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The CPT® Code 87591 refers to the detection of the infectious agent Neisseria gonorrhoeae through nucleic acid testing, specifically utilizing an amplified probe technique. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, a prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be transmitted through direct sexual contact. This infection can affect various anatomical sites, including the reproductive tract, mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. In many cases, particularly among women, N. gonorrhoeae infections may be asymptomatic, which poses a significant risk as the lack of symptoms can lead to severe complications, including irreversible damage to the reproductive system and potential infertility. Conversely, men typically exhibit symptoms such as burning sensations, itching, and urethral discharge, although they are less likely to experience long-term reproductive damage. The testing process for N. gonorrhoeae often involves the collection of specimens using a swab from affected areas such as the cervix, male urethra, mouth, throat, or eyes. The nucleic acid tests can vary in methodology, with some rapid tests available for use in a physician's office. The amplification technique employed in CPT® Code 87591, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), is particularly useful when the suspected levels of the microorganism in the specimen are low, which may not be detectable through direct probe methods. This amplification allows for the creation of multiple copies of the nucleic acids from N. gonorrhoeae, enhancing the likelihood of detection. The subsequent identification of these nucleic acids can be performed using various detection techniques, providing critical information for diagnosis and treatment management.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 87591 is indicated for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in patients who may be at risk for gonorrhea infection. The following conditions warrant the use of this testing:
The procedure for CPT® Code 87591 involves several key steps to ensure accurate detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 87591, the following post-procedure considerations should be noted:
Patients may be advised to await the results of the test, which can vary in turnaround time depending on the laboratory processing the specimen. If the test result is positive, appropriate treatment options will be discussed with the patient, which may include antibiotics to effectively manage the infection. It is also important for patients to inform any sexual partners of the diagnosis to prevent further transmission of the infection. Follow-up testing may be recommended to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and to confirm that the infection has been cleared. Additionally, patients should be counseled on safe sexual practices to reduce the risk of future infections.
| Short Descr | N.GONORRHOEAE DNA AMP PROB | Medium Descr | IADNA NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ | Long Descr | Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amplified probe technique | 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 | 3 | CCS Clinical Classification | 206 - Microscopic examination (bacterial smear, culture, toxicology) |
| 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. | 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | 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. | 33 | Preventive services: when the primary purpose of the service is the delivery of an evidence based service in accordance with a us preventive services task force a or b rating in effect and other preventive services identified in preventive services mandates (legislative or regulatory), the service may be identified by adding 33 to the procedure. for separately reported services specifically identified as preventive, the modifier should not be used. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | FP | Service provided as part of family planning program | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 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 | 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 | 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 | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 1998-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1998. |
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