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Patch testing, as described by CPT® Code 95044, is a diagnostic procedure used to identify contact allergies that may lead to dermatitis. This method involves the application of allergenic extracts to the skin, allowing healthcare professionals to assess the patient's sensitivity to various substances. Typically, between 20 to 30 different allergens are tested simultaneously. The patches containing these allergens are affixed to the patient's skin, usually on the arm or back, and are left in place for a duration of 48 hours. During this time, it is crucial for the patient to avoid activities that may compromise the integrity of the test, such as bathing or engaging in strenuous physical activities that could induce sweating. After the 48-hour period, the patient returns to the healthcare facility where the patches are carefully removed. The physician or qualified healthcare professional then examines the skin for any signs of allergic reactions, which may include redness, swelling, or inflammation. The findings from this examination are documented in a written report that details the presence, absence, or degree of any allergic reactions to each specific allergen tested, providing valuable information for the management of the patient's allergic conditions.
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Patch testing is indicated for patients who exhibit symptoms suggestive of contact dermatitis or other allergic reactions. The following conditions may warrant the use of patch tests:
The procedure for conducting patch tests involves several key steps to ensure accurate results and patient safety.
After the patch test procedure, patients may experience some mild irritation at the test sites, which is generally temporary. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include avoiding further exposure to identified allergens and monitoring for any delayed reactions. The healthcare provider will discuss the results of the patch test with the patient, including any necessary lifestyle modifications or treatment options based on the findings. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to further manage the patient's allergic conditions and ensure effective treatment strategies are in place.
| Short Descr | PATCH/APPLICATION TESTS | Medium Descr | PATCH/APPLICATION TESTS SPECIFY NUMBER TESTS | Long Descr | Patch or application test(s) (specify number of tests) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 5 - Incident To 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 | 90 | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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.) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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 | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | 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. | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 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 | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 24 | Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service. | 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). | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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) | 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | JW | Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 1994-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1994. |
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