Summary & Overview
CPT 0371U: Qlear UTI Multiplex Urine Molecular Test
CPT code 0371U identifies a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) assay for Qlear UTI, a multiplex amplified-probe molecular test that detects one fungal and 16 bacterial organisms in urine specimens associated with urinary tract infections. As a PLA code, 0371U applies uniquely to the Qlear UTI test produced by Lifescan Labs of Illinois, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Its PLA status signals a single-source, manufacturer- or lab-specific service that is tracked separately from general molecular panels.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will gain a concise overview of the clinical purpose of the test, typical site-of-service expectations, and the national relevance of PLA coding for proprietary diagnostics. The publication outlines billing and coverage considerations commonly affecting PLA codes, summarizes typical payer approaches, and provides context for coding fidelity and claim submission. Information on available benchmarks, payer policy variations, and related reimbursement trends is presented where available. Data not available in the input will be identified as such rather than inferred.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0371U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code specific to a single commercial test: Qlear UTI from Lifescan Labs of Illinois, Thermo Fisher Scientific. The code describes a laboratory assay that evaluates a urine specimen using a multiplex amplified probe technique to detect the presence of one fungal organism or any of 16 bacterial organisms that may cause urinary tract infections.
Service type: Laboratory — molecular diagnostic test
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or outpatient collection site (urine specimen collection with laboratory processing)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old female presents to an outpatient primary care clinic with dysuria, urinary frequency, and suprapubic discomfort for 48 hours after intermittent episodes of similar symptoms. A clean-catch urine specimen is collected and sent to the laboratory for molecular testing to identify bacterial or fungal pathogens causing urinary tract infection. The clinic uses the proprietary assay 0371U (Qlear UTI from Lifescan Labs of Illinois, Thermo Fisher Scientific), which applies a multiplex amplified probe technique to detect one fungal species and 16 bacterial organisms associated with UTI. The specimen is transported to the performing laboratory, processed on an automated platform, and results are returned electronically to the ordering clinician within the test’s turnaround time. Results guide selection of targeted antimicrobial therapy and influence decisions about urine culture, additional susceptibility testing, or referral to urology for complicated or recurrent infections.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier required; default reporting | Use when no special circumstance applies to the service. |
26 |