Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProprietary Laboratory AnalysesCPT cpt-0493u-donor-derived-cell-free-dna-prospera-natera
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 0493U: Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Test (Prospera™)

    CPT code 0493U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that specifically reports the Prospera™ test from Natera™, a next-generation sequencing assay that quantifies donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in plasma to monitor organ transplant health; service type is laboratory diagnostic testing and the typical site of service is an outpatient phlebotomy or reference laboratory where plasma cell-free DNA is analyzed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 0493U policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 0493U are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

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

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old kidney transplant recipient presents for routine post-transplant surveillance. The transplant team orders Prospera™ (0493U) to quantify donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in the patient’s plasma using next-generation sequencing. A phlebotomy appointment at an outpatient laboratory or hospital outpatient phlebotomy draws a blood sample into specialized tubes, which is shipped to Natera’s laboratory under chain-of-custody and temperature control. Results reporting provides a percentage of dd-cfDNA; an elevated percentage prompts correlation with clinical assessment, serum creatinine, proteinuria, viral testing, and possible biopsy to evaluate for allograft rejection or injury. Typical workflow participants include the transplant nephrologist or transplant surgeon ordering the test, outpatient clinic staff scheduling phlebotomy, a certified phlebotomist collecting the specimen at an outpatient lab or hospital outpatient department, courier services for specimen transport, and Natera laboratory personnel performing the Proprietary Laboratory Analysis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureRoutine specimen collection method used to obtain plasma for the dd-cfDNA assay prior to sending to the reference lab.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from patient to lab (use when applicable by payer rules)Used when additional specimen handling or special courier services are billed separately under payer-specific policies.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination (single organ)May be performed if elevated dd-cfDNA prompts biopsy of the allograft and tissue evaluation is required.
    93975Duplex scan of renal transplant (arterial and venous)Imaging study that can be ordered alongside dd-cfDNA testing when evaluating graft dysfunction.
    36416Collection of capillary blood specimen (eg, finger, heel, ear stick)Alternative collection method in select settings; less common for dd-cfDNA which typically uses venous draws.
    80305Drug test, presumptive, any number of drug classes; method by immunoassay with instrumented drug toxicology confirmationAn example of ancillary laboratory testing that may be ordered concurrently to evaluate causes of allograft dysfunction or medication adherence.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 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…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    55Modifier –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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    363A00000X
    207Q00000X
    363L00000X
    261QR0200X
    175M00000X
    2083A0300X
    2085D0003X
    163WF0300X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A18.89Tuberculosis of other sites
    B37.9Candidiasis, unspecified
    D47.Z2Castleman disease
    I12.9Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
    I50.9Heart failure, unspecified
    J84.10Pulmonary fibrosis, unspecified
    K74.60Unspecified cirrhosis of liver
    N18.5Chronic kidney disease, stage 5
    N18.6End stage renal disease
    R65.21Severe sepsis with septic shock

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Oral Cancer Screening and TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyOscar Health2027-01-01
    Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-0001U-PRECISETYPE-HEA-MULTIPLEX-RBC-ANTIGEN-GENOTYPING

    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

    • More pages

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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.

    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.