Billing and Coding Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergy and Immunology billing requires professional expertise in coding and billing for the services rendered. Different insurance carriers treat allergy testing and medication differently and have an entirely different set of rules for billing for these services.

In this article, we shared billing and coding guidelines for allergen immunotherapy keeping Medicare guidelines as standard. For the accurate selection of codes and services coverage, you have to refer to payer-specific allergy and immunology billing guidelines.

Billing Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy

• A dose of CPT code 95165 is defined as a one (1) cc aliquot from a single multi-dose 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 multi-dose 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.’
• When a venom regimen requires that antigens be mixed from more than one vial for administration and, due to a dose adjustment of one of the antigens, one vial is depleted before the other, the physician may bill for ‘catch-up’ doses of the short antigen. This must be done in a manner that synchronizes the preparation back to the highest venom code possible in the shortest amount of time. To catch up, the physician would bill only the amount of the depleted vial needed to catch up with the other vials. This will permit the physician to get back to preparing the full number of venoms at one time and billing the doses of the ‘cheaper’ higher venom codes. Use of a code below the venom treatment number for the particular patient should occur only for the purpose of ‘catching up.’
• 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.
• The physician should make no change in the number of doses for which he/she bills even if the patient’s doses are adjusted. The number of doses anticipated at the time of the antigen preparation is the number of doses that should be billed. If the patient actually receives more doses than originally planned (due to a decrease in the amount of antigen administered during treatment) or fewer doses (due to an increase in the amount of antigen administered), no change should be made in the billing.

Coding Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy

• 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). Avoid using the complete service codes (95120-95134).
• You can use CPT codes 95115 (single injection) and 95117 (multiple injections) to report the allergy injection alone, without the provision of the antigen.
• You can use CPT codes 95144-95170 (provision of antigens) to report the antigen/antigen preparation service when this is the only service rendered by the physician.
• You can use CPT 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.
• 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 a 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.
• You can use CPT code 95180 (rapid desensitization) when sensitivity to a drug has been established and treatment with the drug is essential. This procedure will also require frequent monitoring and skin testing. The number of hours involved in desensitization must be reported in the unit field.
• A visit to an allergist, which yields a diagnosis of specific allergy sensitivity but does not include immunotherapy, should be coded according to the level of care rendered.

Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) is a leading medical billing company providing complete medical billing and coding services. We referred CMS document to explain the billing and coding guidelines for allergen immunotherapy.

If you need assistance in Allergy and Immunology billing then call us at: 888-357-3226 or email us at: info@medicalbillersandcoders.com.

Reference: Billing and Coding Guidelines for Allergy Immunotherapy

FAQs

1. What is allergen immunotherapy billing?

Allergen immunotherapy billing is the process of using correct CPT codes to report injections and antigen preparations related to allergy shots and therapy.

2. Which CPT code is used for immunotherapy antigen doses?

CPT code 95165 is used to report antigen doses prepared from multi-dose vials, with up to 10 doses per vial for Medicare billing.

3. What codes report allergy injections alone?

CPT codes 95115 (single injection) and 95117 (multiple injections) are used to report just the immunotherapy injection without antigen preparation.

4. How are antigen preparations coded?

Antigen preparation services are coded using 95144–95170 based on the type and number of doses provided.

5. Should complete immunotherapy codes (95120-95134) be used?

No — it’s recommended to use individual component codes for injection and antigen services rather than complete service codes.