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The CPT® Code 87046 refers to a laboratory procedure known as a bacterial culture of stool samples, specifically focusing on the isolation and presumptive identification of additional pathogens beyond the primary organisms. In this context, a stool sample is collected from a patient and placed in a specialized growth medium that supports the proliferation of various bacteria. The primary aim of this procedure is to detect the presence of pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella and Shigella, which are commonly associated with gastrointestinal infections. However, this code is utilized when there is a need to examine additional bacterial pathogens that may be present in the stool sample. The process involves incubating the sample under aerobic conditions, allowing for the growth of bacteria, which are then isolated and identified using various laboratory techniques. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing infections and determining appropriate treatment options based on the specific pathogens identified in the stool culture.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 87046 is indicated for the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms that may suggest the presence of bacterial infections. The following conditions warrant the performance of this stool culture:
The procedure for CPT® Code 87046 involves several key steps to ensure accurate isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens from a stool sample. The following procedural steps are outlined:
Following the completion of the stool culture procedure, the laboratory will analyze the results and provide a report detailing the identified bacterial pathogens. Clinicians will review these results to determine the appropriate course of treatment for the patient. It is important to note that the turnaround time for culture results may vary, and clinicians should consider follow-up care based on the patient's clinical condition. Additionally, if specific pathogens are identified, further testing may be warranted to assess antibiotic susceptibility and guide treatment decisions.
| Short Descr | STOOL CULTR AEROBIC BACT EA | Medium Descr | CUL BACT STOOL AEROBIC ADDL PATHOGENS&ID EA | Long Descr | Culture, bacterial; stool, aerobic, additional pathogens, isolation and presumptive identification of isolates, each plate | Status Code | Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies) | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | CLIA Waived (QW) | No | APC Status Indicator | Conditionally packaged laboratory tests | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1F - Lab tests - bacterial cultures | MUE | 6 | CCS Clinical Classification | 206 - Microscopic examination (bacterial smear, culture, toxicology) |
| 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2005-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2001. |
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