Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 87206 refers to a laboratory procedure known as a smear, which is performed on a primary source with interpretation. This test utilizes fluorescent and/or acid fast staining techniques to identify various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, or specific cell types present in body fluids or tissues. The procedure is particularly useful for analyzing samples such as gastric aspirate, urine, vitreous fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), respiratory secretions, and other body tissues. The acid fast stain technique, which employs auramine O, is specifically designed to color the cells found in sputum or respiratory secretions, aiding in the identification of organisms like mycoplasma and actinomycetes. Additionally, KOH stain and Calcofluor White stain are utilized to detect free-living amoebae in samples from CSF, corneal scrapings, vitreous fluid, and tissue. During the procedure, a drop of the suspended culture or cell material is carefully applied in a thin layer onto a microscope slide using an inoculation hook, followed by heat fixation. The slide is then stained, and a thorough examination is conducted under a microscope to identify and count the microorganisms or cell types present. The findings are documented in a written report, providing essential information for diagnosis and treatment planning.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 87206 is indicated for the identification of various microorganisms and cell types in clinical specimens. The following conditions or situations may warrant the performance of this test:
The procedure for CPT® Code 87206 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate identification of microorganisms and cell types. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for CPT® Code 87206 typically involves the proper disposal of biological materials and cleaning of the workspace to maintain laboratory safety standards. The results of the smear test are usually communicated to the requesting physician or healthcare provider, who will interpret the findings in the context of the patient's clinical picture. Follow-up actions may include further testing or treatment based on the identified microorganisms or cell types. It is important for healthcare providers to discuss the results with patients and outline any necessary next steps in their care plan.
| Short Descr | SMEAR FLUORESCENT/ACID STAI | Medium Descr | SMR PRIM SRC FLUORESCENT&/AFS BCT FNGI PARASIT | Long Descr | Smear, primary source with interpretation; fluorescent and/or acid fast stain for bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses or cell types | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | 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. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.