CPT 81449: Solid Organ Tumor RNA Panel (5–50 genes)
Commercial payers pay $560 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 81449 describes a genomic sequencing panel performed by a laboratory analyst to evaluate a solid organ tumor specimen for RNA alterations across 5 to 50 genes associated with solid organ cancers, representing a molecular diagnostic service typically delivered as a laboratory pathology test on tumor tissue or other appropriate specimen in an inpatient or outpatient laboratory/pathology setting.
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National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National commercial reimbursement for CPT 81449 centers on a BUCA average commercial rate of $560.00, with individual payers showing substantial variation around that midpoint. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Cigna display the highest upper tails, with BCBS max at $2,015.10 and Cigna max at $1,780.90, while Aetna and UnitedHealth Group have lower maximums. Median rates cluster near the BUCA average for some payers but differ meaningfully across insurers, highlighting that commercial payments for this genetic test are uneven across the market.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75–P25) is widest for Blue Cross Blue Shield at $252.20, followed by Cigna at $393.50 and BUCA at $313.90; Aetna is the tightest among named payers with an IQR of $142.70, and UnitedHealth Group shows a moderate IQR of $345.80. These differences indicate BCBS and Cigna have the broadest middle-50% spread in allowed amounts, while Aetna’s middle distribution is comparatively concentrated.