Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Question: We set up certain days and times to give flu shots to our patients. Prior to providing the shot, the nurse checks the patient's temperature and blood pressure, and counsels the patient on the vaccine's side effects. Are we able to bill for the shot administration, the vaccine, and a nurse visit?

Vermont Subscriber

Answer: Although providing the temperature and blood pressure checks along with the counseling is good for patient relations, you can't separately report an E/M code because the visit's purpose was for the administration of the influenza vaccine.

If you're billing Medicare, be sure you report G0008 (Administration of influenza virus vaccine when no physician fee schedule service on the same day). For private carriers, you can use 90471 (Immunization administration [includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular and jet injections]; one vaccine [single or combination vaccine/toxoid]).