bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. announced that the American Medical Association (AMA) has released a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code specifically for use with CyPath® Lung, a noninvasive test for early-stage lung cancer. Created and maintained by the AMA’s independent CPT Editorial Panel, CPT codes provide a uniform system to identify medical services and procedures and seek reimbursement from private payers and public health insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The reimbursement code for CyPath® Lung will be effective Oct.

1, 2023. Marketed by Precision Pathology Services as a laboratory developed test (LDT), CyPath® Lung uses flow cytometry and automated analysis to profile patient sputum samples to reliably predict the presence of lung cancer. CyPath® Lung incorporates a fluorescent porphyrin, TCPP, that is preferentially taken up by cancer and cancer-related cells.

In a recent clinical trial, CyPath® Lung showed 92% sensitivity and 87% specificity in high-risk patients who had lung nodules smaller than 20 millimeters. When a low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan reveals nodules smaller than 20 millimeters, doctors and patients may not have a clear path forward. The common choices are to “wait and see” what the next scan reveals or proceed with an invasive procedure, including biopsy, that may turn out to be unnecessary.