|
8.2.4.2 Allergy Testing
Texas Medicaid benefits include allergy testing for clients with clinically significant allergic symptoms. Allergy testing is focused on determining the allergens that cause a particular reaction and the degree of the reaction. Allergy testing also provides justification for recommendations of particular medicines, of immunotherapy, or of specific avoidance measures in the environment.
An initial evaluation of a new patient is considered for reimbursement in addition to allergy testing on the same day.
Established patient visits are not considered for reimbursement in addition to allergy testing on the same day. The allergy testing is considered for reimbursement and the visit is denied as part of another procedure on the same day.
The following allergy tests are benefits of Texas Medicaid:
• Percutaneous and intracutaneous skin test. The skin test for IgE-mediated disease with allergenic extracts is used in the assessment of allergic clients. The test involves the introduction of small quantities of test allergens below the epidermis. Procedure codes 95004, 95010, 95015, 95024, 95027, and/or 95028 should be used to submit skin tests for consideration of reimbursement.
•Patch or application tests. Patch testing (procedure code 95044) is used for diagnosing contact allergic dermatitis.
•Photo or photo patch skin test. Procedure codes 95052 and 95056 may be used for photo or photo patch skin tests.
•Ophthalmic mucous membrane or direct nasal mucous membrane tests. Nasal or ophthalmic mucous membrane tests (procedure codes 95060 and 95065) are used for the diagnosis of either food or inhalant allergies and involve the direct administration of the allergen to the mucosa.
•Inhalation bronchial challenge testing (not including necessary pulmonary function tests). Bronchial challenge testing with methacholine, histamine, or allergens (procedure codes 95070 and 95071) is used for defining asthma or airway hyperactivity when skin testing results are not consistent with the client's medical history. Results of these tests are evaluated by objective measures of pulmonary function.
Procedure code 95199 may be used for an unlisted allergy or clinical immunologic service or procedure if there is not a specific procedure code that describes the service performed. Prior authorization is required for unlisted procedure codes. Every effort must be used to bill with the appropriate CPT code that describes the procedure being performed. If a code does not exist to describe the service performed, prior authorization may be requested using unlisted procedure code 95199 and must be submitted with documentation to assist in determining coverage. The documentation submitted must include all of the following:
•The client's diagnosis
•Medical records indicating prior treatment for this diagnosis and the medical necessity of the requested procedure
•A clear, concise description of the procedure to be performed
•Reason for recommending this particular procedure
•A CPT or HCPCS procedure code that is comparable to the procedure being requested
•Documentation that this procedure is not investigational or experimental
•Place of service (POS) the procedure is to be performed
•The physician's intended fee for this procedure
Prior authorization requests for PCCM clients must be submitted by the physician to the PCCM Outpatient Prior Authorization Department. All other requests for prior authorization must be submitted by the physician to the Special Medical Prior Authorization (SMPA) department.
The type and number of allergy tests performed must be indicated on the claim. When the number of tests is not specified, a quantity of one is allowed.
The following procedure codes are denied when billed on the same day by the same provider as procedure code 95027:
|
