CPT® Code 95017

Allergy testing, any combination of percutaneous (scratch, puncture, prick) and intracutaneous (intradermal), sequential and incremental, with venoms, immediate type reaction, including test interpretation and report, specify number of tests

The CPT® Code 95017 refers to a specific type of allergy testing that involves both percutaneous and intracutaneous methods. These methods are designed to assess an individual's allergic reactions to various substances, particularly venoms. In percutaneous testing, the skin is either scratched, punctured, or pricked with a small amount of the allergen, which allows for the observation of immediate reactions on the skin's surface. Intracutaneous testing, on the other hand, involves the injection of a small volume of the allergen into the dermal layer of the skin, which can elicit a more pronounced reaction. The procedure is sequential and incremental, meaning that the tests are conducted in a stepwise manner, gradually increasing the concentration of the allergen to determine the threshold at which an allergic response occurs. The physician closely monitors the test sites for signs of an immediate type reaction, such as swelling, redness, and itching. After the testing is completed, the physician interprets the results and generates a detailed report that includes the number of tests conducted, the specific venoms used, and the degree of allergic reaction observed. This comprehensive approach ensures that the testing is thorough and provides valuable information for diagnosing and managing allergies.