Cigna Precertification Updates & PLA Codes

Cigna updated their precertification list in August 2017 and October 2017, and plan to make additional updates in January 2018. On August 1, 2017, they added 12 new PLA codes 0006U-0017U to the precertification list. Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) codes were released by the AMA, and are new additions to the CPT® code set approved by the AMA CPT Editorial Panel. Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) codes are alpha-numeric CPT codes with a corresponding descriptor for labs or manufacturers that want to more specifically identify their test. Tests with PLA codes must be performed on human specimens and must be requested by the clinical laboratory or the manufacturer that offers the test. On October 1, 2017, they added six new PLA CPT codes 0018U-0023U. Codes to be removed from the precertification list on January 1, 2018 are 81280, 81281 and 81282.