CPT code 82106 denotes a quantitative assay of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a prenatal laboratory test usually performed during the 11th to 15th week of gestation. This test helps assess fetal development and can contribute to the evaluation of neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, and other fetal conditions. Nationally, laboratory-based prenatal screening such as amniotic fluid AFP is a recognized component of obstetric diagnostic workflows and has implications for clinical decision-making and follow-up testing.

Key payers commonly engaged with this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage policies and prior authorization requirements vary by payer and plan type; clinicians and billing staff often consult payer-specific policies for laboratory and prenatal diagnostic services.

Readers will find clinical context for when this assay is used, the typical sites where the service is delivered, and what to expect in payer interactions. The publication also provides benchmarks and policy-focused updates relevant to laboratory prenatal testing, explains common billing considerations for this service line, and summarizes how this CPT code fits into prenatal diagnostic pathways. Data not available in the input includes specific payer coverage rules, associated ICD-10 diagnoses, and related CPT or ancillary codes.