Previously ingestion challenge testing for food, drugs or other substance was reported under Code 95075. That code has been deleted and effective January 1, 2013 is replaced by two new codes 95076 and 95079.

Code 95076 is defined as Ingestion challenge test (sequential and incremental ingestion of test items, e.g., food, drug or other substance); initial 120 minutes of testing.

Code 95079 is an add on code always reported with Code 95076 and is defined as each additional minutes of testing (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure.

As an example for the use of the new codes for drug allergy testing, consider a common protocol for penicillin allergy testing.  An initial single prick test is performed with each of the following: histamine, saline, benzylpenicilloyl polylysine (Pre-Pen), and penicillin G.

If these tests are “negative”, intradermal tests are then performed in the following manner: one intradermal application of a saline control, and two intradermal injections each for benzylpenicilloyl polylysine and penicillin G.

If the intradermal tests are “negative”, then on oral challenge with a penicillin product is given, and the patient is observed for one hour. The physician should bill for 9 units of 95018 (4 prick and 5 intradermal tests), and 1 unit of 95076 for the oral challenge test.