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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesGenetic Analysis ProceduresCPT cpt-81208-bcr-abl1-atypical-breakpoint-molecular-test
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    CPT 81208: BCR/ABL1 Fusion Gene Testing, Non‑standard Breakpoints

    CPT code 81208 describes laboratory testing for BCR/ABL1 gene fusion variants on chromosome 22 occurring at non‑major/non‑minor breakpoints; the assay can be qualitative (detects presence of atypical BCR/ABL1 fusion transcripts) or quantitative (measures amount of each fusion transcript) and is a molecular pathology service typically performed as a clinical molecular diagnostic test in a specialty molecular laboratory or hospital molecular diagnostics laboratory (clinical laboratory setting).

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Testing for Cancer, Biomarker Testing Mandate, Prenatal (Fetal) Diagnostic Testing.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 54-year-old patient with suspected chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) presents to a hematology clinic after routine blood work shows leukocytosis and a peripheral smear suspicious for a myeloproliferative disorder. The hematologist orders molecular testing for BCR-ABL1 fusion variants. A peripheral blood sample is collected in EDTA and sent to a molecular diagnostics laboratory. In the lab, a molecular technologist performs a targeted assay to detect BCR-ABL1 gene fusions occurring at breakpoints other than the classic major (p210) and minor (p190) breakpoints; the assay may be qualitative to identify presence of atypical fusion transcripts or quantitative to measure transcript burden for monitoring minimal residual disease. Results are reported to the ordering clinician to guide diagnosis, risk stratification, and targeted therapy decisions. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent clinical reference laboratories, and academic medical center molecular pathology laboratories. Turnaround time varies from same-day to several days depending on method (RT-PCR or sequencing) and whether reflex testing is required.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81206BCR (ABL1) major and minor breakpoint fusion analysis (qualitative or quantitative)Commonly performed alongside or as initial testing to detect major (p210) and minor (p190) BCR-ABL1 transcripts; 81208 covers other, less common breakpoints.
    88363Immunohistochemistry, per site, for detection of specific antigens (laboratory procedure)May be used on tissue samples in parallel diagnostic workflows but not a molecular fusion assay; supports morphologic correlation.
    81275NTRK1/2/3 gene fusion analysis, by sequencing or other methodsExample of other fusion gene testing performed in molecular labs; demonstrates similar workflow and billing grouping for fusion assays.
    81479Unlisted molecular pathology procedureUsed when a specific fusion assay lacks an exact CPT; may be used for novel or specialized testing if no discrete code applies.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    207P00000X
    363L00000X
    208000000X
    207K00000X
    282NC0060X
    2083P0011X
    363LX0106X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Testing for Cancerregence2027-01-01
    Biomarker Testing MandateBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Prenatal (Fetal) Diagnostic TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    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
    Polygenic Risk ScoreBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-12-01
    Gene Expression Profiling for Cutaneous MelanomaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-12-01
    Genetic Testing for Macular Degenerationregence2026-11-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Ohio Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-81105-HPA-1-PLATELET-ANTIGEN-1-GENOTYPING-ITGB3-CD61

    CPT 81105: HPA-1 (ITGB3/CD61) Genotyping, Technical Component

    CPT-81106-HPA-2-T145M-GENETIC-ALLELE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 81106: HPA-2 (T145M) Platelet Antigen Genotyping

    CPT-81107-HPA-3-GENETIC-ANALYSIS-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

    CPT 81107: HPA‑3 (I843S) Platelet Antigen Genotyping

    CPT-81108-HPA-4-R143Q-GENOTYPING

    CPT 81108: HPA-4 (R143Q) Genotyping

    CPT-81109-HPA-5-K505E-GENETIC-ANALYSIS

    CPT 81109: HPA-5 (K505E) Genotyping Test

    CPT-81110-HPA-6-R489Q-GENOTYPING

    CPT 81110: HPA-6 (R489Q) Genotyping, Technical Component

    CPT-81111-HPA-9-V837M-ALLELE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 81111: HPA-9 (V837M) Genotyping, Technical Test

    CPT-81112-HPA-15-GENETIC-ANALYSIS-S682Y

    CPT 81112: HPA-15 (S682Y) Platelet Antigen Genotyping

    CPT-81120-IDH1-MOLECULAR-DIAGNOSTIC-TEST

    CPT 81120: IDH1 Mutation Detection, Technical Component

    CPT-81121-IDH2-MOLECULAR-DIAGNOSTIC-TEST

    CPT 81121: IDH2 Mutation Detection, Technical Component

    Showing 1–10 of 199

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    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.
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