Retrospective review of insurance coverage for patch testing.

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on the burden of insurance limitations for patients undergoing patch testing.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the burden of insurance limitations and its impact on differences in management and execution of patch testing.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with a diagnosis of contact dermatitis (International Classification of Disease [ICD], Ninth Edition, code ICD 692) who received patch testing (Current Procedural Terminology code 95044) at the George Washington Medical Faculty Associates Dermatology Clinic between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2017. Variables including allergen limitations were compared between government-sponsored insurance and private insurance providers (eg, Insurers A, B, C, and D).

RESULTS

A total of 371 records were identified. Government-sponsored insurance patients encountered allergen limitations more frequently than private insurance patients (86.8% vs 14.2%, P < .0001). Insurer C and D patients were least likely to encounter allergen limitations (1.2% vs 0%, P < .0001) and were tested to the most allergens (mean = 146 vs 152, P < .0001). Insurer A patients had the least allergens tested among those privately insured.

CONCLUSION

Considering modification of insurance policies to allow patch testing with a larger number of allergens without restrictions is needed, with the goal of improving quality of life of these patients while saving costs from chronic use of topical corticosteroids.