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The CPT® Code 87101 refers to a laboratory procedure specifically designed for the culture and isolation of fungi, which can include both mold and yeast. This test is particularly focused on samples obtained from skin, hair, or nails. The primary objective of this procedure is to isolate fungi and provide a presumptive identification of the isolates present in the collected samples. The test is crucial in diagnosing fungal infections, which can manifest in various forms and may require management for acute, chronic, or recurring conditions. The process of obtaining samples varies depending on the source; for hair, diseased follicles are plucked, while skin samples are collected by scraping cells from the outer edge of lesions. Nail samples are obtained by scraping friable material from beneath the nail edge or by clipping the diseased portion of the nail. In addition to these sources, blood can also be tested for fungal presence, typically collected through venipuncture or a central line draw. Other body fluids, such as bone marrow or vaginal fluid, may also be utilized for testing when appropriate. Once collected, these samples are cultured on agar plates to promote the growth of fungi, allowing for the detection of any fungal presence. Blood samples are processed using a blood culture monitoring system that employs microscopic examination, biochemical analysis, DNA probes, and chromatography techniques to isolate and identify mold or yeast colonies. While the initial identification of the fungi is presumptive, it is important to note that further laboratory tests may be necessary to achieve a definitive identification of the yeast or mold isolates found in the culture.
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The CPT® Code 87101 is indicated for use in various clinical scenarios where the presence of fungal infections is suspected. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this laboratory test:
The procedure for CPT® Code 87101 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate isolation and identification of fungi from the collected samples. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the CPT® Code 87101 test typically involves monitoring for any adverse reactions to the sample collection process, particularly in cases where blood or other body fluids are drawn. Patients may be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results of the culture and any necessary further testing or treatment options based on the findings. It is essential to ensure that any additional laboratory tests required for positive identification of the fungal isolates are completed in a timely manner to facilitate appropriate management of the identified fungal infection.
| Short Descr | SKIN FUNGI CULTURE | Medium Descr | CUL FNGI MOLD/YEAST PRSMPTV ID SKN HAIR/NAIL | Long Descr | Culture, fungi (mold or yeast) isolation, with presumptive identification of isolates; skin, hair, or nail | 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) | T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 206 - Microscopic examination (bacterial smear, culture, toxicology) |
| 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. | 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. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | 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. | X3 | Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | QW | Clia waived test | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T8 | Right foot, fourth digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
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| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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