cpt 95115, 95114 - 95170 -Allergen Immunotherapy Coding

1. Always use the component codes (95115, 95117, 95144-95170) when reporting allergy immunotherapy services to Medicare. Report the injection only codes (95115 and 95117) and/or the codes representing antigens and their preparation (95144-95170). Do not use the complete service codes (95120-95134)!
2. Use CPT component procedure codes 95115 (single injection) and 95117 (multiple injections) to report the allergy injection alone, without the provision of the antigen.

3. Use CPT component procedure codes 95144-95170 (provision of antigens) to report the antigen/antigen preparation service when this is the only service rendered by the physician.

4. Use CPT procedure codes 95115/95117 and the appropriate CPT procedure code from the range 95145-95170 when reporting both the injection and the antigen/antigen preparation service (complete service). These instructions also apply to allergists who provide both services through the use of treatment boards.

5. The provision of antigens must be coded based on the specific type of antigen provided:

· CPT code 95144 is used to report regular antigens, other than stinging insect. Use this code to report single dose vials. Use this code only when the allergist actually prepares the extract. Code 95144 (single dose vials of antigen) should be reported only if the physician providing the antigen is providing it to be injected by someone other than himself/herself. If this code is mistakenly reported in conjunction with an injection (95115 or 95117), payment will be made under code 95165.

· CPT procedure code 95165 is used to report multiple dose vials of non-venom antigens. Effective January 1, 2001, for CPT code 95165, a dose is now defined as a one-(1) cc aliquot from a single multidose vial. When billing code 95165, providers should report the number of units representing the number of 1 cc doses being prepared. A maximum of 10 doses per vial is allowed for Medicare billing, even if more than ten preparations are obtained from the vial. In cases where a multidose vial is diluted, Medicare should not be billed for diluted preparations in excess of the 10 doses per vial allowed under code 95165.
· CPT procedure codes 95145-95149 and 95170 are used to report stinging insect venoms. Venom doses are prepared in separate vials and not mixed together -except in the case of the three vespid mix (white and yellow hornets and yellow jackets). Use the code within the range that is appropriate to the number of venoms provided. If a code for more than one venom is reported, some amount of each of the venoms must be provided. Use of a code below the venom treatment number for the particular patient should occur only for the purpose of “catching up” (see coding guideline # 7).
· The antigen codes (95144-95170) are considered single dose codes. To report these codes, specify the number of doses provided.
· If a patient’s doses are adjusted (e.g., due to reaction), and the antigen provided is actually more or fewer doses than originally anticipated, make no change in the number of doses billed. Report the number of doses actually anticipated at the time of the antigen preparation. These instructions apply to both venom and non-venom antigen codes.