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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMultianalyte Assays with Algorithmic AnalysesCPT cpt-81508-papp-a-hcg-algorithmic-risk-assay
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    CPT 81508: First-Trimester PAPP-A and hCG Risk Score

    CPT code 81508 describes a laboratory service in which the lab performs technical assays for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and applies an algorithm combining those measured protein values with patient data to generate a first-trimester aneuploidy risk score; service type: laboratory molecular/biomarker testing with algorithmic analysis, typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory (laboratory testing with reportable risk score).

    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 12-week pregnant patient presents for first-trimester aneuploidy screening. The clinician orders maternal serum biochemical testing for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP‑A) and free ß‑human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as part of a combined screening algorithm incorporating maternal age, gestational age, and ultrasound findings (nuchal translucency if available). A phlebotomy technician collects a maternal blood specimen at an outpatient laboratory or hospital outpatient drawing station. The specimen is routed to a reference laboratory where a clinical lab analyst performs the immunoassays for PAPP-A and hCG, validates assay performance, and enters patient demographic and clinical data into the lab information system. The laboratory information system applies a validated algorithm to integrate analyte concentrations with maternal age and gestational age to generate a patient-specific risk score for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. The laboratory issues a structured report to the ordering obstetric clinician and uploads results to the electronic medical record. Typical sites of service include outpatient hospital laboratories, independent reference laboratories, and large ambulatory clinic laboratories. The service type is clinical laboratory testing with algorithmic risk calculation performed by the lab technical staff and reported as a combined biochemical screening result represented by CPT 81508.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81025Urinalysis; automated dipstickPerformed at the clinic visit for routine prenatal screening; not directly related but commonly ordered during obstetric visits.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipuncturePhlebotomy code representing specimen collection required prior to the laboratory performing CPT 81508.
    76811Ultrasonic, pregnant uterus, real time with image documentation, fetal nuchal translucency measurementPerformed in first-trimester combined screening; nuchal translucency measurement is often integrated with CPT 81508 results for final risk assessment.
    88360Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stainRepresents lab immunoassay methodologies conceptually similar to analyte testing though not used for PAPP-A/hCG specific immunoassays; included for workflow context.
    89250Routine cytogenetic analysis, prenatal sampleUsed when abnormal screening results from CPT 81508 prompt diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis with cytogenetic analysis.

    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208000000X
    207L00000X
    363A00000X
    3336C0004X
    2278P1004X
    133VN1101X
    231H00000X

    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-81490-RA-DISEASE-ACTIVITY-SCORE-SERUM-BIOMARKER-PANEL

    CPT 81490: Serum Biomarker Panel and RA Disease Activity Score

    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-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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