Summary & Overview
CPT 0178U: VeriMAP Peanut Sensitivity Bead-Based Epitope Assay
CPT code 0178U designates a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test: the VeriMAP Peanut Sensitivity – Bead–based Epitope Assay from AllerGenis™ Clinical Laboratory. This specialized blood test maps patient-specific peanut protein epitopes using a bead–based microarray immunoassay and reports the minimum dose of peanut protein capable of triggering an allergic reaction in highly sensitized individuals. The code is significant nationally because it identifies a single-manufacturer diagnostic assay with potential implications for allergy management, laboratory billing, and coverage policy.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise account of what the code represents, the clinical context of epitope mapping for peanut allergy, and which major payers are part of the coverage landscape. The publication outlines expected service settings, common modifiers associated with lab billing, and notes where input data are not available for specific taxonomies, ICD-10 links, or related codes.
This summary prepares payers, billing professionals, and clinical laboratory managers to understand the test’s purpose, the coding designation as a PLA, and where to look for payer-specific coverage policies and reimbursement details.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0178U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code for the VeriMAP Peanut Sensitivity – Bead–based Epitope Assay from AllerGenis™ Clinical Laboratory. The test is a blood-based bead–based microarray immunoassay that maps patient epitopes (immunogenic antigens in food proteins) and reports the minimum dose of peanut protein capable of causing an allergic reaction in highly sensitized patients.
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test (proprietary PLA assay)
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or outpatient phlebotomy collection site, with analytic processing performed by the manufacturer laboratory.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A pediatric or adult patient with a history of immediate-type allergic reactions to peanut exposure or with sensitization on prior testing presents for advanced risk stratification. The treating allergist or immunologist orders the VeriMAP Peanut Sensitivity – Bead–based Epitope Assay (0178U) to map IgE-binding epitopes to peanut proteins and to estimate the minimum eliciting dose in highly sensitized patients. Typical clinical workflow: the clinician documents history of allergic reactions, prior skin or serum testing results, and rationale for epitope mapping (for example, discordant clinical history and standard testing or consideration of desensitization). A venous blood specimen is collected in an appropriate tube at an outpatient clinic, specialty allergy office, or hospital outpatient laboratory. The sample is sent to AllerGenis™ Clinical Laboratory for bead–based microarray immunoassay. Results are returned to the ordering clinician and integrated into the allergy management plan, which may include avoidance counseling, prescription of emergency medications (epinephrine autoinjector), consideration of oral immunotherapy or supervised food challenge planning. Typical site of service: outpatient specialty clinic (allergy/immunology) or outpatient laboratory; specimen collection may occur in hospital outpatient clinics. Service type: Proprietary Laboratory Analysis (PLA) — specialized diagnostic laboratory test performed by a single manufacturer/laboratory.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
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