Summary & Overview
CPT 81447: Targeted Genomic Sequence Panel for Solid Organ Neoplasms
CPT 81447 denotes a targeted genomic sequencing panel for solid organ neoplasms that analyzes DNA across 5–50 genes. This molecular pathology service supports identification of actionable somatic mutations and other genomic alterations that can influence diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection in oncology. The code matters nationally as precision oncology testing becomes routinely integrated into cancer care pathways and as payers refine coverage and billing policies for multigene panels.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coding context, payer coverage landscape, common billing modifiers, associated clinical diagnoses, and related pathology codes used alongside targeted genomic panels. The publication also summarizes clinical scenarios where a 5–50 gene DNA panel is commonly applied and highlights relevant adjacent pathology procedures that may be billed in the laboratory workflow.
The content is designed to inform laboratory billing staff, coding specialists, and policy analysts about the clinical purpose of the code, typical service setting, and the payer mix most relevant to reimbursement and documentation considerations. Data not available in the input is noted explicitly where applicable.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 81447 is a targeted genomic sequence analysis panel for solid organ neoplasms, performing DNA analysis of 5–50 genes. The test identifies clinically relevant somatic variants within a focused set of genes commonly implicated in solid tumor pathology, supporting diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic decision contexts.
Service Type: Pathology and Laboratory
Typical Site of Service: Laboratory (POS 81)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient with a confirmed or suspected solid organ malignancy undergoes tumor molecular testing to guide targeted therapy, prognosis, or clinical trial eligibility. Typical specimens include formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from surgical resection, core needle biopsy, or fine needle aspiration cell block. The specimen is sent to a molecular pathology laboratory (POS 81) where a pathologist or molecular technologist performs a targeted genomic sequence analysis panel of tumor DNA covering 5–50 genes (81447). The laboratory completes technical processing, sequencing, and variant calling, and the pathologist performs interpretation and issues a clinical report describing detected somatic mutations and their potential therapeutic or prognostic implications. Common clinical contexts include staging and treatment planning for lung (C34.90), breast (C50.919), colon (C18.9), prostate (C61), or pancreatic (C25.9) cancers.
Coding Specifications
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Modifiers
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26— Professional Component: Use when billing only the professional component (interpretation and report) performed by a qualified pathologist or molecular geneticist. -
TC— Technical Component: Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory processing, sequencing, instrumentation, and raw data generation) provided by the performing laboratory or facility.