New Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes have been created that streamline the novel coronavirus testing currently available on the United States market.
New codes for immunizations
CPT codes have been created for reporting of immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19). These CPT codes are unique for each coronavirus vaccine as well as administration codes unique to each such vaccine. The new CPT codes clinically distinguish each coronavirus vaccine for better tracking, reporting and analysis that supports data-driven planning and allocation.
More information can be found at the COVID-19 CPT vaccine and immunization codes page.
Along with releasing the standard code descriptor PDF, we are also releasing an easy to use Excel file of just the SARS-CoV-2-related CPT codes. The file contains the SARS-CoV-2-related CPT codes released since the 2021 data file release on Aug. 31, 2020 and includes:
- CPT code descriptors (long, medium, and short)
- Published date
- Effective date
- Type of change.
Visit the COVID-19 CPT vaccine and immunization codes page for more information and to download the files.
As new SARS-CoV-2-related CPT codes are published by the CPT Editorial Panel, the American Medical Association (AMA) will update the file.
Category I and Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA)
Review and download the full CPT code descriptor release.
The descriptors documents on this page do not include the COVID-19 vaccine CPT codes. Further updates to these documents will only occur when there are additional modifications to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) codes other than vaccines.
Feb. 21, 2022: Addition of code 87913 to report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) mutation identification in targeted region(s).
- Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Long descriptors (PDF, updated Feb. 21, 2022)
- Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Medium descriptors (PDF, updated Feb. 21, 2022)
- Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Short descriptors (PDF, updated Feb. 21, 2022)
All vaccine codes can be found at the CPT vaccine and immunization codes page.
CPT® Assistant provides guidance for new codes
CPT Assistant is providing fact sheets for coding guidance for new SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)-related testing codes.
The fact sheets include codes, descriptors and purpose, clinical examples, description of the procedures, and FAQs.
- Download the Nov. 10, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on code 87428 )
- Download the Oct. 6, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on codes 87636 , 87637 , 87811 , 0240U , 0241U )
- Download the Sept. 8, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on codes 99070 , 99072 )
- Download the Aug. 10, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF)
- Download the June 25, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on code 87301 )
- Download the May 20, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF)
- Download the April 10, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on codes 86602 , 86635 )
- Download the March 13, 2020 CPT Assistant guide (PDF, includes information on codes 87631 , 87632 , 87633 , 0098U , 0099U , 0100U )
Coding advice and testing guides
- Quick reference flow chart for CPT reporting for COVID-19 testing (PDF)
- Coding scenarios and how to apply best coding practices (PDF)
Related resources
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