2025 CPT code 87147
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Microbiology Culture and Typing Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Immunologic typing of a previously isolated and identified microorganism, per antiserum; excluding immunofluorescence.
Modifiers 59 (distinct procedural service) and 91 (repeat test) are potentially applicable.Refer to the most recent CPT manual for correct modifier application.
The medical necessity for 87147 is established when further typing of the isolated microorganism is needed for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The choice of specific antisera used should be based on clinical suspicion and the types of organisms identified.
Clinical laboratory personnel are responsible for performing the immunoassay, interpreting the results, and reporting them to the ordering physician.
- Pathology and Laboratory
- Pathology and Laboratory Procedures > Microbiology Procedures > Microbiology Culture and Typing Procedures
In simple words: The lab tests a sample of bacteria or other germs that have already been identified to figure out the exact type of germ.This helps doctors know which medicine will work best.
This CPT code, 87147, reports the performance of an immunoassay (excluding immunofluorescence methods) to further type a previously isolated and identified microorganism.The procedure involves incubating the isolated organism with antibodies (in an antiserum) specific to a particular organism type. A detectable reaction indicates the presence of the target organism type. Each antiserum tested is reported separately using this code. This procedure follows prior steps of culturing, isolating, and identifying the organism to the genus and species level (which should be billed separately).
Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms of a streptococcal infection. A throat culture is obtained and the organism is isolated and identified as Streptococcus. Code 87147 is used to determine the specific Streptococcus type (e.g., Group A, Group B)., A patient with suspected bacterial meningitis undergoes lumbar puncture.Bacterial growth is observed in culture, and the organism is identified as Neisseria meningitidis.Code 87147 is used to further classify this isolate into serogroups (e.g., B, C, Y, W135)., A wound culture reveals the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. To guide antibiotic therapy, the strain is tested with code 87147 to determine if it is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
* Complete patient demographics and relevant clinical history.* Identification and source of the specimen (e.g., blood, urine, wound).* Date and time of specimen collection.* Details of prior procedures performed to isolate and identify the organism to the genus and species level.* Results of the immunoassay, including the specific antiserum(s) used and the results obtained.
** This code should be used only when an immunoassay (excluding immunofluorescence) is performed to type an organism that has already been isolated and identified.Always code the initial culture and identification procedures separately.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided sources.Consult current fee schedules for RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory test and does not have a global surgical period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This code represents a complete procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided sources.Consult historical fee schedules for specific years.
- Specialties:* Microbiology* Infectious Disease* Pathology
- Place of Service:Laboratory