Pediatric Coding Alert

Codes 90460, +90461 allow RNs, LPNs, and more to use them.

You'll be able to use medicine series vaccine administration with counseling codes on older patients and when a nurse provides the counseling thanks to CPT 2011.

Use 90460, +90461 Through Age 18

Because counseling for adolescents can involve as much time as counseling on vaccines for younger children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended

that the age limitation on the vaccine administration with counseling codes be raised. New codes (90460, Immunization administration through 18 years of age via any route of administration, with counseling by physician or other qualified health care professional; first vaccine/toxoid component and +90461, Immunization administration through 18 years of age via any route of administration, with counseling by physician or other qualified health care professional; each additional vaccine/toxoid component [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) extend vaccine administration with counseling to patients though 18 years of age.

Take Advantage of RN/LPN Counseling --" and Still Get Paid

Busy practices will be thrilled at being able to use their registered nurses (RN) or licensed practicing nurses (LPN) to capture the higher relative value units some private payers associate with the vaccine administration with counseling codes. The new vaccine administration with counseling code descriptor expands who can provide the vaccine counseling described in the deleted immunization administration with vaccine counseling codes (90465-90468). CPT 2011 vaccine administration with counseling codes 90465-90468 limited the counselor role to a physician and subject to state scope of practice laws nonphysician practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA).

The new vaccine administration with counseling code extend the counseling opportunity to any qualified healthcare professional practicing within his/her state described scope of practice. An RN, LPN, or medical technician could provide the counseling and the practice could still use the vaccine administration with counseling code.