86003
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Medicare Pricing
Work RVU
0.00
Facility
N/A
Non-Facility
N/A
Documentation Required
- All documentation must be maintained in the patient's medical record and made available to the contractor upon request; every page must be legible and include appropriate patient identification (e.g., complete name, dates of service).
- The medical record must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care.
- The medical record must support the selected ICD-10-CM code(s) and the submitted CPT/HCPCS code must accurately describe the service performed.
- Prior to testing there must be evidence that a history was obtained indicating possible allergy and that attempts were made to narrow the area of investigation so that the minimal necessary skin tests were selected.
Key Coverage Criteria
- Allergy testing is covered when the medical record documents a history indicating the possible presence of allergy and the clinician selected a minimal number of tests/antigens based on patient-specific history and physician examination.
- Allergy testing is covered when the medical record documents the test(s) used, the interpretation(s), and objective measurement of reaction size (wheal and erythema in mm) or a standardized in vivo grading system.
- RAST type tests are covered when medically necessary and supported by the related Local Coverage Determination (LCD) and current medical literature or standards of practice.
- CPT code 86003 (RAST type test) is covered when billed for diagnostic testing, subject to the stated annual frequency limit.
- Allergy testing for inhalant allergens is covered when medically necessary; evaluation may include up to 90 prick-puncture tests followed by up to 40 intracutaneous tests if prick/puncture results are negative.
- Allergy testing for food sensitivity is covered when medically necessary and may require up to 40 percutaneous tests.
14 Active Policies
L36402 — Allergy Testing
J05
A57473 — Billing and Coding: Allergy Testing
J05
A56844 — Billing and Coding: RAST Type Tests
J06
L33591 — RAST Type Tests
J06
A57531 — Billing and Coding: Allergy Testing
Related Codes
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