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The CPT® Code 87338 refers to a laboratory test designed to detect the presence of antigens associated with Helicobacter pylori in a stool sample. This test employs various immunoassay techniques, including enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), and immunochemiluminometric assay (IMCA). Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative rod bacterium that colonizes the lining of the stomach and/or duodenum, and it is known to be a significant factor in the development of several gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and potentially low-grade gastric lymphoma. The transmission of H. pylori occurs primarily through person-to-person contact or through ingestion of contaminated food and water. Patients infected with this bacterium may experience a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. To perform the test, a fecal sample or another type of specimen is collected and either placed in a fixative or sent fresh to the laboratory for analysis. The immunoassay techniques utilized in this test are capable of detecting very small amounts of the H. pylori antigen by binding it to specific antibodies. The presence of the antigen is then indicated through a chromogenic reaction, which produces a visible color change or fluorescence, allowing for qualitative or semi-quantitative assessment of the antigen levels in the sample.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 87338 is indicated for the detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in stool samples. This test is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
The procedure for CPT® Code 87338 involves several key steps to ensure accurate detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in stool samples. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 87338, the patient may not require any specific post-procedure care, as the test is non-invasive and involves only the collection of a stool sample. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to discuss the results with the patient once they are available. If the test indicates the presence of H. pylori, appropriate treatment options should be considered and discussed with the patient. Additionally, if the test is being used to monitor treatment efficacy, follow-up testing may be scheduled to ensure successful eradication of the infection. Patients should be advised to report any ongoing or new gastrointestinal symptoms to their healthcare provider for further evaluation.
| Short Descr | HPYLORI STOOL AG IA | Medium Descr | IAAD IA HPYLORI STOOL | Long Descr | Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique (eg, enzyme immunoassay [EIA], enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], fluorescence immunoassay [FIA], immunochemiluminometric assay [IMCA]), qualitative or semiquantitative; Helicobacter pylori, stool | 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) | Yes | 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 | 1 | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | QW | Clia waived test | 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. | 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. | 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 | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2022-01-01 | Changed | First appearance of change in codebook. |
| 2022-01-01 | Note | Grammatical correction. |
| 2021-01-01 | Changed | First appearance of change in CPT® Code Set. |
| 2020-10-06 | Changed | Code changed. |
| 2016-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2000-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2000. |
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