CPT code 95044: Patch testing, each separate patch test2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Epicutaneous patch tests assess delayed reactions to substances contacting the skin; report one unit for each separate test performed for suspected allergic contact dermatitis.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.3M Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $4.41 for 95044 in the office.

$4.41Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−12.0%vs the national office rate ($5.01)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 95044 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 95044 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 95044 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 95044 covers

Patch testing identifies delayed reactions associated with allergic contact dermatitis. Small amounts of suspected allergens, such as nickel, fragrance mixes, preservatives, rubber accelerators, or topical medications, are applied to the skin under patches, commonly on the upper back. Clinics may use prepared panels or appropriately prepared substances from a patient's own products. Patches generally remain in place for about 48 hours before removal and an initial reading; a later reading helps identify delayed reactions. Dermatologists and allergists commonly order and interpret the tests, while nurses or medical assistants apply the patches in the office.

Report one unit for each separate patch test, not for each strip or panel. A panel with 35 separately applied tests supports 35 units; document the substances tested, test count, and readings. Select patch testing for suspected delayed contact reactions rather than immediate allergy assessed by prick testing. CMS assigns no physician work RVUs to 95044; its relative value reflects practice expense and malpractice. CMS treats it as an incident-to service billed only when performed under physician supervision. A separately reported E/M requires a significant, independently documented evaluation beyond routine testing and interpretation; use modifier 25 on the E/M when both services occur on the same date.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Iowa compares for 95044

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 95044 runs from $4.19 in Arkansas to $6.92 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $4.41. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

95044 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$4.41
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$5.75+$1.34
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$5.88+$1.47
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$5.71+$1.30
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$5.47+$1.06
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$5.96+$1.55
  7. Alaska · Alaska$5.16+$0.75

Other areas in Iowa first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

95044 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$4.28—
ArkansasArkansas$4.19—
ArizonaArizona$4.82—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$5.33—
Chico, CACalifornia$5.30—
El Centro, CACalifornia$5.31—
Fresno, CACalifornia$5.30—
Hanford, CACalifornia$5.30—

95044 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$4.19

$6.11

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
95044 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$5.161
AL$4.281
AR$4.191
AZ$4.821
CA$5.30–$6.9229
CO$5.241
CT$5.441
DC$5.881
DE$4.921
FL$4.97–$5.713
GA$4.57–$5.152
GU$5.511
HI$5.511
IA$4.411
ID$4.461
IL$4.79–$5.474
IN$4.501
KS$4.401
KY$4.461
LA$4.46–$4.782
MA$5.19–$5.882
MD$5.04–$5.883
ME$4.51–$4.842
MI$4.65–$5.082
MN$4.911
MO$4.36–$4.793
MS$4.271
MT$5.011
NC$4.581
ND$4.811
NE$4.441
NH$5.161
NJ$5.47–$5.782
NM$4.691
NV$4.961
NY$4.68–$6.185
OH$4.611
OK$4.441
OR$4.89–$5.442
PA$4.61–$5.272
PR$5.061
RI$5.131
SC$4.601
SD$4.791
TN$4.431
TX$4.57–$5.248
UT$4.701
VA$4.83–$5.882
VI$5.061
VT$4.801
WA$5.18–$6.012
WI$4.581
WV$4.541
WY$4.921

See 95044 in every payment locality

How the 95044 rate is calculated

Each of 95044’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 95044

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.00

0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.1500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$5.01

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,464

Code
95044
Physician work
0.00
Practice expense
0.14
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 95044 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.00× 1.0000.0000
Practice expense0.14× 0.9150.1281
Malpractice0.01× 0.3970.0040
Total RVUs0.1321
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$4.41

Office: (0 × 1 + 0.14 × 0.915 + 0.01 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $4.41

Open 95044 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 95044

The CMS indicators that decide how 95044 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 95044

Patch testing, each separate patch test

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical5Incident-to service.

How 95044 has changed in Iowa

95044 · Office / nonfacility

$4.41

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.13 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $4.28 to $4.41 (3.0%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $4.28changed to$4.41

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $4.41changed to$4.28

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $4.34changed to$4.41

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $4.47changed to$4.34

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $4.54changed to$4.47

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $4.90changed to$4.54

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $4.74changed to$4.90

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $5.06changed to$4.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $5.05changed to$5.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $5.02changed to$5.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $4.99changed to$5.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $5.01changed to$4.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $4.98changed to$5.01

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $4.64changed to$4.98

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $4.98changed to$4.64

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.16 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $4.98

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$4.28Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$4.28Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$4.28Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$4.28Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$4.41Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$4.41Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$4.34Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$4.47Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$4.47Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$4.47Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$4.47Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$4.54Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$4.54Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$4.54Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$4.54Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$4.90Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$4.90Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$4.90Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$4.90Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$4.74Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$4.74Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$4.74Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$4.74Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$5.06Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$5.06Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$5.06Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$5.06Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$5.05Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$5.05Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$5.05Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$5.05Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$5.02Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$5.02Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$5.02Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$5.02Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$4.99Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$4.99Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$4.99Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$4.99Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$5.01Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$5.01Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$4.64Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$4.64Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$4.64Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$4.64Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$4.98Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 95044 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

95044 billing questions

How many units of 95044 are reported?

Report one unit per separate patch test, not per strip or panel. Document each substance and test site so the unit count can be verified.

Are patch removal and delayed readings billed separately?

No. Removal and readings are part of the patch testing service; routine interpretation of the results does not by itself support a separate E/M.

Can an E/M be billed on the day patches are applied?

Yes, if a significant, separately identifiable evaluation is documented beyond the work associated with testing. Append modifier 25 to the E/M reported on the same date.

Why does 95044 have no physician work RVUs?

CMS values 95044 through practice expense and malpractice RVUs and treats it as an incident-to service billed only when performed under physician supervision. A separate E/M is reported only when its own documentation and service requirements are met.

When should photo patch testing be reported instead?

When patches are used with controlled light exposure to investigate photoallergic contact dermatitis, report the photo patch tests with 95052 rather than 95044.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 95044PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,464 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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