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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOtherHCPCS hcpcs-u0003-sars-cov-2-high-throughput-nucleic-acid-test
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    HCPCS Level II U0003: SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Test, High-Throughput

    HCPCS Level II code U0003 describes nucleic acid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using an amplified probe technique adapted for high-throughput laboratory platforms; service type is molecular diagnostic testing (RT-PCR/amplified probe) and typical site of service is high-throughput clinical or public health laboratories/centralized reference labs where automated, large-volume SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing is performed.

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    Table of contents

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    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A symptomatic adult presents to an outpatient drive-through testing site with fever, cough, and anosmia. A nasopharyngeal or anterior nasal swab is collected by a trained healthcare professional and sent to a high-throughput molecular laboratory for SARS‑CoV‑2 nucleic acid amplification testing using automated amplified probe techniques. The specimen undergoes accessioning, RNA extraction, amplification, and detection on high-volume platforms compliant with CMS guidance (CMS‑2020‑01‑R). Results are reported to the ordering clinician and public health authorities; positive results trigger isolation guidance and contact tracing workflows. Typical sites of service include outpatient laboratories, hospital reference laboratories, public health labs, and high-throughput commercial lab facilities that perform batch molecular testing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    87635Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID‑19]), amplified probe techniqueDirectly analogous CPT code commonly used for individual SARS‑CoV‑2 NAAT reporting; may be billed alongside system-level laboratory administration codes.
    87471Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, SARS‑CoV‑2 (Coronavirus disease [COVID‑19]), single step method; per specimenMay be performed in parallel in point‑of‑care antigen testing strategies, typically preceding or following NAAT for confirmation in some workflows.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the patient to a laboratory (Carrier)Used when separate specimen transport or handling charges are billed associated with high‑volume testing logistics.
    G2023Infectious agent detection for SARS‑CoV‑2, specimen collection for current procedural terminology (CDC public health reporting)Related to specimen collection and public health reporting processes that accompany laboratory NAAT testing.
    U0001CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019‑nCoV) Real‑time RT‑PCR Diagnostic Test PanelHistorically used in early pandemic reporting and may be present in payer mappings alongside high‑throughput U‑codes; relates as an alternative test code for molecular SARS‑CoV‑2 testing.

    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    1PModifier 1P is a Category II performance measure exclusion modifier used to indicate that a patient’s medical condition prevented performance of the action specified by a Category II quality measure…- Use modifier 1P only with Category II (quality reporting) codes when the specific measure’s reporting instructions explicitly allow a medical-reason exclusion; it marks the patient as medically…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363LF0000XFamily Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    364SP0200XPediatric Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    146M00000XIntermediate Emergency Medical TechnicianAn Intermediate EMT is an individual trained and certified to perform intermediate life support treatment in medical emergencies based on individual s…
    225XP0200XPediatric Occupational TherapistOccupational therapists provide services to infants, toddlers and children who have or who are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Occup…
    320600000XIntellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Residential Treatment FacilityA residential facility that provides habilitation services and other care and treatment to adults or children diagnosed with developmental and intelle…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B34.2Coronavirus infection, unspecified
    B97.29Other coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E66.9Obesity, unspecified
    I10Essential (primary) hypertension
    J12.82Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019
    J12.89Other viral pneumonia
    J18.9Pneumonia, unspecified organism
    J20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-C1300-HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN-FULL-BODY-CHAMBER-30MIN

    HCPCS Level II C1300: Hyperbaric Oxygen, Full‑Body Chamber, per 30 min

    HCPCS-K0901-KNEE-ORTHOSIS-SINGLE-UPRIGHT-PREFABRICATED

    HCPCS Level II K0901: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Prefabricated

    HCPCS-K0902-KNEE-ORTHOSIS-DOUBLE-UPRIGHT-PREFABRICATED-OTS

    HCPCS Level II K0902: Knee Orthosis, Double Upright, Prefabricated

    HCPCS-K0903-DIABETIC-CUSTOM-MULTIPLE-DENSITY-INSERT

    HCPCS K0903: Diabetic Custom Multi-density Total Contact Insert

    HCPCS-K1001-ELECTRONIC-POSITIONAL-OSA-TREATMENT-SENSOR

    HCPCS K1001: Electronic Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

    HCPCS-K1002-CRANIAL-ELECTROTHERAPY-STIMULATION-SYSTEM

    HCPCS K1002: Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation System

    HCPCS-K1003-WHIRLPOOL-TUB-WALK-IN-PORTABLE

    HCPCS Level II K1003: Whirlpool Tub, Walk-In, Portable

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-M1144-LIMITED-CONSULTATIVE-THERAPY-1-2-VISITS

    HCPCS Level II M1144: Ongoing Care Not Indicated, 1–2 Visits

    HCPCS-M0064-PSYCHIATRIC-MEDICATION-MANAGEMENT-BRIEF-OFFICE-VISIT

    HCPCS M0064: Brief Visit for Psychiatric Medication Monitoring

    HCPCS-M1000-PAIN-SCREEN-MODERATE-SEVERE

    HCPCS M1000: Pain Screened as Moderate to Severe

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    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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