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.
Intracutaneous (intradermal) tests are diagnostic procedures utilized to assess an individual's allergic responses to specific allergenic extracts. These tests are designed to provoke an immediate type reaction, which is characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms following exposure to an allergen. During the procedure, one or more allergenic extracts are carefully injected just beneath the surface of the skin, typically on the forearm or back. The injection sites are then closely monitored for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as localized redness, swelling, or inflammation. A qualified healthcare professional, such as a physician, evaluates these reactions to determine the patient's sensitivity to the tested allergens. Following the evaluation, the results are meticulously interpreted, and a comprehensive written report is generated. This report details the number of allergens tested, specifies the particular allergenic extracts used, and indicates the presence, absence, or degree of allergic reaction observed for each allergen. It is important to note that for tests specifically aimed at identifying airborne allergens, the CPT® code 95027 should be utilized.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Intracutaneous (intradermal) tests with allergenic extracts are indicated for the evaluation of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in patients who present with symptoms suggestive of allergies. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
The procedure for conducting intracutaneous (intradermal) tests involves several key steps to ensure accurate results and patient safety. First, the healthcare provider prepares the patient by reviewing their medical history and any previous allergic reactions. The skin is then cleansed with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. Following this, the provider selects the appropriate allergenic extracts based on the patient's history and suspected allergies. One or more of these extracts are then injected intradermally, which means they are placed just beneath the skin's surface using a fine needle. The injection sites are typically located on the forearm or back, allowing for easy observation of reactions. After the injections, the sites are monitored for a specified period, usually 15 to 20 minutes, during which the healthcare professional observes for any immediate allergic reactions, such as redness, swelling, or induration. Once the observation period is complete, the reactions are evaluated, and the results are documented. A written report is generated that includes the number of tests performed, the specific allergenic extracts used, and the degree of any allergic reactions noted.
After the intracutaneous tests are completed, patients are typically advised to avoid scratching or irritating the injection sites to prevent false reactions. The healthcare provider may provide instructions on how to care for the sites, including keeping them clean and dry. Patients are also informed about potential delayed reactions, which may occur hours or even days after the test. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results in detail and to determine any necessary further testing or treatment based on the findings. It is essential for patients to report any unusual symptoms or prolonged reactions to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | IQ TESTS W/ALLERGENIC XTRCS | Medium Descr | INTRACUTANEOUS TESTS W/ALLERGENIC EXTRACTS | Long Descr | Intracutaneous (intradermal) tests with allergenic extracts, 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 | 02 - Procedure must be performed under the direct supervision of a physician. | 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 | 40 | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-01 | Note | Short description updated per Errata & Technical Corrections dated 2024-02-09. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.