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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOtherHCPCS hcpcs-u0005-sars-cov-2-high-throughput-nucleic-acid-test-2day
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    HCPCS Level II U0005: SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Test, High‑Throughput 2‑Day

    HCPCS Level II code U0005 describes laboratory testing for SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID‑19) using nucleic acid detection (DNA or RNA) with an amplified probe technique performed on high‑throughput platforms and completed within 2 calendar days of specimen collection; the service represents a molecular diagnostic test typically performed in high‑complexity clinical laboratories or reference lab facilities and is listed separately in addition to other public health testing codes when applicable.

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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
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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A symptomatic adult presents to a high-throughput reference laboratory after nasopharyngeal swab collection at a community drive-through testing site. The patient reports 2 days of fever, cough, and myalgias with recent close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case. The clinical workflow begins with specimen collection at the site of service (drive-through, urgent care, or hospital outpatient collection), transport to a central laboratory that uses automated, high-throughput nucleic acid amplification platforms, and prioritized processing to deliver results within two calendar days of specimen collection. The laboratory documents specimen receipt, processes the sample using an amplified probe technique for SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA detection, interprets results, and issues a report to the ordering clinician and public health authorities per local requirements. Billing for the high-throughput, rapid completed test is captured with U0005, reported in addition to U0003 or U0004 when applicable, and may include appropriate modifiers to indicate professional component, technical component, or specific circumstances affecting performance or reimbursement.

    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 techniqueCommonly reported for individual SARS‑CoV‑2 NAATs performed on non-high-throughput platforms; may be billed in workflows where high-throughput add-on U0005 complements or is an alternative.
    87426Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay, multiple-step methodMay be performed in parallel as a rapid antigen test at point of care prior to confirmatory NAAT in specific clinical workflows.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the physician's office to a laboratoryUsed when specimen collection site charges for packaging and shipping to a central laboratory performing U0005.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureIncluded when blood is collected for ancillary testing or serology in the same encounter, though U0005 is for respiratory nucleic acid detection.
    99070Supplies and materials (eg, bandages, gauze, etc.) provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visitUsed when additional supplies for specimen collection or expedited shipping are billed by the collecting facility.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    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…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    2084S0010XSports Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) PhysicianA psychiatrist or neurologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports related conditions and injuries.
    261QA0600XAdult Day Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    1710I1002XIndependent Duty CorpsmanA Navy Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) is an active duty Sailor who has successfully completed one of the Navy's specific IDC training programs. IDCs…

    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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