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Official Description

Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical (ie, visual) observation; respiratory syncytial virus

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant viral pathogen responsible for acute respiratory infections, particularly in infants and young children. It is known for its highly contagious nature and can lead to severe respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may necessitate hospitalization, especially in children under one year of age. The CPT® Code 87807 pertains to the detection of RSV through an immunoassay method that employs direct optical observation. This procedure involves a rapid, qualitative dipstick immunoassay designed to identify the presence of RSV antigens in respiratory specimens. The testing process begins with the collection of a nasopharyngeal swab or aspirate, which is then introduced into a tube containing a specific reagent that facilitates the extraction of RSV antigens. Following this, a dipstick is immersed in the tube, allowing any RSV antigens present to interact with the reagents on the test strip. A positive result is indicated by a color change in the test line on the dipstick, alongside a control line that confirms the test's validity. This method provides a quick and effective means of diagnosing RSV infections, enabling timely clinical decision-making and management of affected patients.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 87807 is indicated for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in patients presenting with symptoms of respiratory infection. The following conditions may warrant the use of this test:

  • Acute Respiratory Infection Patients exhibiting signs of acute respiratory infections, particularly in pediatric populations, may require testing for RSV to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Bronchiolitis Infants and young children diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a common condition caused by RSV, may benefit from this rapid testing to guide treatment decisions.
  • Pneumonia In cases where pneumonia is suspected, especially in young children, the detection of RSV can help determine the appropriate management and care.
  • Hospitalization Risk Children under the age of one who are at higher risk for severe RSV infection and potential hospitalization may be tested to facilitate timely intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 87807 involves several key steps to ensure accurate detection of RSV antigens. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Specimen Collection A nasopharyngeal swab or aspirate is collected from the patient. This specimen is critical as it contains the respiratory secretions where RSV antigens may be present.
  • Reagent Preparation The collected specimen is then placed into a tube that contains a reagent specifically designed to extract RSV antigens from the sample. This reagent plays a vital role in the immunoassay process.
  • Dipstick Insertion After the specimen is mixed with the reagent, a dipstick is inserted into the tube. The dipstick is coated with specific reagents that will react with the RSV antigens if they are present in the sample.
  • Observation of Results The dipstick is then observed for color changes. If RSV antigens are detected, the test line on the dipstick will change color, indicating a positive result. A control line will also appear to confirm that the test has been performed correctly.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the RSV antigen detection test, the results should be interpreted promptly. A positive result indicates the presence of RSV, which may necessitate further clinical evaluation and management of the patient. In cases of a negative result, clinical correlation with the patient's symptoms and history is essential, as false negatives can occur. It is also important to document the test results in the patient's medical record and communicate findings to the healthcare team to ensure appropriate follow-up care. Additionally, any necessary precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of RSV, particularly in pediatric settings where vulnerable populations are present.

Short Descr RSV ASSAY W/OPTIC
Medium Descr IAADIADOO RESPIRATORY SYNCTIAL VIRUS
Long Descr Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical (ie, visual) observation; respiratory syncytial virus
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 2
CCS Clinical Classification 206 - Microscopic examination (bacterial smear, culture, toxicology)
QW Clia waived test
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
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
CS Cost-sharing waived for specified covid-19 testing-related services that result in and order for or administration of a covid-19 test and/or used for cost-sharing waived preventive services furnished via telehealth in rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers during the covid-19 public health emergency
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
UD Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state
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
2022-01-01 Changed First appearance of change in codebook.
2021-01-01 Changed First appearance of change in CPT® Code Set.
2020-10-06 Changed Code description changed.
2005-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2005.
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