Nucleic Acid Testing
Description
Same group practice is defined as a physician and/or other qualified health care professional of the same specialty with the same Federal Tax ID number.
Policy
Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) will reimburse same day nucleic acid testing according to the criteria outlined in this policy.
Reimbursement Guidelines
Two or more nucleic acid tests billed by the same group practice on the same date of service for the same member will be subject to a multiple procedure payment reduction. This will be applied to both multiple units billed for the same service and multiple individual services.
Reimbursement will be based on the following:
- 100% for the first unit/initial lab
- 50% for additional units and/or labs
Note: Reimbursement is not allowed for multiple testing methodologies for the same microorganism (i.e., direct, amplification, and quantitative testing).
Billing and Coding
Applicable codes are for reference only and may not be all inclusive. For further information on reimbursement guidelines, please see the Blue Cross NC web site at www.bcbsnc.com.
| Coding | Description |
| 87471-87801 | Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); direct probe, amplified probe or quantification |
Related policy
Bundling Guidelines
NCCI Editing
Identification of Microorganisms using Nucleic Acid Probes (Medical Policy)
References
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and ASA Relative Value Guide
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
American Medical Association, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
History
| Date | Revision |
| 4/3/2026 | New policy developed. RPOC approved. Notification on 2/01/2026 for effective date 4/03/2026. (ss) |
Application
These reimbursement requirements apply to all commercial, Administrative Services Only (ASO), and Blue Card Inter-Plan Program Host members (other Plans members who seek care from the NC service area). This policy does not apply to Blue Cross NC members who seek care in other states.
This policy relates only to the services or supplies described herein. Please refer to the Member's Benefit Booklet for availability of benefits. Member's benefits may vary according to benefit design; therefore member benefit language should be reviewed before applying the terms of this policy.