2025 CPT code 81370
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Molecular Pathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
HLA Class I and II typing, low resolution, molecular techniques.
Modifier 26 (professional component) may be appended if physician interpretation is separately reported.Other modifiers may be needed depending on circumstances.
Medical necessity is established based on the clinical indication, such as pre-transplant compatibility assessment, suspicion of an HLA-associated disease, or pharmacogenomic testing to prevent adverse drug reactions. Supporting clinical information and documentation are needed to justify the test.
The clinical responsibility is primarily the laboratory analyst who performs the technical aspects of the test. Physician interpretation of results may be separately reported using code G0452 with modifier 26 (if applicable and per payer guidelines).
In simple words: This lab test identifies specific genes (HLA genes) that help your body distinguish its own cells from foreign invaders. It uses advanced molecular techniques to find variations in these genes.The results aren't super precise, but are detailed enough for many medical purposes, such as organ transplant matching or identifying genes linked to specific diseases.
This CPT code encompasses low or intermediate resolution typing of HLA Class I (HLA-A, -B, -C) and Class II (HLA-DRB1, -DRB3/4/5, -DQB1) genes using molecular methods.The procedure includes all analytical steps from nucleic acid extraction (e.g., cell lysis, digestion) to identification of target HLA gene sequences (e.g., amplification, hybridization, sequencing). Low or intermediate resolution typing identifies alleles without high specificity, such as two-digit HLA names or a string of alleles/NMDP code.High-resolution typing, which resolves common well-defined alleles using at least 4 digits, is not included.Ambiguous allele combinations requiring additional testing for high-resolution typing are included in the base code.
Example 1: Pre-transplant evaluation: HLA typing is crucial for assessing compatibility between organ/stem cell donors and recipients to minimize the risk of rejection., Disease association: HLA alleles or allele groups can be associated with various autoimmune diseases (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis linked to HLA-B*27). This test can aid in diagnosis and prognosis., Pharmacogenomics:Certain HLA alleles can predict adverse drug reactions (e.g., abacavir hypersensitivity and HLA-B*57:01).This test assists in personalized medication choices.
Detailed patient demographics, specimen type (e.g., blood, tissue), date and time of collection, testing methodology used, and complete results including allele designations (low/intermediate resolution) are required.If applicable, documentation should specify any pre-analytical steps performed and associated codes.
** The specificity of the test is defined as low or intermediate resolution. High-resolution typing is not included in this code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This code represents the technical component; the professional component can be billed separately with modifier 26.
- Specialties:Immunology, Transplantation, Rheumatology, Oncology, Hematology
- Place of Service:Laboratory, Hospital (inpatient/outpatient), Reference Laboratory