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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Pathology and Laboratory ProceduresCPT cpt-89055-stool-leukocyte-analysis
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    CPT 89055: Stool Leukocyte Test, Technical Component

    CPT code 89055 describes the technical laboratory test performed by a lab analyst to detect leukocytes in a stool specimen, producing a positive/negative or semiquantitative result (e.g., trace, one plus, moderate); service type: clinical laboratory test; typical site of service: outpatient or inpatient clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory performing stool microscopy or rapid stool testing.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting to an outpatient clinic or emergency department with acute onset of diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, or suspected infectious gastroenteritis. The clinician collects a stool specimen to evaluate for the presence of fecal leukocytes as part of an initial stool workup to help distinguish inflammatory (bacterial or invasive) diarrhea from noninflammatory causes (viral, toxin-mediated). The specimen is delivered to the clinical laboratory where a laboratory analyst performs the technical test to detect leukocytes in the stool and reports results as negative, positive, or semiquantitative (e.g., 1+ to 3+). Results inform further diagnostic steps such as stool culture, ova and parasite testing, molecular pathogen panels, or initiation of targeted therapy. Typical site of service is the hospital laboratory, outpatient clinic laboratory, or independent clinical laboratory associated with a medical office or emergency department.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81002Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent; non-automated, without microscopyOften performed in the same outpatient visit as basic infectious workup but not directly related to stool leukocyte testing.
    82270Stools for occult blood; qualitative immunoassay, by enzyme immunoassay (EIA)Commonly ordered alongside fecal leukocytes to assess for gastrointestinal bleeding when evaluating diarrhea.
    87045Culture, bacterial; stool, routine, with isolation and presumptive identification of coloniesOrdered when fecal leukocytes are present to identify bacterial enteric pathogens.
    87205Smear, primary source with interpretation; Gram or other stain, each sourceMay be used for microscopic examination of stool smears when leukocytes are suspected and direct microscopic evaluation is required.
    87471Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Clostridium difficile, toxin B, amplified probe techniqueMolecular testing often follows a positive fecal leukocyte test to identify specific pathogens such as C. difficile.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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…
    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
    207P00000X
    207Q00000X
    208000000X
    207R00000X
    207L00000X
    111NN0400X
    364SP0812X
    126800000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A02.1Salmonella sepsis
    A03.9Shigellosis, unspecified
    A07.1Giardiasis [lambliasis]
    A08.4Viral intestinal infection, unspecified
    A09Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
    B59Pneumocystosis
    B97.89Other viral agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    E86.0Dehydration
    K50.90Crohn's disease, unspecified, without complications
    K51.90Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Oral Cancer Screening and TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyOscar Health2027-01-01
    Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-89049-CAFFEINE-HALOTHANE-CONTRACTURE-TEST-MH-SUSCEPTIBILITY

    CPT 89049: Caffeine-Halothane Contracture Test for Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility

    CPT-89050-CSF-JOINT-FLUID-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 89050: Cell Count of Miscellaneous Body Fluids (CSF, Joint Fluid)

    CPT-89051-BODY-FLUID-CELL-COUNT-DIFFERENTIAL-NON-BLOOD

    CPT 89051: Body Fluid Cell Count with Differential

    CPT-89060-MICROSCOPIC-CRYSTAL-ANALYSIS-TISSUE-BODY-FLUID

    CPT 89060: Crystal Analysis by Light Microscopy

    CPT-89125-FAT-STAIN-STOOL-URINE-RESPIRATORY-SPECIMEN

    CPT 89125: Fat Stain of Feces, Urine, or Respiratory Secretions

    CPT-89160-FECAL-MUSCLE-FIBER-MICROSCOPY

    CPT 89160: Fecal Microscopic Examination for Muscle Fibers

    CPT-89190-NASAL-SMEAR-EOSINOPHIL-ANALYSIS

    CPT 89190: Nasal Smear Examination for Eosinophils

    CPT-89220-ASSISTED-SPUTUM-INDUCTION-AEROSOL-MIST

    CPT 89220: Induced Sputum Collection by Aerosol Mist

    CPT-89230-SWEAT-COLLECTION-BY-IONTOPHORESIS

    CPT 89230: Sweat Collection by Iontophoresis

    CPT-89240-UNLISTED-PATHOLOGY-PROCEDURE

    CPT 89240: Unlisted Pathology 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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