Summary & Overview
CPT 87660: Trichomonas vaginalis Direct Nucleic Acid Probe Test
CPT code 87660 represents a laboratory molecular diagnostic test for Trichomonas vaginalis using a direct nucleic acid probe. This code identifies a specific laboratory service that supports accurate detection of trichomoniasis, an important sexually transmitted infection with implications for individual patient care and public health surveillance. Nationally, standardized coding for molecular tests like CPT code 87660 enables billing clarity, epidemiologic tracking, and consistent laboratory reporting.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for this molecular diagnostic, typical sites where the service is performed, and the types of reimbursement and policy considerations that commonly affect laboratory molecular testing. The publication also outlines benchmarking and coverage patterns where available, notes common billing modifiers applicable to laboratory services, and summarizes clinical relevance for providers and laboratory administrators.
This summary is presented for a national audience to support billing staff, laboratory managers, and policy analysts in understanding the role and coding of CPT code 87660, and what to expect when billing or reviewing claims for nucleic acid probe testing for Trichomonas vaginalis.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 87660 describes a laboratory test for Trichomonas vaginalis using a direct nucleic acid probe technique. The procedure involves a laboratory analyst performing molecular detection of Trichomonas organisms from a patient specimen.
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Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test (molecular nucleic acid probe assay)
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory performing molecular diagnostic testing
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A sexually active adult female presents to an outpatient gynecology clinic with complaints of new-onset frothy, malodorous vaginal discharge and vulvovaginal itching. The clinician obtains a focused history including sexual partners, recent antibiotic use, and pregnancy status, and performs a pelvic exam. A vaginal swab is collected for laboratory testing. The laboratory analyst performs a direct nucleic acid probe test for Trichomonas vaginalis to detect organism-specific nucleic acid sequences. Typical workflow: specimen collection (vaginal or endocervical swab) → specimen labeling and transport to the microbiology/molecular lab → accessioning → direct nucleic acid probe assay (CPT 87660) performed by a trained laboratory analyst → result verification by laboratory personnel and reporting to the ordering clinician. Typical site of service: outpatient clinic or independent laboratory with microbiology/molecular diagnostic services; testing may also be performed in hospital outpatient departments. Typical patient scenario includes symptomatic evaluation for vaginitis, screening in high‑risk individuals, or test-of-cure following treatment.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation component and the laboratory bills the technical component separately. |