Lab & pathology
87591 — Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid; Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amplified probe technique
A molecular (PCR/NAAT) test detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA/RNA in urine or swab specimens to diagnose gonorrhea infection.
- Typical setting: Hospital lab, reference lab
- National avg charge (illustrative): $25–$55 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $40–$130 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Same bundling issues as 87491 — 87591 and 87491 are commonly ordered together; verify whether a combined dual-target code (87800) should be used instead
What it means
What 87591 actually means
A molecular (PCR/NAAT) test detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA/RNA in urine or swab specimens to diagnose gonorrhea infection. This is the most accurate method for diagnosing gonorrhea and is often run at the same time as the chlamydia NAAT test.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Same bundling issues as 87491 — 87591 and 87491 are commonly ordered together; verify whether a combined dual-target code (87800) should be used instead
- Billing gonorrhea NAAT (87591) alongside gonorrhea culture (87081) on the same specimen without documentation of why both methods were needed
- STI screening denials: requires appropriate ICD-10 screening or diagnostic codes — Z11.3 (STI encounter) or specific diagnosis code must link to the test
If you see 87591 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 87591 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
80050 — General health panel; includes CBC w/diff, CMP, TSH
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80051 — Electrolyte panel; CO2, chloride, potassium, sodium
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80053 — Comprehensive metabolic panel
If individual blood tests are also on your bill, you may have an unbundling error.
CPT
80055 — Obstetric panel; CBC w/diff, HBsAg, rubella Ab, syphilis, RBC Ab screen, ABO/Rh
Lab — check for unbundling and duplicate billing.
CPT
80061 — Lipid panel (cholesterol)
If you see HDL or LDL listed separately next to 80061, that's unbundling.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 87591 on a bill.
87591 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 87591 usually cost?
$25–$55 Medicare allowed (CMS CLFS); $40–$130 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 87591?
Same bundling issues as 87491 — 87591 and 87491 are commonly ordered together; verify whether a combined dual-target code (87800) should be used instead
What should I do if I see 87591 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 87591 before paying.
Don't pay 87591 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.