Summary & Overview

CPT 0453U: ColonAiQ® cfDNA/ctDNA Methylation PCR Assay

CPT code 0453U designates a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test specific to ColonAiQ® from Breakthrough Genomics. It identifies methylation changes in cell–free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma using a quantitative PCR assay to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) associated with colorectal cancer. As a PLA code, 0453U is uniquely tied to a single manufacturer's test and has implications for lab reporting, payer coverage determinations, and diagnostic pathways for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.

Key payers considered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a national overview of the code’s clinical purpose, typical sites of service, and the service type. The publication summarizes payer coverage patterns, benchmarking context, and relevant policy and billing considerations for PLA-designated tests, and provides clinical context on how a plasma-based cfDNA methylation PCR assay fits into diagnostic workflows for colorectal cancer detection and monitoring.

This content is intended to inform clinical, billing, and policy stakeholders about the role and classification of CPT code 0453U, the clinical assay it represents, and the payer landscape relevant to adoption and reimbursement discussions.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare0453UCPTProprietary Laboratory AnalysescfDNActDNAmethylation assayPCRcolorectal cancerlaboratory

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0453U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that applies uniquely to the ColonAiQ® test from Breakthrough Genomics. The assay is performed on a blood plasma specimen containing cell–free DNA (cfDNA), including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) when present. The test uses a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect specific gene methylation pattern changes associated with colorectal cancer and reports the presence or absence of circulating tumor DNA.

Service type: Laboratory — cfDNA/ctDNA methylation PCR assay

Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or reference laboratory processing blood plasma specimens

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old adult with a history of colorectal adenomas and a recent unexplained positive fecal immunochemical test is evaluated in a gastroenterology clinic. The clinician orders the ColonAiQ® blood-based cfDNA methylation assay (0453U) to aid in noninvasive detection of colorectal cancer in a patient who prefers a blood test or who is at increased risk and is not immediately able to undergo colonoscopy. A phlebotomy draw of blood plasma is performed in an outpatient laboratory or hospital outpatient phlebotomy station. The specimen is processed and shipped to Breakthrough Genomics for the proprietary PCR-based methylation analysis. Results reported as presence or absence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are reviewed by the ordering gastroenterologist or oncologist; positive results may prompt expedited diagnostic colonoscopy and staging workup, while negative results contribute to shared decision-making around surveillance. Typical sites of service include outpatient laboratories, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers with lab services, and physician offices with phlebotomy capacity. The service type is a Proprietary Laboratory Analysis (PLA) molecular diagnostic test performed on a blood plasma sample for colorectal cancer detection.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting the physician or laboratorian professional interpretation component separately if facility bills technical component separately.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory processing and analysis) of the test.
`QK`	CLIA waived test performed in whole blood or plasma by a laboratory personnel	Use when applicable for specific laboratory operational coding; rarely used for PLA codes unless specified by payer guidance.
`QX`	CLIA waived test performed by a laboratory with a CLIA certificate of compliance	Use per payer instructions when specific CLIA-related modifier is required.
`QY`	CLIA waived test performed by a lab with a CLIA certificate of accreditation	Use per payer instructions when required for lab accreditation reporting.
`00`	No modifier — default	Use when no other modifier applies; report the PLA code without a service-specific modifier.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the test was started but not completed and a reduced service billing is appropriate per payer policy.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if specimen processing was initiated but the assay was discontinued for clinical reasons.
`59`	Data not provided in input	Data not available in the input.
`62`	Two surgeons	Not typically applicable to this lab test; included only where team billing affects related procedural services.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology	Ordering specialty commonly responsible for colorectal cancer evaluation and test ordering.
207RH0000X	Hematology/Oncology	Oncologists order ctDNA testing for cancer detection, surveillance, or staging.
208D00000X	Pathology & Laboratory Medicine	Laboratory directors and clinical pathologists oversee test validation and reporting.
363L00000X	Clinical Laboratory	Clinical laboratory specialists and diagnostic service providers perform specimen handling and testing.
207L00000X	Internal Medicine	Primary care physicians may order the test for screening triage or follow-up of abnormal stool tests.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Z12.11`	Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon	Standard screening encounter that may lead to ordering a blood-based colorectal cancer cfDNA test.
`R19.5`	Other fecal abnormalities	Abnormal stool findings prompting further noninvasive testing such as cfDNA assays.
`K50.912`	Crohn disease of unspecified site, without complications	Inflammatory bowel disease increases colorectal cancer risk and may prompt surveillance testing.
`K51.90`	Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications	Chronic colitis is an indication for intensified colorectal neoplasm surveillance including adjunctive molecular tests.
`Z85.038`	Personal history of malignant neoplasm of large intestine	Patients with prior colorectal cancer undergo surveillance where ctDNA testing can be used for recurrence detection.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80047`	Basic metabolic panel (BMP)	Performed concurrently in some pre-procedural evaluations; not specific to the PLA test but may be ordered during the same encounter.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Phlebotomy code for blood draw used to obtain the plasma specimen sent for the `0453U` assay.
`88360`	Molecular pathology; interpretation and report of amplified probe technique (e.g., PCR)	Related to professional interpretation of molecular assays; may be relevant if separate molecular interpretation is billed.
`81162`	Methylation analysis, specific gene region (example)	Example molecular test code for methylation analysis when PLA codes are not applicable; conceptually related to the methylation-targeting nature of `0453U`.
`G0452`	Colon cancer screening — high sensitivity fecal immunochemical test (FIT)	Clinical alternative or adjunct screening test; positive FIT may trigger ordering of `0453U` as a blood-based follow-up triage test.

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Summary & Overview

CPT 0453U: ColonAiQ® cfDNA/ctDNA Methylation PCR Assay

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare0453UCPTProprietary Laboratory AnalysescfDNActDNAmethylation assayPCRcolorectal cancerlaboratory

Billing Code Overview

Service type: Laboratory — cfDNA/ctDNA methylation PCR assay

Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or reference laboratory processing blood plasma specimens

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting the physician or laboratorian professional interpretation component separately if facility bills technical component separately.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (laboratory processing and analysis) of the test.
`QK`	CLIA waived test performed in whole blood or plasma by a laboratory personnel	Use when applicable for specific laboratory operational coding; rarely used for PLA codes unless specified by payer guidance.
`QX`	CLIA waived test performed by a laboratory with a CLIA certificate of compliance	Use per payer instructions when specific CLIA-related modifier is required.
`QY`	CLIA waived test performed by a lab with a CLIA certificate of accreditation	Use per payer instructions when required for lab accreditation reporting.
`00`	No modifier — default	Use when no other modifier applies; report the PLA code without a service-specific modifier.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the test was started but not completed and a reduced service billing is appropriate per payer policy.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if specimen processing was initiated but the assay was discontinued for clinical reasons.
`59`	Data not provided in input	Data not available in the input.
`62`	Two surgeons	Not typically applicable to this lab test; included only where team billing affects related procedural services.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology	Ordering specialty commonly responsible for colorectal cancer evaluation and test ordering.
207RH0000X	Hematology/Oncology	Oncologists order ctDNA testing for cancer detection, surveillance, or staging.
208D00000X	Pathology & Laboratory Medicine	Laboratory directors and clinical pathologists oversee test validation and reporting.
363L00000X	Clinical Laboratory	Clinical laboratory specialists and diagnostic service providers perform specimen handling and testing.
207L00000X	Internal Medicine	Primary care physicians may order the test for screening triage or follow-up of abnormal stool tests.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Z12.11`	Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon	Standard screening encounter that may lead to ordering a blood-based colorectal cancer cfDNA test.
`R19.5`	Other fecal abnormalities	Abnormal stool findings prompting further noninvasive testing such as cfDNA assays.
`K50.912`	Crohn disease of unspecified site, without complications	Inflammatory bowel disease increases colorectal cancer risk and may prompt surveillance testing.
`K51.90`	Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications	Chronic colitis is an indication for intensified colorectal neoplasm surveillance including adjunctive molecular tests.
`Z85.038`	Personal history of malignant neoplasm of large intestine	Patients with prior colorectal cancer undergo surveillance where ctDNA testing can be used for recurrence detection.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80047`	Basic metabolic panel (BMP)	Performed concurrently in some pre-procedural evaluations; not specific to the PLA test but may be ordered during the same encounter.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Phlebotomy code for blood draw used to obtain the plasma specimen sent for the `0453U` assay.
`88360`	Molecular pathology; interpretation and report of amplified probe technique (e.g., PCR)	Related to professional interpretation of molecular assays; may be relevant if separate molecular interpretation is billed.
`81162`	Methylation analysis, specific gene region (example)	Example molecular test code for methylation analysis when PLA codes are not applicable; conceptually related to the methylation-targeting nature of `0453U`.
`G0452`	Colon cancer screening — high sensitivity fecal immunochemical test (FIT)	Clinical alternative or adjunct screening test; positive FIT may trigger ordering of `0453U` as a blood-based follow-up triage test.