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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Allergy Testing Comes Down to 95024 and 95027

Published on Tue Jun 08, 2004

  Question: Our local carrier requires us to use 95024 for skin testing. We have been using 95027. What should we do? Kentucky Subscriber

Answer: Allergists administer intracutaneous tests (95024, Intracutaneous [intradermal] tests with allergenic extracts, immediate type reaction, specify number of tests) using allergenic extracts. Report 95024 according to the number of tests the physician performed. CPT2003 revised 95027 (Intracutaneous [intradermal] tests, sequential and incremental, with allergenic extracts for airborne allergens, immediate type reaction, specify number of tests) to describe airborne allergen tests that use various diluting strengths. When your carrier requires codes that differ from CPT, consider two things:

Make sure the carrier understands the procedure and the CPT descriptions that represent that service. If the carrier insists on a different code, get the carrier's instructions in writing so you'll have a record of the carrier's request on file in the event of an audit.
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