Pediatric Coding Alert

The American Medical Association (AMA) has released 10 new vaccine codes six revised, and four new for CPT Codes 2001. The release, published in the June issue of CPT Assistant, is unusual because normally annual code changes are not announced until the fall. But the CPT editorial panel has decided that vaccine product codes deserve an early release to facilitate immunization reporting.

No other codes will be released on this early basis. The vaccine product codes are being released and will continue to be released biannually instead of on an annual basis in the interest of the public good. Every one of the 10 codes released is very important to pediatrics.

Here are the new codes, with an explanation of what makes them different from CPT 2000.

Revised Vaccine Product Codes

90378 respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin (RSV-IgIM), for intramuscular use, 50 mg, each. A new code for CPT 2000, the RSV vaccine did not have a dosage element in the descriptor before.

90669 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, polyvalent, for children under five years, for intramuscular use. This is Prevnar, the new pneumococcal vaccine, which is now available for infants. The change is that CPT 2000 did not specify for children under five years.

90702 diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT) adsorbed for use in individuals younger than seven years, for intramuscular use. The previously existing descriptor referred only to pediatric use and did not specify the age group.

90718 tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) adsorbed for use in individuals seven years or older, for intramuscular or jet injection. The previously existing descriptor referred to this code as for adult use.

90744 hepatitis B vaccine, pediatric/adolescent dosage (3 dose schedule), for intramuscular use. The previous descriptor did not specify a three-dose schedule. This code can be used once per dose.

90747 hepatitis B vaccine, dialysis or immunosuppressed patient dosage (4 dose schedule), for intramuscular use. The previous descriptor did not specify a four-dose schedule.

New Vaccine Product Codes

90723 diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis vaccine, hepatitis B, and poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (DtaP-HepB-IPV), for intramuscular use.

90732 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, 23-valent, adult or immunosuppressed patient dosage, for subcutaneous or intramuscular use.

90740 hepatitis B vaccine, dialysis or immunosupressed patient dosage (3 dose schedule), for intramuscular use.

90743 hepatitis B vaccine, adolescent (2 dose schedule), for intramuscular use.