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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMultianalyte Assays with Algorithmic AnalysesCPT cpt-81490-ra-disease-activity-score-serum-biomarker-panel
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    CPT 81490: Serum Biomarker Panel and RA Disease Activity Score

    CPT code 81490 describes a laboratory service in which a lab analyst performs technical testing of 12 serum biomarker immunoassays and applies an algorithmic analysis using patient data and test results to generate a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity score; the service type is laboratory diagnostic testing with algorithmic reporting, and the typical site of service is a clinical laboratory or reference lab where blood-based immunoassays and software-based score calculation are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old woman with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents for routine disease activity monitoring at a rheumatology clinic. Her treating rheumatologist orders an algorithm-based serum biomarker panel to quantify disease activity and guide therapy decisions. Blood is drawn in the outpatient clinic or an affiliated phlebotomy center and sent to the performing laboratory. The lab analyst runs 12 serum biomarker immunoassays, performs the algorithmic analysis combining biomarker results with relevant patient data (such as age, sex, disease duration, and current medications), and reports a composite disease activity score to the ordering clinician. Typical workflow steps: clinician orders test and documents indication in the electronic health record, patient specimen collected and shipped to the reference lab, lab performs analytic assays and algorithmic computation, lab issues a report with the disease activity score and interpretive comment, and the clinician incorporates the score into the treatment plan during follow-up or medication adjustment visits. Typical sites of service include outpatient rheumatology clinics, hospital outpatient labs, and commercial reference laboratories. Typical patient scenario: established RA on disease-modifying therapy undergoing objective monitoring for treatment response or flare assessment.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)Often ordered at the same visit to assess baseline metabolic status prior to therapy adjustments; complements biomarker testing.
    85025Complete blood count (CBC) with automated differentialCommonly ordered alongside RA monitoring to evaluate cytopenias from disease-modifying therapies.
    87210Culture, bacterial, any source; presumptive identificationNot routinely associated but may be ordered if infection is suspected as a confounder of disease activity.
    88342Immunohistochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stainRarely related; included when tissue-based immunologic assessments are needed in differential diagnosis.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimenUsed by reference labs when special handling or shipping is billed separately.
    81479Unlisted molecular pathology procedureOccasionally used for reporting non-standard or proprietary algorithmic analyses when no specific code applies; labs may use this for ancillary algorithm work when necessary.

    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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
    207L00000X
    207LP2900X
    207RC0000X
    208000000X
    213ES0103X
    261QM1103X
    261QP2000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-81493-CORONARY-ARTERY-DISEASE-23-GENE-RT-PCR-RISK-SCORE

    CPT 81493: 23-Gene RT-PCR Molecular Test With CAD Risk Score

    CPT-81500-CA125-HE4-ALGORITHMIC-RISK-SCORE

    CPT 81500: Algorithmic Risk Score Using CA-125 and HE4

    CPT-81503-ALGORITHMIC-LAB-RISK-SCORE-CA125-APOLIPOPROTEIN-A1

    CPT 81503: Algorithmic Risk Score from Multiple Lab Markers

    CPT-81504-TUMOR-ORIGIN-RNA-EXPRESSION-CLASSIFIER

    CPT 81504: Tumor RNA Expression Profile Comparison

    CPT-81506-DIABETES-BIOMARKER-PANEL-WITH-RISK-SCORE

    CPT 81506: Diabetes Risk Score from Biochemical Assays

    CPT-81507-NIPS-CELL-FREE-DNA-TRISOMY-RISK-ANALYSIS

    CPT 81507: Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Trisomies 13, 18, 21

    CPT-81508-PAPP-A-HCG-ALGORITHMIC-RISK-ASSAY

    CPT 81508: First-Trimester PAPP-A and hCG Risk Score

    CPT-81509-LAB-ALGORITHMIC-RISK-ASSESSMENT-PAPP-A-HCG-DIA

    CPT 81509: Prenatal Biochemical Risk Score from PAPP–A, hCG, DIA

    CPT-81510-PRENATAL-TRIPLE-MARKER-ALGORITHMIC-RISK-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 81510: Prenatal Serum Screening with Algorithmic Risk Score

    CPT-81511-MULTIANALYTE-SERUM-SCREENING-ALGORITHMIC-RISK-SCORE

    CPT 81511: Maternal Serum Quadruple Marker Risk Score

    Showing 1–10 of 41

    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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