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CPT 87661: Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Test

Headline: CPT code 87661: Molecular Test for Trichomonas vaginalis Highlights: CPT code 87661 identifies a nucleic acid amplified probe test for Trichomonas vaginalis, a common sexually transmitted infection. This molecular diagnostic code matters nationally as it supports accurate, sensitive detection of infection, informing treatment decisions and public health surveillance. Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find: an overview of clinical context and typical sites of service for the test; payer coverage considerations and commonly encountered modifiers; benchmarking context where available; and operational notes relevant to laboratory billing and coding workflows. The publication summarizes utilization and reimbursement themes for laboratories and clinician offices that send specimens to clinical laboratories. Data not available in the input for detailed utilization metrics, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairing is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 87661 describes a laboratory test for Trichomonas vaginalis using a nucleic acid amplified probe technique. The procedure is a molecular diagnostic assay performed by a laboratory analyst to detect the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis nucleic acid.

Service Type: Molecular diagnostic testing

Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

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CPT 87661: Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Test

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Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Molecular diagnostic testing

Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A sexually active adult female presents to an outpatient clinic with vaginal discharge, itching, and dysuria. The clinician performs a pelvic exam, documents signs consistent with vaginitis, and collects a vaginal swab for laboratory testing. The specimen is sent to the laboratory for nucleic acid amplified probe testing specific for Trichomonas vaginalis. The lab analyst performs 87661 using an NAAT/NAAT-probe technique. Results are returned to the ordering clinician and used to guide targeted antimicrobial therapy and partner notification as indicated. Typical sites of service include ambulatory clinics, sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital outpatient laboratories. The service type is a laboratory infectious disease/STD diagnostic test performed by clinical laboratory personnel.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when the same test is repeated on the same day to confirm unexpected or critical results.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside reference lab for testing.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component of the test (instrumentation, technician time).
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional component (interpretation or reporting) by a qualified laboratorian.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another unrelated service is performed on the same day and must be reported separately.
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service	Use when a significant evaluation and management service is provided on the same day as specimen collection.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the test is partially reduced or not fully performed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when specimen collection or testing was started but discontinued for documented medical reasons.
`90`	Duplicate entry for emphasis may be omitted in claims; listed once above
`QW`	CLIA-waived test	Use when a CLIA-waived NAAT method is performed in a waived setting (if applicable to method).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208000000X	Obstetrics & Gynecology	Clinicians who commonly collect vaginal specimens and order STI testing.
207Q00000X	Family Medicine	Primary care physicians who evaluate and manage genitourinary complaints.
207L00000X	Internal Medicine	Adult medicine clinicians who order laboratory STI testing.
261QM0800X	Clinical Pathology	Laboratory medicine specialists overseeing test performance and reporting.
333600000X	Public Health Laboratory	Public health labs that perform STI NAAT testing and surveillance.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`A59.01`	Trichomonal vulvovaginitis	Directly indicates infection with Trichomonas vaginalis; primary indication for `87661`.
`N76.0`	Acute vaginitis	Symptom-based diagnosis prompting testing for common causes including trichomonas.
`R82.8`	Other abnormal findings in urine, other specified	May be used when urinalysis findings prompt further vaginal pathogen testing.
`R87.619`	Abnormal cytology of vagina, unspecified	Abnormal pelvic findings may prompt concurrent STI testing.
`Z11.3`	Encounter for screening for infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission	Screening encounter where `87661` may be ordered as part of STI screening.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`87210`	Smear, primary source with wet mount for trichomonas, saline	Performed at point-of-care for immediate visualization; may be done prior to sending specimen for `87661`.
`87491`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); chlamydia, amplified probe technique	Often ordered concurrently when STI testing panel for vaginitis is performed.
`87591`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gonorrhea, amplified probe technique	Commonly part of combined STI NAAT testing alongside trichomonas.
`99000`	Handling and/or conveyance of specimen to lab (example placeholder)	Administrative or courier services associated with specimen transport; institutions may use appropriate facility billing practices.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	If additional serologic testing for other infections is performed during the same visit.

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

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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Use when the same test is repeated on the same day to confirm unexpected or critical results.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside reference lab for testing.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component of the test (instrumentation, technician time).
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional component (interpretation or reporting) by a qualified laboratorian.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another unrelated service is performed on the same day and must be reported separately.
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service	Use when a significant evaluation and management service is provided on the same day as specimen collection.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the test is partially reduced or not fully performed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when specimen collection or testing was started but discontinued for documented medical reasons.
`90`	Duplicate entry for emphasis may be omitted in claims; listed once above
`QW`	CLIA-waived test	Use when a CLIA-waived NAAT method is performed in a waived setting (if applicable to method).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208000000X	Obstetrics & Gynecology	Clinicians who commonly collect vaginal specimens and order STI testing.
207Q00000X	Family Medicine	Primary care physicians who evaluate and manage genitourinary complaints.
207L00000X	Internal Medicine	Adult medicine clinicians who order laboratory STI testing.
261QM0800X	Clinical Pathology	Laboratory medicine specialists overseeing test performance and reporting.
333600000X	Public Health Laboratory	Public health labs that perform STI NAAT testing and surveillance.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`A59.01`	Trichomonal vulvovaginitis	Directly indicates infection with Trichomonas vaginalis; primary indication for `87661`.
`N76.0`	Acute vaginitis	Symptom-based diagnosis prompting testing for common causes including trichomonas.
`R82.8`	Other abnormal findings in urine, other specified	May be used when urinalysis findings prompt further vaginal pathogen testing.
`R87.619`	Abnormal cytology of vagina, unspecified	Abnormal pelvic findings may prompt concurrent STI testing.
`Z11.3`	Encounter for screening for infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission	Screening encounter where `87661` may be ordered as part of STI screening.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`87210`	Smear, primary source with wet mount for trichomonas, saline	Performed at point-of-care for immediate visualization; may be done prior to sending specimen for `87661`.
`87491`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); chlamydia, amplified probe technique	Often ordered concurrently when STI testing panel for vaginitis is performed.
`87591`	Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); gonorrhea, amplified probe technique	Commonly part of combined STI NAAT testing alongside trichomonas.
`99000`	Handling and/or conveyance of specimen to lab (example placeholder)	Administrative or courier services associated with specimen transport; institutions may use appropriate facility billing practices.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	If additional serologic testing for other infections is performed during the same visit.

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

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.

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CPT 87661: Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Test

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 87661: Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Test

Sign up for cpt 87661 policy alerts

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