CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

CPT code 0181U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test for the Navigator CO Sequencing assay from Grifols Immunohematology Center that sequences specified gene regions to determine Colton (CO) blood group antigens; service type: molecular diagnostic sequencing of blood-group–related genes; typical site of service: clinical laboratory using a blood specimen, supporting transfusion, transplant, and perinatal compatibility assessment.

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CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

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Sign up for cpt 0181U policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 0181U are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A transfusion medicine specialist or immunohematology laboratory receives a blood specimen from a pregnant woman with a history of alloimmunization or from a patient scheduled for blood transfusion or organ transplant. The clinician orders the Navigator CO Sequencing test to determine Colton blood group antigen genotype by sequencing the specific gene regions identified by Grifols Immunohematology Center. The laboratory performs DNA extraction from the blood specimen, runs the proprietary sequencing assay, and generates a report indicating Colton (CO) antigen genotype (e.g., CO01, CO02, or variant alleles). Results are used by transfusion medicine physicians, obstetricians, neonatologists, or transplant teams to guide selection of antigen-compatible donor blood, manage hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn risk, and reduce risk of transfusion or transplant incompatibility. Typical workflow steps: order entry by clinician, specimen collection and shipment to the performing laboratory, receipt and accessioning, DNA-based sequencing assay run under the proprietary PLA method, result interpretation and report distribution to the ordering clinician, and documentation in the patient record prior to transfusion or transplant planning.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`86900`	Antibody identification; complete panel, each patient	Performed in immunohematology labs to identify clinically significant alloantibodies that may prompt Colton genotyping
`86850`	Blood typing; ABO, Rh(D) group	Standard serologic typing performed as part of pre-transfusion testing prior to molecular Colton sequencing
`86820`	Antibody screen, each patient	Initial screen for unexpected antibodies that can trigger extended antigen genotyping
`81479`	Unlisted molecular pathology procedure	Occasionally used for reporting novel or proprietary molecular tests when PLA codes are not available (administrative alternative)
`G0480`	Molecular pathology test; level 1 (Medicare G-code)	Example Medicare molecular pathology reporting that may be associated in broader molecular testing panels

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
3P	The CPT Category II modifier -3P denotes a performance‑measure exclusion when a required quality action was not performed because of system‑level constraints. It is appended only to Category II…	- When to apply: Use CPT Category II modifier 3P only with Category II (‘‘F’’) codes when a specific quality measure’s specifications allow a system‑level exclusion — append 3P to indicate the…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
55	Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…	- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Hematology (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
261QC1500X	Community Health Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
376G00000X	Nursing Home Administrator	An individual, often licensed by the state, who is responsible for the management of a nursing home.
251K00000X	Public Health or Welfare Agency	Agencies · Public Health or Welfare

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

21 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
D56.9	Thalassemia, unspecified
D67	Hereditary factor IX deficiency
D68.9	Coagulation defect, unspecified
P00.0	Newborn affected by maternal hypertensive disorders
P00.2	Newborn affected by maternal infectious and parasitic diseases
R79.9	Abnormal finding of blood chemistry, unspecified
T86.10	Unspecified complication of kidney transplant
T86.19	Other complication of kidney transplant
Z03.79	Encounter for other suspected maternal and fetal conditions ruled out
Z30.09	Encounter for other general counseling and advice on contraception

Showing 1–10 of 21

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
RTM Testing of Homocysteine Metabolism-Related Conditions	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multimarker Serum Testing Related to Ovarian Cancer	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Genomic Profiling for Selecting Targeted Cancer Therapies	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Whole Exome and Whole Genome Sequencing for Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Biomarker and Genetic/Molecular Testing Coverage and Prior Authorization	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)	univerahealthcare	2026-08-17
Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa) — Pompe Disease (acid alpha‑glucosidase deficiency)	Cigna	2026-08-15
Molecular Oncology Testing for Solid Tumor Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Decisions	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01
Molecular Oncology Testing for Hematologic Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Decisions	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01
Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01

CPT 0001U: PreciseType HEA Erythrocyte Antigen Genotyping

CPT-0002U-POLYPDX-URINE-METABOLOMIC-ASSAY-ADENOMATOUS-POLYP-RISK

CPT 0002U: PolypDX™ Urine Metabolomic Risk Assay

CPT-0003U-OVAR-A-NEXT-GENERATION-OVARIAN-CANCER-RISK-ASSAY

CPT 0003U: Overa (MIA2G) Ovarian Cancer Risk Assay

CPT-0005U-PROSTATE-EXOSOMEDX-INTELLISCORE-GENE-EXPRESSION-URINE-TEST

CPT 0005U: ExosomeDx Prostate (IntelliScore) urine gene expression test

CPT-0007U-TOXPROTECT-URINE-DRUG-SCREEN-WITH-DNA-AUTHENTICATION

CPT 0007U: ToxProtect Urine Drug Screen With DNA Authentication

CPT-0008U-H-PYLORI-ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE-SEQUENCING-PANEL

CPT 0008U: H. pylori Antibiotic Resistance Gene Panel

CPT-0009U-DEPARRAY-HER2-FISH-TUMOR-CELL-ISOLATION

CPT 0009U: DEPArray HER2 Tumor‑Cell Isolation with FISH Analysis

CPT-0010U-BACTERIAL-TYPING-WHOLE-GENOME-SEQUENCING-MAYO-CLINIC

CPT 0010U: Bacterial Typing by Whole Genome Sequencing, Mayo Clinic

CPT-0011U-CORDANT-CORE-ALGORITHMIC-ORAL-FLUID-DRUG-TEST

CPT 0011U: Oral Fluid Drug Test with Algorithmic Steady‑State Comparison

CPT-0016U-BCR-ABL1-MAJOR-MINOR-FUSION-TRANSCRIPT-TESTING

CPT 0016U: BCR–ABL1 Major and Minor Breakpoint Fusion Transcripts

Showing 1–10 of 536

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`86900`	Antibody identification; complete panel, each patient	Performed in immunohematology labs to identify clinically significant alloantibodies that may prompt Colton genotyping
`86850`	Blood typing; ABO, Rh(D) group	Standard serologic typing performed as part of pre-transfusion testing prior to molecular Colton sequencing
`86820`	Antibody screen, each patient	Initial screen for unexpected antibodies that can trigger extended antigen genotyping
`81479`	Unlisted molecular pathology procedure	Occasionally used for reporting novel or proprietary molecular tests when PLA codes are not available (administrative alternative)
`G0480`	Molecular pathology test; level 1 (Medicare G-code)	Example Medicare molecular pathology reporting that may be associated in broader molecular testing panels

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
3P	The CPT Category II modifier -3P denotes a performance‑measure exclusion when a required quality action was not performed because of system‑level constraints. It is appended only to Category II…	- When to apply: Use CPT Category II modifier 3P only with Category II (‘‘F’’) codes when a specific quality measure’s specifications allow a system‑level exclusion — append 3P to indicate the…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
55	Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…	- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Hematology (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
261QC1500X	Community Health Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
376G00000X	Nursing Home Administrator	An individual, often licensed by the state, who is responsible for the management of a nursing home.
251K00000X	Public Health or Welfare Agency	Agencies · Public Health or Welfare

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

21 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
D56.9	Thalassemia, unspecified
D67	Hereditary factor IX deficiency
D68.9	Coagulation defect, unspecified
P00.0	Newborn affected by maternal hypertensive disorders
P00.2	Newborn affected by maternal infectious and parasitic diseases
R79.9	Abnormal finding of blood chemistry, unspecified
T86.10	Unspecified complication of kidney transplant
T86.19	Other complication of kidney transplant
Z03.79	Encounter for other suspected maternal and fetal conditions ruled out
Z30.09	Encounter for other general counseling and advice on contraception

Showing 1–10 of 21

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
RTM Testing of Homocysteine Metabolism-Related Conditions	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multimarker Serum Testing Related to Ovarian Cancer	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Genomic Profiling for Selecting Targeted Cancer Therapies	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Whole Exome and Whole Genome Sequencing for Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Biomarker and Genetic/Molecular Testing Coverage and Prior Authorization	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)	univerahealthcare	2026-08-17
Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa) — Pompe Disease (acid alpha‑glucosidase deficiency)	Cigna	2026-08-15
Molecular Oncology Testing for Solid Tumor Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Decisions	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01
Molecular Oncology Testing for Hematologic Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Decisions	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01
Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases	Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans	2026-08-01

CPT 0001U: PreciseType HEA Erythrocyte Antigen Genotyping

CPT-0002U-POLYPDX-URINE-METABOLOMIC-ASSAY-ADENOMATOUS-POLYP-RISK

CPT 0002U: PolypDX™ Urine Metabolomic Risk Assay

CPT-0003U-OVAR-A-NEXT-GENERATION-OVARIAN-CANCER-RISK-ASSAY

CPT 0003U: Overa (MIA2G) Ovarian Cancer Risk Assay

CPT-0005U-PROSTATE-EXOSOMEDX-INTELLISCORE-GENE-EXPRESSION-URINE-TEST

CPT 0005U: ExosomeDx Prostate (IntelliScore) urine gene expression test

CPT-0007U-TOXPROTECT-URINE-DRUG-SCREEN-WITH-DNA-AUTHENTICATION

CPT 0007U: ToxProtect Urine Drug Screen With DNA Authentication

CPT-0008U-H-PYLORI-ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE-SEQUENCING-PANEL

CPT 0008U: H. pylori Antibiotic Resistance Gene Panel

CPT-0009U-DEPARRAY-HER2-FISH-TUMOR-CELL-ISOLATION

CPT 0009U: DEPArray HER2 Tumor‑Cell Isolation with FISH Analysis

CPT-0010U-BACTERIAL-TYPING-WHOLE-GENOME-SEQUENCING-MAYO-CLINIC

CPT 0010U: Bacterial Typing by Whole Genome Sequencing, Mayo Clinic

CPT-0011U-CORDANT-CORE-ALGORITHMIC-ORAL-FLUID-DRUG-TEST

CPT 0011U: Oral Fluid Drug Test with Algorithmic Steady‑State Comparison

CPT-0016U-BCR-ABL1-MAJOR-MINOR-FUSION-TRANSCRIPT-TESTING

CPT 0016U: BCR–ABL1 Major and Minor Breakpoint Fusion Transcripts

Showing 1–10 of 536

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

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OpenPayer

CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

Sign up for cpt 0181U policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

Sign up for cpt 0181U policy alerts

CPT 0181U: Colton (CO) Blood Group Sequencing

Sign up for cpt 0181U policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 0181U describe?

Which clinicians or specialties typically use results from 0181U?

What is the typical workflow for performing the Navigator CO Sequencing test reported with 0181U?

Which related CPT or Medicare codes might appear alongside 0181U in immunohematology workups?

What diagnoses or clinical scenarios are associated with ordering 0181U?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 0181U describe?

Which clinicians or specialties typically use results from 0181U?

What is the typical workflow for performing the Navigator CO Sequencing test reported with 0181U?

Which related CPT or Medicare codes might appear alongside 0181U in immunohematology workups?

What diagnoses or clinical scenarios are associated with ordering 0181U?

References