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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfectious Agent Antigen DetectionCPT cpt-87650-streptococcus-group-a-nucleic-acid-probe
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    CPT 87650: Streptococcus Group A Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test

    CPT code 87650 reports a laboratory test for Streptococcus group A performed using a direct nucleic acid probe technique, classified as a molecular infectious disease assay; the service type is laboratory diagnostic testing and the typical site of service is a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory where specimens are processed by a lab analyst.

    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 7-year-old child presents to a primary care clinic with 24 hours of sore throat, fever, tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and tonsillar exudate. The clinician performs a rapid molecular test for Group A Streptococcus using a direct nucleic acid probe technique to quickly confirm or exclude streptococcal pharyngitis and guide treatment decisions. A throat swab is collected by the clinical staff and sent to the on-site or reference laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs 87650 using the direct nucleic acid probe method, documents specimen adequacy and results in the laboratory information system, and reports a positive or negative result to the ordering provider. Typical workflow includes specimen accessioning, test setup, analysis, result validation by the technologist and, when applicable, release of the report to the ordering provider. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, urgent care, or hospital outpatient laboratory that performs molecular infectious disease testing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87880Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay, multiple-step technique; Streptococcus, group ARapid antigen detection test often used at point-of-care before or instead of molecular testing; less sensitive than 87650.
    87070Culture, bacteria; throat, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identificationThroat culture is the reference standard for Group A streptococcal diagnosis and may be performed when molecular test is negative or for surveillance.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from physician's office to a laboratoryUsed when specimen transport services are separately billable in the workflow for off-site testing.
    G0001Data not appropriate — see input rulesData not available in the input.
    U0003Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (e.g., SARS-CoV-2)Example of molecular nucleic acid detection CPTs; mirrors workflow concepts though not specific to Group A strep.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    207LP2900X
    207N00000X
    133VN1006X
    207QB0505X
    282NC2000X
    342000000X

    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
    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 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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