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CPT 86301: Quantitative CA 19-9 Tumor Marker Assay
CPT code 86301 designates a quantitative laboratory assay for the CA 19-9 tumor antigen, a biomarker commonly used in the evaluation and monitoring of pancreatic cancer. As a laboratory service, this code is relevant across hospital and independent clinical laboratory settings and is used in diagnostic workups, treatment monitoring, and surveillance for disease progression or recurrence. Nationally, CA 19-9 testing is an established component of oncology care pathways where tumor marker trends inform clinical decision-making.
Key payers in the national analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and typical sites of service, plus operational details for billing and common modifier usage. The publication summarizes benchmark considerations for reimbursement and utilization, highlights pertinent policy updates affecting laboratory billing, and situates CPT code 86301 within broader laboratory service lines.
This summary is intended to inform stakeholders about the clinical role of the test, payer coverage landscape, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy points covered in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where relevant in detailed sections.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 86301 reports a quantitative laboratory test measuring the tumor-associated antigen CA 19-9 in a patient’s serum or body fluid. The assay is used as a tumor marker for pancreatic cancer, typically performed by a clinical laboratory analyst.
Service Type: Clinical laboratory quantitative tumor marker assay
Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory (outpatient or inpatient blood/body fluid draw and lab testing)