How To Use CPT Code 0319U

CPT 0319U describes a proprietary laboratory analysis (PLA) test used in nephrology for renal transplant patients. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples.

1. What is CPT Code 0319U?

CPT 0319U is a unique code that represents a specific laboratory test used in nephrology for renal transplant patients. This test, known as Clarava™ from Verici Dx Inc., utilizes next-generation sequencing (NGS) of specific parts of the transcriptome to evaluate gene expression related to immune response. The test analyzes a patient’s pretransplant peripheral blood specimen and generates a risk score for early acute rejection of the transplanted kidney.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 0319U is: ‘Nephrology (renal transplant), RNA expression by select transcriptome sequencing, using pretransplant peripheral blood, algorithm reported as a risk score for early acute rejection.’

3. Procedure

1. The laboratory analyst collects a blood specimen from the patient prior to kidney transplant.
2. The specimen undergoes next-generation sequencing (NGS) of specific parts of the transcriptome to evaluate gene expression related to immune response.
3. An algorithmic analysis is performed on the findings to generate a risk score for early acute transplant rejection.
4. The risk score is reported to the clinician, providing valuable information for pre-transplant prognosis and risk assessment for graft loss.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT code 0319U is applicable for patients undergoing renal transplant who require pre-transplant prognosis and risk assessment for early acute rejection. This test is specific to Clarava™ from Verici Dx Inc. and should only be reported when this proprietary test is used.

5. When to use CPT code 0319U

CPT code 0319U should be used when evaluating gene expression related to immune response in renal transplant patients using the Clarava™ test. It is important to note that this code is only applicable for pre-transplant testing and should not be used for post-transplant evaluation (which has a separate code, CPT 0320U).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 0319U, the following documentation is required:

• Identification of the patient as a renal transplant candidate
• Date of the blood specimen collection
• Details of the specific parts of the transcriptome analyzed
• Description of the algorithmic analysis performed
• Reported risk score for early acute transplant rejection
• Signature of the laboratory analyst

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 0319U, ensure that the test is performed using the Clarava™ from Verici Dx Inc. and that the documentation requirements are met. It is important to report only one unit of this code for a single specimen analyzed on a single date of service. Some payers may separately reimburse for specimen collection.

8. Historical information

CPT code 0319U was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on April 1, 2022. As a relatively new code, there have been no updates or changes since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A renal transplant patient undergoes the Clarava™ test using CPT code 0319U to assess their risk of early acute transplant rejection.
2. A nephrologist orders CPT code 0319U for a pre-transplant workup, utilizing the Clarava™ test to evaluate gene expression related to immune response in a renal transplant candidate.
3. A laboratory analyst performs the Clarava™ test using CPT code 0319U on a pretransplant peripheral blood specimen, generating a risk score for early acute rejection in a renal transplant patient.
4. A clinician receives the reported risk score for early acute transplant rejection from the Clarava™ test, aiding in the pre-transplant prognosis and risk assessment for graft loss.
5. A renal transplant patient’s pretransplant peripheral blood specimen is analyzed using CPT code 0319U, providing valuable information on gene expression related to immune response and the risk of early acute rejection.
6. A nephrology team utilizes CPT code 0319U to assess the risk of early acute transplant rejection in a renal transplant candidate, based on the results of the Clarava™ test.
7. The Clarava™ test, billed under CPT code 0319U, helps determine the risk of early acute rejection in a renal transplant patient, aiding in the decision-making process for transplantation.
8. A laboratory technician performs the Clarava™ test using CPT code 0319U on a pretransplant peripheral blood specimen, providing a risk score for early acute transplant rejection in a renal transplant candidate.
9. CPT code 0319U is used to bill for the Clarava™ test, which evaluates gene expression related to immune response and provides a risk score for early acute rejection in renal transplant patients.
10. A nephrologist orders CPT code 0319U for a renal transplant patient, utilizing the Clarava™ test to assess the risk of early acute transplant rejection based on gene expression analysis.