A Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code has been created that streamlines the infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), for the rubeola (measles) virus by amplified probe technique currently available on the United States market.
Along with releasing the standard code descriptor PDF, an easy to use .txt file will also be released on May 29, 2026, that will include the testing for rubeola virus related CPT code. The file contains the rubeola (measles) virus CPT code since the Standard Data file 3 release on April 1, 2026 and includes:
- CPT code descriptors (long, medium, and short)
- Published date
- Effective date
- Type of change
Category I and Pathology and Laboratory/ Microbiology
The CPT Editorial Panel has approved addition of code 87638 to report infectious agent detection by nucleic acid using amplified probe technique:
Review and download the full CPT code descriptor release.
- Rubeola virus (measles) long descriptors (PDF, updated May 15, 2026)
- Rubeola virus (measles) medium descriptors (PDF, updated May 15, 2026)
- Rubeola virus (measles) short descriptors (PDF, updated May 15, 2026)
CPT® Assistant guidance for new codes
In the fall of 2026, CPT Assistant will be provide coding guidance for the new testing of rubeola virus code.
The fact sheet will feature descriptors and purpose, clinical examples, description of the procedures, and FAQs.
Related resources
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