2025 CPT code 87088
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory Test - Microbiology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Urine culture with isolation and presumptive identification of each isolate.
Modifiers 59 and 91 are applicable as described above.Other modifiers may apply depending on the specific circumstances of service.
Medical necessity for a urine culture with presumptive identification (87088) is established when the physician has clinical suspicion of a urinary tract infection (UTI) based on patient symptoms (dysuria, frequency, urgency, etc.) and/or abnormal urinalysis findings. Other scenarios include asymptomatic bacteriuria screening in pregnant women or patients undergoing urological procedures. The absence of such clinical indications would render the test not medically necessary.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory personnel (medical technologist or microbiologist) who perform the urine culture and interpret the results. The ordering physician is responsible for the medical necessity of the test and interpretation in the context of the patient's clinical presentation.
In simple words: This lab test checks a urine sample for bacteria. It identifies the type of bacteria present using basic tests, but may not be totally precise in identifying it.
This CPT code reports a bacterial urine culture that includes the isolation and presumptive identification of each bacterial isolate. Presumptive identification relies on colony morphology, growth on selective media, Gram stains, and up to three additional tests (e.g., catalase, oxidase, indole, urease). Definitive identification, requiring more extensive testing, is coded separately (e.g., 87077).The procedure is performed on urine cultures showing bacterial growth and is not the primary code for quantitative urine cultures (e.g., 87086).
Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urine culture is ordered, and code 87088 is used to report the isolation and presumptive identification of *E. coli*., A patient has a positive dipstick urinalysis suggestive of a UTI. A urine culture is performed and reports growth, with code 87088 used to report the presumptive identification of *Staphylococcus saprophyticus*., A pregnant woman undergoes routine screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria.The urine culture shows growth, and code 87088 is reported following presumptive identification of *Enterococcus faecalis*.
* Properly collected urine specimen (midstream clean-catch or catheterized specimen).* Gram stain results.* Colony morphology descriptions (size, shape, color).* Results of up to three additional tests used for presumptive identification (e.g., catalase, oxidase, indole).* Laboratory report documenting the isolation and identification of each isolate.* Physician order for the urine culture.
** This code is used when presumptive identification of the microorganism is sufficient for clinical management. If definitive identification is required, additional codes (e.g., 87077) should be used.Always ensure accurate and complete documentation supports the medical necessity of the test.
- Revenue Code: T1F (LAB TESTS - BACTERIAL CULTURES)
- RVU: This information is not included in the provided source.RVUs vary by payer and location and are subject to change.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This code does not have a technical component; therefore, a TC modifier is not applicable.
- Fee Schedule : Fee schedules vary widely based on payer, location, and year.Historical fee data is not readily available from the source. For more specific information, please refer to fee schedules from specific payers or consult a medical billing resource.
- Specialties:Urology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Infectious Disease, Pathology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Laboratory, Urgent Care Facility, Other Place of Service (as clinically appropriate)