CPT 81371 HLA Typing Reimbursement & Policy | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 81371: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1 Low/Intermediate Resolution Typing

CPT code 81371 identifies a molecular laboratory procedure for low- or intermediate-resolution typing of human leukocyte antigen genes at Class I loci HLA–A and HLA–B and Class II locus HLA–DRB1. This HLA panel is used in clinical contexts where matching for transplantation, donor selection, disease association studies, or immune-risk assessment is needed. Nationally, standardized reporting of HLA results and correct coding of molecular diagnostics are important for claims consistency, lab reimbursement, and clinical decision support.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical purpose and technical scope of the test, typical sites of service, and payer coverage considerations. The publication summarizes coding context, common modifiers associated with laboratory services, and what to expect in payer interactions. It also provides benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns where available and highlights recent policy updates relevant to molecular HLA testing.

This summary is intended for laboratory billing staff, coding professionals, and clinical teams seeking a clear, national-level briefing on CPT code 81371.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 81371HLA typingmolecular pathologylaboratory medicinetransplant compatibilitygenetic testingclinical diagnosticsHLA-AHLA-BHLA-DRB1

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 81371 describes a molecular laboratory test for low- or intermediate-resolution assessment of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. The test analyzes Class I loci HLA–A and HLA–B, and Class II locus HLA–DRB1 using molecular techniques performed by a laboratory analyst.

Service type: Molecular pathology / HLA typing (technical laboratory component)

Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or molecular diagnostics laboratory (ambulatory or hospital-based laboratory setting)

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 35-year-old adult with end-stage renal disease is undergoing evaluation for kidney transplantation. The transplant center orders HLA typing to assess donor–recipient compatibility. A peripheral blood sample is collected in the outpatient phlebotomy clinic and sent to the molecular diagnostics laboratory. The laboratory technologist performs 81371 to determine low- or intermediate-resolution HLA typing for Class I loci HLA-A and HLA-B and Class II locus HLA-DRB1. Results are reported to the transplant team and entered into the organ allocation record to guide donor selection, crossmatch interpretation, and immunologic risk assessment. Typical sites of service include outpatient phlebotomy clinics, hospital laboratory services, reference molecular diagnostic laboratories, and transplant center labs. The patient encounter typically involves pre-transplant evaluation, donor workup, or compatibility assessment for living or deceased donor organ transplantation.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional interpretation component separate from the technical lab processing when applicable.

CPT 81373: HLA Class I Low/Intermediate Resolution Molecular Test

CPT-81379-HLA-CLASS-I-HIGH-RESOLUTION-TYPING

CPT 81379: High-Resolution HLA Class I Typing

CPT-81377-HLA-CLASS-II-ALLELE-GROUP-TYPING-LOW-INTERMEDIATE-RESOLUTION

CPT 81377: HLA Class II Allele Group Typing, Low/Intermediate Resolution

CPT-81380-HLA-HIGH-RESOLUTION-CLASS-I-TYPING

CPT 81380: High-Resolution HLA Class I Molecular Typing

CPT-81383-HIGH-RESOLUTION-HLA-CLASS-II-ALLELE-TESTING

CPT 81383: High-Resolution HLA Class II Allele Technical Test

CPT-81382-HLA-HIGH-RESOLUTION-CLASS-II-TECHNICAL

CPT 81382: HLA High-Resolution Molecular Typing, One Class II Locus

CPT-81376-HLA-CLASS-II-TYPING-LOW-INTERMEDIATE-RESOLUTION-TECHNICAL

CPT 81376: HLA Class II Typing, Low/Intermediate-Resolution Technical

CPT-81372-HLA-CLASS-I-LOW-INTERMEDIATE-RESOLUTION-TYPING

CPT 81372: HLA Class I Low/Intermediate-Resolution Molecular Typing

CPT-81378-HLA-HIGH-RESOLUTION-MOLECULAR-TYPING-CLASS-I-II-DRB1

CPT 81378: High-Resolution HLA Class I and II Molecular Typing

CPT-81375-HLA-CLASS-II-LOW-INTERMEDIATE-RESOLUTION-TYPING

CPT 81375: HLA Class II Low/Intermediate-Resolution Molecular Typing

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Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RG0300X	Clinical Molecular Genetics Laboratory	Laboratories and laboratory directors overseeing molecular HLA testing.
207P00000X	Pathology	Pathologists who direct or interpret molecular immunogenetics tests.
2085P0800X	Immunology	Clinical immunologists involved in transplant immunology consults and interpretation.
207L00000X	Clinical Laboratory	Clinical laboratory technologists and managers responsible for test performance.
363L00000X	Transplant Coordinator	Transplant program staff coordinating specimen collection and reporting.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Z94.0`	Kidney transplant status	Indicates the patient is a kidney transplant recipient or candidate; HLA typing guides donor selection and post-transplant management.
`Z48.2`	Encounter for aftercare following organ transplant	Post-transplant immunologic monitoring and compatibility assessments may involve HLA testing.
`N18.6`	End stage renal disease	Common indication for kidney transplant evaluation requiring HLA compatibility testing.
`Z48.21`	Encounter for aftercare following kidney transplant	Specific post-kidney transplant follow-up where HLA results inform care.
`T86.10`	Unspecified complication of kidney transplant	HLA testing may be used in evaluation of rejection or alloimmune complications.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88305`	Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	May be performed on donor tissue biopsies in transplant evaluation alongside HLA typing for histologic assessment.
`86830`	Crossmatch; major and minor (laboratory procedure)	Performed to detect recipient antibodies reactive to donor cells; often used after HLA typing to confirm compatibility.
`81479`	Unlisted molecular pathology procedure	Used for reporting molecular tests not otherwise specified when additional or specialized HLA assays are required beyond `81371`.
`88262`	HLA typing by serologic methods (if still used)	Older methodology for HLA antigen typing; may be performed historically or in parallel in some centers.
`81375`	HLA typing, extended or high resolution (molecular)	Performed when higher-resolution HLA typing is needed for donor–recipient matching or in stem cell transplantation contexts.

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