Summary & Overview
CPT 0108U: TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Risk Assay
CPT code 0108U designates the TissueCypher® Barrett’s Esophagus Assay, a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test from Cernostics Lab that assists pathologists in interpreting esophageal biopsies and predicting risk of progression to high‑grade dysplasia or esophageal cancer. As a PLA code, 0108U maps to a single manufacturer‑specific test and is used in claims to identify this proprietary prognostic assay. Nationally, such PLA codes are important for tracking uptake of advanced diagnostics and for payer coverage and coding clarity in precision pathology.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of coverage and billing context for 0108U, benchmark considerations for laboratory pathology services, and the clinical context for use in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. The publication also summarizes common modifiers and notes when data are unavailable.
This summary equips policy, coding, and revenue teams with the clinical purpose of the assay, the billing identifier to use on claims, and the national payer landscape to consider when assessing coverage and reimbursement for this laboratory prognostic test.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0108U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code for the TissueCypher® Barrett’s Esophagus Assay produced by Cernostics Lab. The assay is used to help pathologists interpret esophageal biopsy specimens and to predict risk for high‑grade dysplasia or esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s esophagus.
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Service type: Laboratory pathology assay providing prognostic risk stratification for Barrett’s esophagus.
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory processing esophageal biopsy specimens; test ordered by pathologists or treating clinicians and performed offsite at the manufacturer's laboratory.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with a history of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and known Barrett’s esophagus undergoes routine surveillance upper endoscopy with biopsies. The endoscopist submits formalin-fixed esophageal biopsy specimens to the pathology laboratory. The pathologist performs routine histopathology and requests the TissueCypher® Barrett’s Esophagus Assay to provide objective risk stratification for progression to high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma. The laboratory processes the proprietary TissueCypher assay (reportable under CPT 0108U), integrates the assay result with the histologic interpretation, and issues a combined pathology report to the treating gastroenterologist. Typical sites of service include outpatient hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and commercial clinical reference laboratories. The typical clinical workflow: endoscopy with biopsy → histology processing and review → reflex or requested molecular assay (0108U) by the reference lab → molecular result returned to pathologist and ordering clinician to inform surveillance interval or management discussions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Standard technical and professional components | Rarely used; default when no component split applies |
| Professional component | When only the professional interpretation component of the test is billed separately