Summary & Overview
CPT 0573U: PanCystPro™ Pancreatic Cyst Biomarker Panel
CPT code 0573U designates Amplified Sciences PanCystPro™, a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) test that evaluates pancreatic cyst fluid for glucose, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and gastricsin and applies an algorithm to classify cysts as mucinous or nonmucinous. As a PLA code, 0573U is tied to a single manufacturer's proprietary test and is used to report that specific laboratory service. This test matters nationally because pancreatic cyst characterization can influence surveillance and management strategies, and algorithm-driven biomarker panels represent a growing area of diagnostic innovation.
Key payers included in the discussion are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code's clinical purpose and service setting, plus context on payer coverage trends and typical billing considerations for proprietary laboratory tests. The publication summarizes benchmarking and reimbursement context where available, explains clinical relevance for pancreatic cyst evaluation, and flags policy developments relevant to PLA codes and laboratory reimbursement. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0573U is a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code that applies only to a single, specific laboratory test: Amplified Sciences PanCystPro™ from Amplified Sciences Inc. The test analyzes a fluid sample from a pancreatic cyst to measure three biomarkers — glucose, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and gastricsin — and uses an algorithm to classify the cyst as mucinous or nonmucinous.
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test (proprietary biomarker panel with algorithmic interpretation)
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital outpatient laboratory using pancreatic cyst fluid collected during endoscopic or image-guided procedures
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient with incidentally detected pancreatic cystic lesion on abdominal imaging is referred to a gastroenterologist for evaluation. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with cyst fluid aspiration is performed to obtain fluid for diagnostic testing. The aspirated fluid is sent to the laboratory for the proprietary panel 0573U (Amplified Sciences PanCystPro™) which measures glucose, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and gastricsin and applies an algorithm to classify the cyst as mucinous versus nonmucinous. Results are used alongside cytology, imaging characteristics, and clinical factors to guide surveillance versus therapeutic decisions. Typical site of service is an outpatient endoscopy or ambulatory surgical center where EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration is performed; the laboratory analysis occurs in a reference or proprietary lab affiliated with the test manufacturer.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | When reporting increased complexity or work for the laboratory or specimen handling beyond typical processing for 0573U (supporting documentation required). |
52 | Reduced services | When the laboratory test is partially performed or truncated such that full testing algorithm cannot be completed.