< Billing codes

Billing code

G198A — Patch Test - For Industrial Or Occupational Dermatoses, To A Maximum Of 125 Per Patient, Per Year - Per Test

Occupational patch test

Bill G198 per patch test when the skin condition is industrial or occupational, up to 125 tests per patient per year.

Watch for: Use G198 only for industrial or occupational dermatoses; other patch tests are G206, limited to 90 per year.

ProviderSpecialistAssistantAnaesthetistNon-anaesthetist
$2.39$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00
Code
G198A
Description
Patch Test - For Industrial Or Occupational Dermatoses, To A Maximum Of 125 Per Patient, Per Year - Per Test
FHO+ basket
Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
Effective date
Apr 1, 2025
Termination date
No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Patch test for industrial or occupational dermatoses, billed per test, up to 125 tests per patient per year.

What it covers

G198 is a patch test, billed per test, when the dermatosis is industrial or occupational (J4). Other patch testing is G206, which has a lower limit of 90 per patient per year (J4).

Billing rules

  • Maximum 125 tests per patient per year, counted in date order; tests over the limit are not eligible for payment (J4, GP7).
  • Use G198 only for industrial or occupational dermatoses; other patch tests are G206 (J4).
  • Payable in addition to a consultation or assessment (J3).
  • Not marked (+), so the G700 sole-visit premium does not apply (J3, J4).

Often billed with

  • A consultation or assessment the same day (J3).
  • G209 and G197 skin testing (technical and professional components) when also done; each has its own 50-per-year limit (J5).

Related codes: G206, G209, G197, G196

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Allergy, Patch test, page J4; section preamble J3; General Preamble GP7

APEX checks every paid claim against the Schedule of Benefits and flags codes billed below what the visit qualified for. See how APEX works · Pricing