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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesPhenotype and Genotype-Infectious AgentsCPT cpt-87904-hiv-1-drug-resistance-additional-drug-testing
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    CPT 87904: HIV‑1 Drug Resistance Test, Additional Drug

    CPT code 87904 describes a laboratory technical procedure for analyzing nucleic acids from an HIV‑1 positive tissue sample to determine antiviral drug resistance by culture analysis; this code is reported for each additional drug tested beyond the first ten and represents a clinical virology molecular test performed as a laboratory technical service, typically provided in a clinical laboratory or specialized infectious disease reference lab setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease, Immunopharmacologic Monitoring of Therapeutic Serum Antibodies, Immune Cell Function Assay.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient with known HIV-1 infection and a rising plasma viral load despite antiretroviral therapy presents to the infectious disease clinic. The ordering clinician obtains a plasma sample and sends it to a reference virology laboratory for genotypic resistance testing. The lab performs nucleic acid extraction and culture-based analysis to detect resistance-associated mutations and to determine phenotypic resistance to multiple antiretroviral drugs. The initial panel includes up to 10 drugs; when the analyst performs testing on each additional drug beyond the first 10, billing is reported using 87904. Results are returned to the treating infectious disease specialist, who integrates resistance findings with clinical history to guide regimen selection. Typical sites of service include outpatient infectious disease clinics and independent or hospital-based molecular virology laboratories that process patient specimens for HIV drug resistance testing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87900Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (e.g., HIV-1), amplified probe technique, single targetPerformed when initial single-target nucleic acid detection is required prior to resistance testing.
    87901Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid, amplified probe technique, multiple targetsUsed for panels detecting multiple viral targets that may precede or accompany resistance testing.
    87902Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid, direct probe techniqueAlternative nucleic acid method that may be used in the diagnostic workflow.
    87903Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid, for HIV-1 drug resistance testing, first 10 drugsBilled for the first 10 drugs analyzed in culture/phenotypic resistance testing; 87904 is used for each additional drug beyond these first 10.
    87153Culture, bacterial; for identification, each isolateMay be used in laboratories performing culture-based isolation as part of phenotypic resistance workflows.
    87801Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay techniqueSometimes used in initial screening tests in the overall diagnostic algorithm.

    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    363A00000X
    317400000X
    2471S1302X
    1223D0001X
    204F00000X
    207ZD0900X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A07.1Giardiasis [lambliasis]
    A07.2Cryptosporidiosis
    A54.02Gonococcal vulvovaginitis, unspecified
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    B25.9Cytomegaloviral disease, unspecified
    B37.7Candidal sepsis
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    D63.8Anemia in other chronic diseases classified elsewhere
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E66.9Obesity, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Immunology/Rheumatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Immunopharmacologic Monitoring of Therapeutic Serum AntibodiesOscar Health2026-10-01
    Immune Cell Function AssayOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarker Testing for Autoimmune Rheumatic DiseaseBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Inflammatory Conditions - Orencia Intravenous Preferred Specialty Management Policy for Legacy Prescription Drug ListsCigna2026-09-01
    Secukinumab (Cosentyx) — intravenous (Medicare Advantage)blue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-01
    Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) — indications and authorization criteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-28
    Infliximab Intravenous Products Preferred Specialty Management PolicyCigna2026-08-15
    Kineret (anakinra) — Coverage CriteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-14
    Actimmune (interferon gamma-1b) — Prior Authorization and Coverage Criteriameridian_health_plan_of_michigan2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-87900-VIRAL-DRUG-SUSCEPTIBILITY-GENOTYPIC-PHENOTYPE-PREDICTION

    CPT 87900: Viral Drug Susceptibility and Phenotype Prediction

    CPT-87901-HIV-1-GENOTYPE-REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTASE-PROTEASE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 87901: HIV‑1 Genotype — Protease and Reverse Transcriptase Sequencing

    CPT-87902-HEPATITIS-C-GENOTYPE-NUCLEIC-ACID-TESTING-TECHNICAL

    CPT 87902: Hepatitis C Virus Genotype by Nucleic Acid Analysis

    CPT-87903-HIV-1-DRUG-RESISTANCE-NUCLEIC-ACID-ANALYSIS

    CPT 87903: HIV-1 Drug Resistance Testing, Culture-Based

    CPT-87905-ENZYMATIC-ACTIVITY-TESTING-INFECTIOUS-AGENT-TECHNICAL

    CPT 87905: Enzymatic Activity Test for Non-Viral Infectious Agents

    CPT-87906-HIV-1-GENOTYPE-NUCLEIC-ACID-NON-RT-PROTEASE-REGIONS

    CPT 87906: HIV‑1 Genotype by Nucleic Acid (non-RT/protease)

    CPT-87910-CMV-GENOTYPE-NUCLEIC-ACID-ANALYSIS

    CPT 87910: CMV Genotype Analysis by Nucleic Acid Testing

    CPT-87912-HEPATITIS-B-GENOTYPE-ANALYSIS-NUCLEIC-ACID

    CPT 87912: Hepatitis B Virus Genotype Analysis

    CPT-87913-SARS-COV-2-GENOTYPE-ANALYSIS-NEXT-GENERATION-SEQUENCING

    CPT 87913: SARS–CoV–2 Genotype Analysis by Next‑Generation Sequencing

    CPT-87999-UNLISTED-MICROBIOLOGY-PROCEDURE

    CPT 87999: Unlisted Microbiology Procedure

    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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