Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 81400: Technical Molecular Pathology Laboratory Procedure
Headline: CPT code 81400 defines a technical molecular pathology laboratory procedure for Tier 2, Level 1 genetic analyses.
Lead: CPT code 81400 represents the technical component of a molecular diagnostic test in which the laboratory analyst conducts the laboratory procedures needed to produce genetic test results. This code is central to billing for molecular pathology workflows where the technical processing is reported separately from professional interpretation.
What it represents and why it matters: CPT code 81400 captures the technical laboratory work involved in targeted genetic analyses. As molecular diagnostics expand across clinical specialties, clear coding for technical services supports accurate billing, workflow separation between technical and professional components, and appropriate claims processing at a national level.
Key payers covered: This publication covers national payer handling and policy context for Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
What readers will learn: The report summarizes the clinical context for Tier 2, Level 1 molecular pathology testing, clarifies service and site expectations for the technical component, and provides payer-specific coverage framing and benchmarking where available. Readers will find concise guidance on code relationships within the molecular pathology series and context for common clinical indications supporting use of this code.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 81400 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 81400 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 81400 describes a technical laboratory procedure in molecular pathology: the lab analyst performs the technical steps required to complete one of the specific genetic analyses listed in this Tier 2, Level 1 molecular pathology code. The service type is molecular diagnostic laboratory testing focused on single-target or limited-target genetic analyses. The typical site of service is a clinical or anatomic pathology laboratory where technical processing and testing are performed.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National commercial reimbursement for CPT 81400 centers around BUCA’s average commercial rate of $60.6, with major carriers showing notable variation from that midpoint. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Cigna exhibit higher mean rates ($66.7 and $67.5 respectively) and sizeable upper tails, while Aetna and UnitedHealth Group sit lower on average ($45.1 and $51.0). Blue Cross Blue Shield has the highest single observed rate ($181.3) and Cigna the next highest ($193.5), indicating outliers above BUCA’s average.
Dispersion measured as P75–P25 highlights which payers are tightest or widest: Blue Cross Blue Shield’s interquartile spread is $28.1 ($76.4−$46.3), Cigna’s spread is $58.0 ($91.9−$32.9), UnitedHealth Group’s spread is $37.1 ($64.0−$26.9), Aetna’s spread is $34.8 ($62.0−$27.2), and BUCA’s spread is $38.9 ($74.5−$37.6). Cigna shows the widest IQR and thus the greatest middle-range variability, while BCBS presents the tightest middle distribution.