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The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is a critical component of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which plays a vital role in the immune system's ability to recognize self from non-self. This system is essential for the identification of specific characteristics of an individual's cells and tissues, thereby enabling the body to defend against foreign substances, including microorganisms and non-self cells. The HLA system is located on the short arm of chromosome 6 and is divided into two main classes: Class I and Class II. HLA Class II is particularly important for initiating immune responses and consists of five loci: DR, DQ, DP, DM, and DO, with DR, DQ, and DP being the most clinically significant. Each locus can have multiple variants known as alleles, which are designated by the locus name followed by an asterisk (*) and a series of digits that provide specific information about the allele. For example, DRB1*15 indicates a specific allele within the DRB1 locus. The process of HLA Class II typing at low resolution involves identifying antigen equivalents, which is crucial for various clinical applications, including organ transplantation and disease association studies. Molecular methods for HLA typing typically require cell lysis and protein digestion to extract DNA from nucleated cells, followed by amplification using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One specific method for low resolution typing is PCR sequence specific priming (SSP), which utilizes a panel of primer pairs to amplify groups of alleles. Low resolution testing can be performed using specialized test kits or semi-automatic test systems. It is important to note that CPT® Code 81376 is specifically designated for low resolution testing of a single HLA Class II locus, which may include loci such as DRB1, DRB3/4/5, DQB1, DQA1, DPB1, or DPA1. This code is distinct from others that cover broader testing, such as CPT® Code 81375, which encompasses all five HLA Class II loci, and CPT® Code 81377, which is used for testing a single HLA Class II antigen equivalent.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The HLA Class II typing procedure is performed for various clinical indications, particularly in the context of immunology and transplantation. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure for HLA Class II typing at low resolution involves several key steps, which are detailed below:
After the HLA Class II typing procedure, the patient may not require any specific post-procedure care, as the process is minimally invasive. However, it is essential to communicate the results to the patient and relevant healthcare providers. The results of the HLA typing can significantly impact clinical decisions, particularly in the context of organ and bone marrow transplantation. Patients may be monitored for any potential reactions or complications related to the sample collection, although such occurrences are rare. Follow-up consultations may be scheduled to discuss the implications of the HLA typing results and any necessary next steps in treatment or management.
| Short Descr | HLA II TYPING 1 LOCUS LR | Medium Descr | HLA CLASS II TYPING LOW RESOLUTION ONE LOCUS EA | Long Descr | HLA Class II typing, low resolution (eg, antigen equivalents); one locus (eg, HLA-DRB1, -DRB3/4/5, -DQB1, -DQA1, -DPB1, or -DPA1), each | Status Code | Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies) | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | CLIA Waived (QW) | No | APC Status Indicator | Service Paid under Fee Schedule or Payment System other than OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 5 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
| 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2014-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2012-01-01 | Added | Added |
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