How To Use CPT Code 0206U

CPT 0206U describes a proprietary laboratory analysis (PLA) test called the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics. This article will cover the description, official details, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of CPT code 0206U.

1. What is CPT Code 0206U?

CPT 0206U can be used to identify Alzheimer’s disease through the Discern™ test, a proprietary laboratory analysis (PLA) test developed by NeuroDiagnostics. This test measures cell aggregation using morphometric imaging and protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCe) concentration in response to amylospheroid treatment by ELISA in cultured skin fibroblasts. The results of the test are reported as either positive or negative for Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 0206U is: ‘Neurology (Alzheimer disease); cell aggregation using morphometric imaging and protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCe) concentration in response to amylospheroid treatment by ELISA, cultured skin fibroblasts, each reported as positive or negative for Alzheimer disease.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst prepares a cultured skin sample by incubating it for several weeks to reach threshold volumes of more than 1,000,000 cells.
2. The cultured skin specimen is subjected to assay measurements for morphometric imaging and protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCe) biomarkers.
3. The morphometric imaging assay involves stimulating the cultured skin specimen with an extracellular matrix that forms networks in control and non-Alzheimer disease cells, but not in Alzheimer disease (AD) cells. The network formation is quantified to aid in the diagnosis of AD.
4. The PKCe biomarker is quantified using PKCe-specific antibodies to determine relative levels of PKCe in the cultured skin specimen, helping to differentiate between AD and non-AD dementia.
5. The cultured skin specimen is also treated with amylospheroid, an assembly of amyloid beta peptides that can induce death in functionally mature neurons and cause AD and dementia.
6. The changes in morphometric imaging and PKCe concentration in response to amylospheroid treatment are measured using ELISA.
7. The test results are reported as positive or negative for Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 0206U is used to detect Alzheimer’s disease and differentiate it from other dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia characterized by beta-amyloid plaques, tau protein tangles, brain inflammation, and damage to brain cells. Clinicians may order this test when there is suspicion of Alzheimer’s disease based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The test is performed on a skin specimen and requires a laboratory equipped to conduct the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics.

5. When to use CPT code 0206U

CPT code 0206U should be used when there is a clinical suspicion of Alzheimer’s disease and the clinician wants to confirm the diagnosis or differentiate it from other dementias. This test is specific to the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics and should not be reported using any other CPT code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 0206U, the documentation should include:

• Clinical indication for performing the test, including the suspicion of Alzheimer’s disease
• Details of the cultured skin specimen used for the test
• Specific measurements and results of the morphometric imaging and PKCe concentration
• Confirmation of positive or negative results for Alzheimer’s disease
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 0206U, ensure that the test is performed by NeuroDiagnostics using the Discern™ test. This code is a proprietary laboratory analysis (PLA) code and should not be reported using any other CPT code. Only report one unit of this code for a single specimen analyzed on a single date of service.

8. Historical information

CPT code 0206U, the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics, was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on October 1, 2020. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A clinician suspects Alzheimer’s disease in a patient presenting with memory loss and cognitive decline. They order the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics (CPT code 0206U) to confirm the diagnosis.
2. A patient with symptoms of dementia undergoes the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics (CPT code 0206U) to differentiate between Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
3. A neurologist orders the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics (CPT code 0206U) for a patient with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease to assess their risk.
4. A geriatrician utilizes the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics (CPT code 0206U) to monitor disease progression in a patient already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
5. A researcher includes the Discern™ test by NeuroDiagnostics (CPT code 0206U) as part of a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.