Multiplex Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) Tests for Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE)

One multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen panel (GPP) is covered for community-acquired acute diarrhea (≥3 loose/watery stools/day for ≤14 days) when associated with qualifying features such as prolonged duration (>7 days), severe illness, inflammatory diarrhea, high-risk host status (e.g., age ≥70, immunocompromised, IBD, pregnancy), public-health concerns, or pre-transplant evaluation. Tests are not covered as a test-of-cure, if collected >72 hours after hospital admission while inpatient, or if laxatives were used within 48 hours (unless severe disease is present). Tests must be FDA-cleared/approved or LDTs with published analytic validation or appropriate certification, and a second panel is permitted only under specified conditions (first negative, high suspicion, and clinical deterioration/not improving).

"Community-acquired acute diarrhea defined as ≥3 loose or watery stools per day for ≤14 days with duration >7 days."