SUPERSEDED LCD Reference Article Billing and Coding Article

Billing and Coding: MolDX: Targeted and Comprehensive Genomic Profile Next Generation Sequencing Testing in Cancer

A54901

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Draft Articles are works in progress and not necessarily a reflection of the current billing and coding practices. Revisions to codes are carefully and thoroughly reviewed and are not intended to change the original intent of the LCD.
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Source Article ID
N/A
Article ID
A54901
Original ICD-9 Article ID
Not Applicable
Article Title
Billing and Coding: MolDX: Targeted and Comprehensive Genomic Profile Next Generation Sequencing Testing in Cancer
Article Type
Billing and Coding
Original Effective Date
12/16/2015
Revision Effective Date
11/22/2023
Revision Ending Date
03/20/2024
Retirement Date
N/A
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Article Text

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

NGS allows identification of somatic and/or germline alterations in multiple genes simultaneously. This guideline focuses on Targeted and Comprehensive Genomic Profile testing for somatic variant detection using tumor tissue only-based panels for cancer.

Definitions:

Targeted Tumor Panels

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panels are hereby defined as tests that identify somatic alterations known to occur in certain regions (i.e., 'hotspots') within specific genes of interest for cancer management (i.e., diagnosis, selection of molecularly targeted therapies, prognosis in a context where prognostic classification is essential for treatment selection). Generally, these NGS panels can detect single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions or deletions (INDELs) within these regions. These alterations typically represent response or lack of response to corresponding targeted cancer therapies. The hotspot test should include relevant regions in the genes required for companion diagnostic testing and/or known to be necessary for proper patient management.

Comprehensive Genomic Profile (CGP) Testing

CGP refers to NGS-based molecular assays that provide additional insight beyond individual gene hotspots; these assays seek to describe the genomic makeup of a tumor and can help identify underlying mechanisms of disease to guide clinical decision making. These tests include not only mutations in individual relevant genes, but also patterns of mutations across related genes in established cancer pathways and often include an assessment of overall mutational burden. These tests typically involve sequencing of entire exonic regions of genes of interest (within a comprehensive gene panel or whole exome sequencing), and may also include selected intronic regions. CGP can detect multiple types of molecular alterations (i.e., SNVs, small and large INDELs, copy number alterations (CNAs), structural variants (SVs), and splice-site variants) in a single assay. Patterns of mutations seen across multiple genes may be used to infer clinically relevant etiologies, such as DNA mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability, and total mutational load/burden (TMB) may be determined. CGP testing may also include RNA sequencing to detect structural variations, such as translocations or large deletions, and to detect functional splicing mutations. CGP is not defined as a targeted panel by MolDX.

CPT coding Instructions:

Targeted Panels

To bill for targeted NGS gene panel services for somatic variant detection, review CPT codes 81445 and 81450. The units of service (UOS) for an NGS gene panel is one (UOS=1). Providers must also provide the approved DEX Z-Code identifier for the test.

Effective July 1, 2017, laboratories with 2 to 4 gene(s) on their targeted NGS panel should use CPT 81479 and one (1) UOS along with their test identifier (DEX Z-CodeTM) to represent this service on their claims. 

CGP

As CGP testing is not defined as a targeted panel by MolDX, and it is a test not currently satisfactorily described by any existing CPT code. Therefore, to report a CGP service, test providers should use CPT code 81479 at this time, in addition to the approved DEX Z-CodeTM for the test. Coverage of CGP is limited to one test per surgical specimen, and precludes the use of any other molecular testing on that specimen.

For NGS-based tests that do not fit under the above definitions of “targeted” or “Comprehensive” panels, billing with the “Not Otherwise Classified” (NOC) code 81479 along with the approved DEX Z-CodeTM identifier is appropriate.

Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 individual biomarker CPT codes should not be used for a single gene or any combination of genes when testing is performed as part of a NGS or other multiplexing technology panel.

Refer to Billing and Coding: MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors A57870 for CPT/HCPCS codes and ICD-10 codes relevant for solid tumors.

Refer to Billing and Coding: MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing Lab-Developed Tests for Myeloid Malignancies and Suspected Myeloid Malignancies A57873 for CPT/HCPCS codes and ICD-10 codes relevant for myeloid malignancies.

Response To Comments

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Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

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Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination. Complete absence of all Revenue Codes indicates that coverage is not influenced by Revenue Code and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.

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Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation
11/22/2023 R16

Revision Effective: 11/22/2023
Revision Explanation: Updated LCD Reference Article section.

02/02/2023 R15

Revision Effective: 02/02/2023

Revision Explanation: Annual review, no changes

03/16/2022 R14

Revision Effective: 03/16/2022

Revision Explanation: Under Article Text added verbiage and hyperlinks for “Refer to Billing and Coding: MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors A57831 for CPT/HCPCS codes and ICD-10 codes relevant for solid tumors. Refer to Billing and Coding: MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing Lab-Developed Test for CPT/HCPCS codes and ICD-10 codes relevant for myeloid malignancies”. Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 1: Paragraph deleted the verbiage. Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 1: Codes deleted all CPT/HCPCS codes listed. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 2: Paragraph deleted the verbiage. Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 2: Codes deleted all CPT/HCPCS codes listed. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Paragraph deleted the verbiage. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Codes deleted all ICD-10 codes listed. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 2: Paragraph deleted the verbiage. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 2: Codes deleted all ICD-10 codes listed.

01/01/2022 R13

Revision Effective: 1/1/2022

Revision Explanation:

Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 2: Codes the description was revised for 0244U. This revision is due to the 2022 Annual CPT/HCPCS Code Update and is effective on January 1, 2022.

Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Codes added D46.4, D47.9, D72.829, and D75.9. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 2: Codes added: C00.2, C00.5, C00.6, C00.9, C02.3, C02.9, C03.9, C04.9, C05.9, C06.80, C06.9, C08.9, C09.9, C10.9, C11.9, C13.9, C14.0, C15.9, C16.5, C16.6, C16.9, C17.9, C18.9, C21.0, C22.8, C24.9, C25.9, C26.0, C31.9, C32.9, C34.00, C34.10, C34.30, C34.80, C34.90, C34.91, C34.92, C38.3, C39.0, C39.9, C40.00, C40.10, C40.20, C40.30, C40.80, C40.90, C40.91, C40.92, C41.9, C43.10, C43.20, C43.30, C43.60, C43.70, C43.9, C4A.10, C4A.20, C4A.30, C4A.60, C4A.70, C4A.9, C44.00, C44.101, C44.1021, C44.1022, C44.1091, C44.1092, C44.111, C44.121, C44.191, C44.201, C44.202, C44.209, C44.211, C44.221, C44.291, C44.300, C44.301, C44.309, C44.310, C44.320, C44.390, C44.40, C44.500, C44.501, C44.509, C44.601, C44.602, C44.609, C44.611, C44.621, C44.691, C44.701, C44.702, C44.709, C44.711, C44.721, C44.791, C44.80, C44.90, C44.91, C44.92, C44.99, C45.9, C47.10, C47.20, C47.6, C47.9, C48.2, C49.10, C49.20, C49.6, C49.9, C49.A0, C50.019, C50.029, C50.119, C50.129, C50.219, C50.229, C50.319, C50.329, C50.419, C50.429, C50.519, C50.529, C50.619, C50.629, C50.819, C50.829, C50.911, C50.912, C50.919, C50.921, C50.922, C50.929, C51.9, C53.9, C54.9, C55, C56.9, C57.00, C57.10, C57.20, C57.4, C57.9, C60.9, C62.00, C62.10, C62.90, C62.91, C62.92, C63.00, C63.10, C63.9, C64.9, C65.9, C66.9, C67.9, C68.9, C69.00, C69.10, C69.20, C69.30, C69.40, C69.50, C69.60, C69.80, C69.90, C69.91, C69.92, C70.9, C71.9, C72.20, C72.30, C72.40, C72.50, C72.9, C74.00, C74.10, C74.90, C74.91, C74.92, C75.8, C75.9 C7A.00, C7A.019, C7A.029, C7A.094, C7A.095, C7A.096, C76.40, C76.50, C80.0, and C80.1.The deletion of these codes with Revision 11 was done in error and is retroactive effective for dates of service on or after 06/24/2021.

11/08/2021 R12

Revision Effective: 11/08/2021

Revision Explanation: Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Codes deleted D46.9.

10/01/2021 R11

Revision Effective: 10/01/2021

Revision Explanation: Under group 2 ICD-10 codes that support medical necessity,  code C84.7A was added in error and has been removed. Code C21.1 was left off in error and has been added to group 2.

10/01/2021 R10

Revision Effective: 10/01/2021

Revision Explanation: Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 2: Codes added 0250U. This revision is due to the Q3 2021 CPT/HCPCS Code Update and is effective for dates of service on or after 7/1/2021.

Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Codes added D75.838. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 2: Codes added C56.3. This revision is due to the Annual ICD-10 Update and will become effective on 10/1/2021.

06/24/2021 R9

Revision Effective: 06/24/2021

Revision Explanation: Added D47.02, D47.1, D47.3,D47.4, D47.Z9 to Group 1 codes, removed C4A.20 from Group 2 codes, confirmed that D47.9 within revision 7 history table was a typographical error.

06/24/2021 R8

Revision Effective: 06/24/2021

Revision Explanation: Added D47.02, D47.1, D47.3,D47.4, D47.Z9 to Group 1 codes, removed C4A.20 from Group 2 codes, confirmed that D47.9 within revision 7 history table was a typographical error.

06/24/2021 R7

Revision Effective: 06/24/2021

Revision Explanation:

Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 2: Codes added 0244U. This revision is due to the Q2 2021 CPT/HCPCS Code Update and is effective for dates of service on or after 4/1/2021.

Under Article Text subsection Targeted Panels revised second paragraph to read “Effective July 1, 2017, laboratories with 2 to 4 genes on their targeted NGS panel should use CPT 81479 and one (1) UOS along with their test identifier (DEX Z-CodeTM) to represent this service on their claims” and moved second sentence to end of article text. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1: Codes deleted D46.4, D47.9, D72.829, and D75.9. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 2: Codes deleted C00.2, C00.5, C00.6, C00.9, C02.3, C02.9, C03.9, C04.9, C05.9, C06.80, C06.9, C08.9, C09.9, C10.9, C11.9, C13.9, C14.0, C15.9, C16.5, C16.6, C16.9, C17.9, C18.9, C21.0, C22.8, C24.9, C25.9, C26.0, C31.9, C32.9, C34.00, C34.10, C34.30, C34.80, C34.90, C34.91, C34.92, C38.3, C39.0, C39.9, C40.00, C40.10, C40.20, C40.30, C40.80, C40.90, C40.91, C40.92, C41.9, C43.10, C43.20, C43.30, C43.60, C43.70, C43.9, C4A.10, C4A.20, C4A.30, C4A.60, C4A.70, C4A.9, C44.00, C44.101, C44.1021, C44.1022, C44.1091, C44.1092, C44.111, C44.121, C44.191, C44.201, C44.202, C44.209, C44.211, C44.221, C44.291, C44.300, C44.301, C44.309, C44.310, C44.320, C44.390, C44.40, C44.500, C44.501, C44.509, C44.601, C44.602, C44.609, C44.611, C44.621, C44.691, C44.701, C44.702, C44.709, C44.711, C44.721, C44.791, C44.80, C44.90, C44.91, C44.92, C44.99, C45.9, C47.10, C47.20, C47.6, C47.9, C48.2, C49.10, C49.20, C49.6, C49.9, C49.A0, C50.019, C50.029, C50.119, C50.129, C50.219, C50.229, C50.319, C50.329, C50.419, C50.429, C50.519, C50.529, C50.619, C50.629, C50.819, C50.829, C50.911, C50.912, C50.919, C50.921, C50.922, C50.929, C51.9, C53.9, C54.9, C55, C56.9, C57.00, C57.10, C57.20, C57.4, C57.9, C60.9, C62.00, C62.10, C62.90, C62.91, C62.92, C63.00, C63.10, C63.9, C64.9, C65.9, C66.9, C67.9, C68.9, C69.00, C69.10, C69.20, C69.30, C69.40, C69.50, C69.60, C69.80, C69.90, C69.91, C69.92, C70.9, C71.9, C72.20, C72.30, C72.40, C72.50, C72.9, C74.00, C74.10, C74.90, C74.91, C74.92, C75.8, C75.9 C7A.00, C7A.019, C7A.029, C7A.094, C7A.095, C7A.096, C76.40, C76.50, C80.0, and C80.1.

10/31/2019 R6

Revision Effective: n/a

Revision Explanation: Annual Review, no changes

10/31/2019 R5

Revision Effective date: 10/31/2019
Revision Explanation:This article is being revised in order to adhere to CMS requirements per chapter 13, section 13.5.1 of the Program Integrity Manual. Formatting, punctuation and typographical errors were corrected throughout the article.

10/03/2019 R4

Revision Effective date: 10/03/2019
Revision Explanation: Converted article into new billing and coding article format.

04/04/2019 R3

Revision Effective: 04/04/2019
Revision Explanation:Revisions were made to the article to:

  1. Clarify the definitions of “targeted” and “CGP” to be more compatible with both accepted terminology and the language used in the CPT codes.
  2. Remove unnecessary restrictions from sample types (i.e., “fluid” samples)
  3. Clarify appropriate CPT coding and add CPT codes
  4. Set up the rationale why CGP is best classified with a NOC code
10/19/2017 R2

Revision Effective: 10/19/2017
Revision Explanation: Revised article to incorporate A54900 Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 Coding and Billing Guidelines. Added MolDX to title.

12/16/2015 R1 R1
Revision Effective: 12/16/2015
Revision Explanation: Clarified language in paragraph 3 of text.
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Associated Documents

Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2 SAD Determinations
Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2
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LCDs
L36021 - MolDX: Molecular Diagnostic Tests (MDT)
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