompts initiation or adjustment of anti-mycobacterial therapy and public health notification as indicated. Typical workflow steps include specimen receipt and accessioning, sample preparation, probe hybridization and detection, quality controls, interpretation, and result reporting. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic or hospital laboratory performing microbiology testing; the service type is laboratory diagnostic testing using molecular nucleic acid probe technique.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87015Culture, bacterial, any other source except blood, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates; 1 organismPerformed when culture is needed to grow mycobacteria for susceptibility testing and species confirmation
    87070Culture, bacterial, including colony count, urine, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolatesUsed for nonrespiratory specimens where culture is indicated in suspected mycobacterial infection
    87481Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycobacterium tuberculosis, amplified probe technique, qualitative or quantitativeAlternative/related molecular test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using amplification methods
    87492Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid; Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, quantificationUsed when quantitative nucleic acid amplification testing for M. tuberculosis is ordered
    87396Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (e.g., probe); Mycobacterium species, identificationPerformed for identification of Mycobacterium species using nucleic acid probe methods and may be ordered alongside or as confirmatory 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…
    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…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RG0300XGeriatric Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who has special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative aspects o…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    311500000XAlzheimer Center (Dementia Center)A freestanding facility or special care unit of a long term care facility focusing on patient care of individuals diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer…
    261QR0800XRecovery Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    224P00000XProsthetistA health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive prosthetic patient care for individuals who have sustained…
    1835P1200XPharmacotherapy PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in optimizing pharmacotherapeutic care of patients, by developing, implemen…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    21 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A15.0Tuberculosis of lung
    A15.9Respiratory tuberculosis unspecified
    A17.0Tuberculous meningitis
    A17.1Meningeal tuberculoma
    A17.9Tuberculosis of nervous system, unspecified
    A18.2Tuberculous peripheral lymphadenopathy
    A18.4Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
    A31.0Pulmonary mycobacterial infection
    A31.1Cutaneous mycobacterial infection
    A31.8Other mycobacterial infections

    Showing 1–10 of 21

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar 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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