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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary CodesHCPCS hcpcs-q0112-potassium-hydroxide-preparations
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    HCPCS Q0112: All Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Preparations

    HCPCS Level II code Q0112 identifies all potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations used for topical clinical diagnostic testing; the service is a chemical diagnostic preparation typically supplied and used in outpatient dermatology clinics, primary care offices, or ambulatory care settings for microscopy or skin specimen evaluation.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays, Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a suspicious cutaneous lesion characterized by scaling, crusting, erythema, or papulovesicular features where a fungal, yeast, or certain dermatologic infectious etiology is considered. The clinician performs a focused skin examination, documents lesion location, size, duration, and pertinent history (recent travel, immunosuppression, contact exposures). A specimen (skin scraping, scale, or nail clippings) is obtained from the lesion using a blade or curette and placed on a glass slide. In the procedure room or clinic laboratory, the clinician or trained staff applies a potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation to the specimen and gently heats or covers with a coverslip to clear keratin. Microscopy is performed at the point of care to identify fungal hyphae, pseudohyphae, budding yeast, or dermatophyte elements. Findings are documented in the medical record, including the test type (KOH preparation), specimen source, microscopy results, clinical interpretation, and any immediate treatment decisions (topical antifungal, systemic therapy, or further diagnostic testing) or referrals. Typical sites of service are outpatient dermatology offices, primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and community health clinics. Typical patient scenarios include tinea corporis or tinea pedis evaluation, suspected candidal intertrigo, or onychomycosis assessment when a rapid in-office diagnostic test is indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11100Biopsy of single lesion, skin; tangential (e.g., shave, scoop), single lesionPerformed when lesion cannot be definitively diagnosed by KOH or when biopsy is indicated for histopathology
    11101Biopsy of single lesion, skin; tangential (e.g., shave, scoop), each additional lesionAdditional lesion sampling when multiple lesions require histologic diagnosis after or in addition to KOH
    87070Culture, bacterial; throat, aerobic, single isolateMay be ordered if secondary bacterial infection is suspected alongside fungal infection (often separate from KOH testing)
    87220Smear, primary source with interpretation; wet mount for infectious agents (e.g., KOH prep)Provides an alternative or parallel code for microscopic wet mount preparations in some coding contexts
    87116Fungal culture, pathogenic, isolated organism identificationPerformed after a positive or suspicious KOH to identify fungal species and guide therapy
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from physician to labBilled when specimen transport or handling is separately reportable in the facility workflow

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207N00000XDermatology PhysicianA dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genital…
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    246XS1301XSonography Specialist/Technologist CardiovascularA cardiovascular sonography technologist operates special equipment to create images and conduct tests of the cardiovascular system. They work with ph…
    103TM1800XIntellectual & Developmental Disabilities PsychologistBehavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Psychologist
    183700000XPharmacy TechnicianA person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions that do not require the professi…
    172V00000XCommunity Health WorkerCommunity health workers (CHW) are lay members of communities who work either for pay or as volunteers in association with the local health care syste…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    B-Hemolytic Streptococcus TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance AssaysOscar Health2026-10-01
    Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)blue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4139-INJECTABLE-AMNIOMATRIX-BIODMATRIX-1-CC

    HCPCS Q4139: Amniomatrix or Biodmatrix, Injectable, 1 cc

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4256-AREA-BASED-PROCEDURAL-ADD-ON-PER-SQ-CM

    HCPCS Q4256: MLG-complete Skin Graft Material, Per Sq Cm

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q5132-ADALIMUMAB-AFZB-ABRILADA-10MG-INJECTION

    HCPCS Level II Q5132: Injection, adalimumab-afzb (Abrilada), 10 mg

    HCPCS-Q0035-CARDIOKYMOGRAPHY-CARDIAC-MOTION-RECORDING

    HCPCS Level II Q0035: Cardiokymography

    HCPCS-Q0081-INFUSION-THERAPY-NON-CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Level II Q0081: Infusion Therapy, Non‑Chemotherapeutic, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0083-CHEMOTHERAPY-NON-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS Q0083: Chemotherapy Administration, Non-Infusion Methods

    HCPCS-Q0084-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0084: Chemotherapy Infusion Administration, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0085-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-PLUS-OTHER-TECHNIQUES-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0085: Chemotherapy Infusion Plus Other Technique(s), Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0091-PAP-SMEAR-SPECIMEN-COLLECTION-TRANSPORT

    HCPCS Q0091: Screening Papanicolaou Smear Collection and Transport

    HCPCS-Q0092-PORTABLE-XRAY-EQUIPMENT-SETUP

    HCPCS Q0092: Set-up Portable X-ray Equipment

    Showing 1–10 of 629

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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