CPT Codes for Fungal Nail Culture

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 22 views

Understanding CPT Pathology and Laboratory Codes for Fungal Nail Culture

Pathology and laboratory codes are essential for accurate billing and reimbursement in medical practices. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and are used to classify medical procedures and services. In this article, we will focus on the CPT code for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi.

What is a Fungal Nail Culture?

A fungal nail culture is a laboratory test used to diagnose fungal infections of the nails. Fungal infections of the nails, also known as onychomycosis, are caused by a variety of fungi that infect the nail plate, nail bed, or nail matrix. The culture is performed by collecting a sample of the infected nail and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.

CPT Codes for Fungal Nail Culture

The CPT codes for a fungal nail culture are listed below:

87101: Culture, fungal, nail, with microscopic examination
87102: Culture, fungal, nail, without microscopic examination
87103: Culture, fungal, nail, with microscopic examination and report
87106: Culture, fungal, nail, without microscopic examination and report

Selecting the Correct CPT Code

To select the correct CPT code for a fungal nail culture, we need to consider the type of examination performed and the level of detail required in the report.

87101: This code is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination. This code is suitable for cases where the laboratory performs a microscopic examination of the culture to identify the type of fungus present.
87102: This code is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination. This code is suitable for cases where the laboratory only performs a culture of the nail without microscopic examination.
87103: This code is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination and report. This code is suitable for cases where the laboratory performs a microscopic examination of the culture and provides a detailed report of the findings.
87106: This code is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination and report. This code is suitable for cases where the laboratory only performs a culture of the nail without microscopic examination and provides a basic report of the findings.

In conclusion, the CPT code for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi depends on the type of examination performed and the level of detail required in the report. By selecting the correct CPT code, medical practices can ensure accurate billing and reimbursement for laboratory services.

Use 87101 for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination.
Use 87102 for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination.
Use 87103 for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination and report.
Use 87106 for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination and report.

What is the CPT code for a fungal nail culture?
- The CPT codes for a fungal nail culture are 87101, 87102, 87103, and 87106.
What is the difference between 87101 and 87102?
- 87101 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination, while 87102 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination.
What is the difference between 87103 and 87106?
- 87103 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination and report, while 87106 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination and report.

American Medical Association. (2022). Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2022.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2022). National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Edits.
American Society for Clinical Pathology. (2022). Laboratory Medicine: A Guide to Clinical Laboratory Testing.
Frequently Asked Questions: CPT Codes for Fungal Nail Culture

A: The CPT codes for a fungal nail culture are 87101, 87102, 87103, and 87106.

A: 87101 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination, while 87102 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination.

A: 87103 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi with microscopic examination and report, while 87106 is used for a culture of a nail for the presence of fungi without microscopic examination and report.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a biopsy is 87104.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture and biopsy is 87105.

A: No, you cannot use 87101 and 87102 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.

A: No, you cannot use 87103 and 87106 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture and microscopic examination, but no report is 87101.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture, but no microscopic examination or report is 87102.

A: Yes, you can use 87101 and 87103 for the same patient. These codes are used for different levels of service and can be used together.

A: Yes, you can use 87102 and 87106 for the same patient. These codes are used for different levels of service and can be used together.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture, microscopic examination, and report is 87103.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture, but no microscopic examination or report is 87106.

A: No, you cannot use 87101 and 87106 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.

A: No, you cannot use 87103 and 87102 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture, microscopic examination, and report, but no biopsy is 87103.

A: The CPT code for a fungal nail culture with a culture, but no microscopic examination, report, or biopsy is 87106.

A: No, you cannot use 87101 and 87105 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.

A: No, you cannot use 87103 and 87104 for the same patient. These codes are mutually exclusive and should not be used together.