Summary & Overview
CPT 0088U: Molecular Microscope MMDx–Kidney Assay for Transplant Risk
CPT code 0088U designates a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test: the Molecular Microscope® MMDx–Kidney assay from Kashi Clinical Laboratories. The test analyzes expression of 1,494 genes in transplanted kidney biopsy tissue and compares the pattern to a large reference library to determine risk of transplant organ failure. This molecular diagnostic represents an advanced tool for assessing rejection and graft prognosis and is nationally relevant as precision diagnostics expand in transplant care.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of payer coverage patterns and common modifiers used with the code, plus clinical context on how the assay functions in transplant evaluation. The report outlines benchmarks for utilization and coding practice where available, summarizes policy implications for laboratory reimbursement under PLA coding, and highlights clinical circumstances in which the test is applied.
The content is intended for administrators, coding professionals, and clinicians who need a concise national summary of CPT code 0088U, including what the code represents, where it is performed, and the types of policy and billing considerations that typically accompany proprietary molecular diagnostics.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0088U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that specifically identifies the Molecular Microscope® MMDx–Kidney test from Kashi Clinical Laboratories. The test evaluates expression across 1,494 genes in transplanted kidney biopsy tissue and compares results to a proprietary reference library to assess risk of transplant organ failure.
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Service type: Molecular diagnostic laboratory test for transplant pathology
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or specialized transplant diagnostic laboratory (performed on kidney biopsy tissue)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease underwent a deceased donor kidney transplant 18 months ago. He presents to the transplant clinic with rising serum creatinine and new-onset proteinuria. The transplant nephrologist orders the Molecular Microscope® MMDx–Kidney test (0088U) on a core needle transplant kidney biopsy specimen to evaluate molecular signatures associated with rejection and risk of graft failure. Tissue is obtained in the interventional radiology or outpatient procedure unit, submitted to the hospital pathology lab for processing and then sent to Kashi Clinical Laboratories per the manufacturer’s instructions. Results comparing expression across 1,494 genes against the reference library are returned to the transplant team to support diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection, T-cell–mediated rejection, or nonimmune injury and to inform surveillance and management decisions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing provider reports only the professional interpretation portion of the test (rare for PLA tests if separate billing occurs) |
TC |