The AMA identified codes 87624 and 87625 as lacking the necessary level of specificity to differentiate between qualitative testing of HPV as pooled results of high-risk types and genotyping for high-risk types in a single analysis. The 2025 CPT® update introduces new CPT code 87626, replacing Category III code 0500T, to address this detail.
New: 87626 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Human Papillomavirus (HPV), separately reported high-risk types (eg, 16, 18, 31, 45, 51, 52) and high-risk pooled result(s)
Revised: 87624 Human Papillomavirus (HPV), high-risk types (eg, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68), pooled result
No Change: 87625 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Human Papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18 only, includes type 45, if performed
Reporting Notes:
• Code 87624 is used when testing for high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68) as a single, pooled result. Code 87624 is also the default code used when both low- and high-risk types are tested within a single assay.
• Code 87625 is used when testing for singular HPV types 16 and 18 only, and includes type 45, if performed.
• Code 87626 when testing for singular test results for high-risk types 16, 18, 31, 45, 51 and 52 with a high-risk pooled result(s).
CPT Code | High-Risk HPV Results | What it detects |
87624
| Pooled only | Detects a group of high-risk HPV types but does not identify specific genotypes. |
87625 | Types 16 & 18 only | Detects only HPV 16 and 18, including type 45 if performed. |
87626 - NEW | Separate and pooled results | Identifies specific high-risk HPV types (e.g., 16, 18, 31, 45, 51, 52) while also providing a pooled result. |
The team at APS will continue to monitor and communicate updates as they apply to pathology billing.
CPT copyright 2024 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
