Summary & Overview
CPT 0560U: Haystack MRD™ Baseline Genomic Variant Panel
CPT code 0560U designates the Haystack MRD™ Baseline test from Quest Diagnostics®, a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code for a personalized genomic sequencing panel derived from tumor tissue and whole blood. The assay establishes a patient-specific variant panel to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and to serve as a baseline for serial MRD monitoring. Nationally, PLA codes like 0560U matter because they identify single-source, manufacturer- or lab-specific tests that can have distinct coverage and pricing considerations compared with nonproprietary assays.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. The report outlines which payers are evaluated and summarizes common coverage considerations for proprietary MRD assays.
Readers will learn the clinical purpose of the test, typical sites of service, and the context in which 0560U is reported. The publication provides benchmarks and policy-relevant information about proprietary genomic MRD testing, including payer coverage patterns, documentation expectations, and coding practice considerations. Data not available in the input will be identified as such in the detailed sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0560U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that applies exclusively to the Haystack MRD™ Baseline test from Quest Diagnostics®. The test uses genomic sequence analysis of tumor tissue and whole blood to create a personalized variant panel that serves as a baseline for future minimal residual disease (MRD) assessments. The panel is designed to detect small amounts of cancer cells remaining after treatment by identifying patient-specific variants.
Service Type: Proprietary laboratory genomic sequencing for MRD baseline panel
Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or reference diagnostic laboratory (Quest Diagnostics® testing facilities)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric oncology patient who has completed definitive therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy) for a solid tumor or hematologic malignancy and requires a personalized baseline for future minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. The treating oncologist at an outpatient cancer center orders Haystack MRD™ Baseline to create a tumor-informed variant panel by combining genomic sequencing of available tumor tissue and matched whole blood. The specimen workflow includes: tumor tissue retrieval (archival fixed tissue or fresh biopsy) and a peripheral whole-blood draw; specimens are sent to Quest Diagnostics®; the laboratory performs genomic sequence analysis to identify tumor-specific variants and constructs a personalized assay for serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) MRD surveillance. Typical sites of service include outpatient oncology clinics, hospital outpatient departments, and specialized molecular diagnostic laboratories. Results are used by the oncology care team to establish a individualized MRD baseline for subsequent surveillance testing and to inform clinical discussions about recurrence risk and surveillance intervals.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default/No modifier | Used when no additional circumstances apply to the service. |
22 |