Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 81445: Solid Tumor Genomic Sequence Panel, 5–50 Genes
CPT code 81445 denotes a targeted genomic sequence analysis panel for solid organ tumors that evaluates DNA and, when applicable, RNA alterations across five to fifty genes. This test supports tumor characterization, identification of actionable genomic variants, and selection of targeted therapies or clinical trial eligibility. Nationally, such panels are integral to precision oncology workflows and increasingly influence diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making across oncology practices and laboratory networks.
Key payers assessed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Coverage and coding practices for tumor genomic panels vary by payer and can affect test utilization, prior authorization requirements, and reimbursement pathways. Readers will find an overview of coverage trends across major payers, comparisons to related codes used in similar clinical contexts, and clinical context linking the panel size (5–50 genes) to common oncology use cases. The publication also highlights administrative considerations such as typical sites of service and how this panel fits into broader molecular diagnostic workflows.
The analysis is designed to help billing staff, laboratory administrators, and oncology practice managers understand where CPT code 81445 fits in existing coding frameworks, how it relates to adjacent codes for larger or proprietary panels, and which clinical scenarios commonly prompt ordering of this panel.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 81445 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 81445 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 81445 describes a genomic sequence analysis panel performed on a patient tumor specimen to evaluate DNA and, when applicable, RNA alterations across five to fifty genes known to impact solid organ cancers. The analysis is a molecular diagnostic pathology service that generates targeted genomic information used for tumor characterization, potential therapeutic targeting, and prognostic assessment.
Service type: Genomic sequence analysis (tumor panel)
Typical site of service: Clinical molecular pathology laboratory or hospital-based laboratory with molecular oncology testing capabilities
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
BUCA (average commercial) sits near a mean of $642.70 with a median of $540.20, framing the commercial market for CPT 81445 as moderate-to-high. Among the named payers, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield show higher central tendencies (Cigna mean $752.60; BCBS median $597.00) while UnitedHealth Group and Aetna present lower medians ($320.10 and $478.00, respectively), creating a multi-modal distribution across commercial contracts.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75 minus P25) is widest for Cigna at $581.20 (P75 $872.30 minus P25 $319.10) and BCBS at $422.30 (P75 $711.60 minus P25 $469.30), indicating greater variability in negotiated commercial rates. UnitedHealth Group is the tightest at $335.20 (P75 $587.30 minus P25 $251.10), with Aetna intermediate at $380.70 (P75 $633.70 minus P25 $325.00); BUCA’s interquartile span is $304.60 (P75 $705.70 minus P25 $396.10), reflecting relatively concentrated commercial pricing around its median.