Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 95018 refers to a specific type of allergy testing that combines both percutaneous and intracutaneous methods to assess immediate type allergic reactions. In this procedure, allergens, which may include drugs, biological substances, or venoms, are introduced into the skin to elicit a response. The percutaneous method involves the physician applying a small amount of the allergen to the skin's surface through techniques such as scratching, puncturing, or pricking. In contrast, the intracutaneous method entails injecting a small volume of the allergen directly into the dermal layer of the skin. The physician closely monitors the test sites for signs of an allergic reaction, which may manifest as swelling, redness, or itching. Following the testing, the physician interprets the results and generates a comprehensive report detailing the number of tests conducted, the specific allergens used, and the observed reactions, whether they are absent, present, or of varying degrees. It is important to note that for tests specifically involving venoms, the appropriate code to use is 95017, while code 95018 is designated for tests utilizing drugs or biologicals.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure coded as CPT® 95018 is indicated for patients who require evaluation for immediate type allergic reactions to various substances. This may include individuals presenting with symptoms such as:
The procedure for CPT® 95018 involves several key steps to ensure accurate testing and interpretation of allergic reactions:
After the completion of the allergy testing procedure, the physician may provide the patient with specific post-procedure care instructions. This may include advising the patient to avoid scratching the test sites and monitoring for any delayed reactions that could occur after the initial testing period. The physician will also discuss the results of the tests with the patient, including any necessary follow-up actions or treatment plans based on the identified allergies. It is essential for the patient to keep the test sites clean and to report any unusual or severe reactions to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | ALL TSTG PERQ&IQ DRUGS/BIOL | Medium Descr | ALL TSTG PERQ & IQ W/DRUG/BIOL IMMT RXN W/I&R | Long Descr | Allergy testing, any combination of percutaneous (scratch, puncture, prick) and intracutaneous (intradermal), sequential and incremental, with drugs or biologicals, immediate type reaction, including test interpretation and report, specify number of tests | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2D - Other tests - other | MUE | 19 | CCS Clinical Classification | 173 - Other diagnostic procedures on skin and subcutaneous tissue |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | UD | Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Added | Added |
| 1992-12-31 | Deleted | Code deleted. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.