Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Should we use CPT 87880 for a rapid strep test performed in the office, for collecting the specimen to be sent to a lab for a culture, or for both?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: Code 87880 (Infectious agent detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; Streptococcus, group A) is for performing a rapid strep test. This code is not for performing a culture but for the rapid, in-office test, usually done to see if a child should be started on antibiotics while you wait for the culture results. You could charge 99000 (Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the physicians office to a laboratory) for sending it to a lab for culture.

Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were contributed by Teri Salus, health policy specialist, American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) division of health care finance and practice; Joan Gilhooly, CPC, CHCC, president of Medical Business Resources, a coding, compliance, and reimbursement consultantancy based in Deer Park, Ill.; and Richard Tuck, MD, FAAP, founding chairperson of the AAP coding and reimbursement committee and a practicing pediatrician with PrimeCare Pediatrics in Zanesville, Ohio.