When to use new Laboratory Analysis Procedure code 0202U

The new code o202U describes a multiplex amplified probe test that provides qualitative identification of multiple respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens from a single specimen obtained using nasopharyngeal swabs.

The test contains nucleic acid targets for identifying 22 specific respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2.

New code 0202U is effective immediately for reporting this laboratory test. Note, code 0202U is not included in the CPT 2020 code set, but it will be included in the Proprietary Laboratory Analyses subsection of the Pathology and Laboratory section of the CPT 2021 code set.

0202U  Infectious disease (bacterial or viral respiratory tract infection), pathogenspecific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA),
22 targets including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), qualitative RT-PCR, nasopharyngeal swab, each pathogen reported as detected or not detected

Clinical Example for Procedure or CPT code 0202U

An 81-year-old female presents to her primary care physician with congestion, cough, and difficulty breathing. The physician orders a molecular syndromic respiratory panel.

Description of Procedure or CPT code 0202U

A sample of the patient’s nasopharyngeal-swab specimen is placed in transport media and then added into the BioFire® Respiratory Panel 2.1 reagent pouch and analyzed. A report listing each pathogen as either “detected’ or “not detected” is reviewed and reported to the ordering physician.