CPT 0280U: VWF Collagen IV Binding ELISA, Plasma

CPT code 0280U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code for the Versiti™ VWF Collagen IV Binding assay, a lab-specific plasma ELISA that evaluates von Willebrand Factor (VWF) binding to collagen IV to assess platelet adhesion. As a PLA code, 0280U identifies a single manufacturer's or laboratory's unique test and is used in claims to denote that specific assay.

This publication addresses national implications for laboratory billing, clinical interpretation, and payer coverage for CPT code 0280U. Key payers covered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an explanation of the test's clinical purpose, benchmarks for how the service is reported, and relevant payer considerations where available. The report also highlights coding context for proprietary assays, common modifiers that appear on related claims, and expected sites of service.

The content provides clinicians, laboratory managers, and reimbursement staff with a concise reference to what CPT code 0280U represents, why PLA designation matters for billing and claim adjudication, and which payers are relevant in a national context. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable in detail sections.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0280U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that applies only to a single, manufacturer- or lab-specific test: Versiti™ VWF Collagen IV Binding performed by Versiti™ Diagnostic Laboratories. The test is reported for analysis of von Willebrand Factor (VWF) collagen IV binding using a plasma specimen and an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate platelet adhesion related to collagen IV binding sites.

Service type: Laboratory diagnostic assay (proprietary PLA test)

Typical site of service: Commercial or reference diagnostic laboratory (plasma specimen)

Clinical Context

A 32-year-old woman with a history of mucocutaneous bleeding and prolonged bleeding after dental procedures is referred for specialized hemostasis testing. The hematologist orders the Versiti™ VWF Collagen IV Binding assay to evaluate von Willebrand Factor (VWF) interaction with collagen IV following an abnormal initial VWF antigen and activity screen. A blood specimen (plasma) is collected in the outpatient phlebotomy lab or in the hospital laboratory and sent to Versiti™ Diagnostic Laboratories. The laboratory performs the VWF collagen IV binding assay by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results are reported to the ordering clinician to assist in diagnosing qualitative VWF defects, VWF adhesion abnormalities, or subtype characterization in suspected von Willebrand disease. Typical sites of service include outpatient hospital laboratories, independent diagnostic laboratories, and specialty coagulation reference labs. Patient workflow: clinician evaluation → order for specialized VWF testing → venipuncture for plasma specimen → specimen transport to Versiti™ Diagnostic Laboratories → performance of 0280U by ELISA → laboratory result reporting and clinical interpretation by the hematology team.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional interpretation component of testing if separated from the technical component.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2080P0300X`	Hematology	Hematologists order and interpret VWF specialty testing.
`207K00000X`	Clinical Pathology	Pathologists or laboratory medicine specialists oversee reference coagulation assays.
`363L00000X`	Diagnostic Laboratory	Clinical laboratory personnel perform specimen processing and ELISA testing.
`207X00000X`	Anatomic and Clinical Pathology	Oversight of specialized coagulation diagnostic workflows.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D68.0`	von Willebrand disease	Primary diagnosis associated with ordering VWF collagen binding assays to subtype or evaluate functional defects.
`R04.0`	Epistaxis	Common bleeding presentation prompting coagulation and VWF testing.
`R58`	Hemorrhage, not elsewhere classified	General bleeding symptom leading to specialized hemostasis testing.
`D69.5`	Secondary thrombocytopenia	Platelet-related bleeding disorders assessed together with VWF function tests to differentiate causes.
`N92.6`	Irregular menstrual bleeding	Menorrhagia is a common clinical presentation that triggers VWF testing in women of reproductive age.
`Z13.6`	Encounter for screening for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease — hemostasis and thrombosis screening	Used when patients undergo targeted hemostatic screening including specialized VWF assays.
`O99.8`	Other specified diseases and conditions complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium	Pregnancy-associated evaluation of bleeding disorders may include specialized VWF testing.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`0280U`	Versiti™ VWF Collagen IV Binding assay (PLA)	The proprietary assay performed by Versiti™ Diagnostic Laboratories; primary code for the ELISA-based VWF collagen IV binding test.
`85306`	Prothrombin time (PT); plasma	Common coagulation screening test ordered concurrently in bleeding evaluation.
`85384`	Von Willebrand factor antigen	Quantitative VWF antigen testing often performed alongside functional VWF assays.
`85386`	von Willebrand factor, ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo)	Functional VWF activity assay frequently used in parallel to characterize VWF function.
`85730`	Platelet function tests; aggregation and platelet function analysis	May be used to evaluate platelet-adhesion defects when VWF-collagen binding abnormalities are suspected.

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Summary & Overview