Here's your heads-up on some new options that won't be in the CPT® book yet. 2013 will bring many changes to some of your most-used codes, including updates to some of your most common vaccines. Read on for the latest news from the American Medical Association (AMA) and what changes you should prepare for now. Prepare for 'Official' and Revised Vaccine Codes Several code changes will impact your reporting in 2013, affecting your influenza and hepatitis B vaccine administrations. FDA ok:
Flu vaccine additions:
Two new influenza immunization product codes were released in July 2012, and will become effective January 1, 2013. Your new code choices will include 90653 (Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated, subunit, adjuvanated, for intramuscular use) and 90672 (Influenza virus vaccine, quadrivalent, live, for intranasal use).Influenza vaccine codes 90655-90660 also get an update in CPT® 2013. Each descriptor will include the term "trivalent," meaning that the vaccine protects against three influenza viruses and that all three components are built into one vaccination.
Hepatitis changes:
You'll find one new and one revised code for hepatitis B vaccines in CPT® 2013. New code 90739 (Hepatitis B vaccine, adult dosage [2 dose schedule], for intramuscular use) will go into effect on January 1. In a related change, hepatitis B vaccine code 90746 will be revised to clarify that it represents a three-dose schedule.Note These Codes You Can Use Before Printing
The CPT® Editorial panel announced four more influenza vaccine codes that will go into effect in 2013, though you won't find them in your CPT® book until 2014. The new codes include:
Caveat:
All four codes currently are pending FDA approval (as seen by the lightning bolt symbol associated with them in AMA materials). "The codes probably shouldn't be used until FDA approval or on January 1, 2013, whichever comes later," Moore advises.Don't Drop To-Be-Deleted Codes Yet
The AMA announcement also included details on vaccine codes that won't be part of CPT® 2013, primarily because of changing clinical indications. Three you see in internal medicine include:
"The CPT® Editorial Panel does attempt to keep this section of the book as current as possible to reflect current clinical practice," Moore says. "Deleting codes, where appropriate, is part of that process."
Remember, however, that you can still report the codes for services provided through the end of 2012. A note on the AMA's website supports this stance, reading, "It is important to note that these codes remain effective for reporting through December 31, 2012."
If your payer is already denying claims for these services before the codes are dropped in 2013, send a copy of the AMA's clarification with your appeal to ensure payment for your vaccine services. You'll find the complete announcement at www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/cpt/vaccine-codes.pdf.