# CPT 87635

> Not at a published national rate. CPT 87635 carries status X (statutory exclusion) in the Q3 2020 release. The statutory definition of physician services does not include this item. Treat the blank amount as unpriced, not as $0.

## What it is

The standard molecular test for SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. The lab amplifies a specific stretch of the virus's genetic material from a swab or saliva sample, which makes even small amounts detectable and gives it considerably more sensitivity than a rapid antigen test. It looks for this virus alone; combined runs that also cover influenza or RSV are separate codes.

## Selected release

- Release: Q3 2020 (2020 C)
- Effective: July 1 – September 30, 2020
- Status indicator: X
- Office (non-facility) national allowed amount: not published
- Facility national allowed amount: not published
- Sequestration: not applied

## RVUs and formula

- Work RVU: not published
- Office (non-facility) practice expense RVU: not published
- Facility practice expense RVU: not published
- Malpractice RVU: not published
- Conversion factor: 36.0896
- Formula: `(work_rvu × work_gpci + pe_rvu × pe_gpci + mp_rvu × mp_gpci) × conversion_factor`

## Source and citation

- Source: Physician relative value file (Q3 2020)
- CMS file: https://www.cms.gov/files/zip/rvu20c-updated-06192020.zip
- Parsed file: PPRRVU20_V0618.csv, row 15,292
- Canonical page: https://localishealth.com/cpt/87635/2020/B
- Release-specific citation URL: https://localishealth.com/cpt/87635/2020/C
- Last significant update: 2026-08-04T03:09:46+00:00