Pediatric Coding Alert

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One Payer Formally Confirms Male HPV Vaccine Payment

United Healthcare now covers these vaccinations for males and females ages nine through 26.You can rest easy when filing your HPV vaccine claims for male patients, at least for one national payer, thanks to a recent policy update by United Healthcare.As we reported in Vol., 14, No. 11 of Pediatric Coding Alert, pediatric practices have been struggling to collect payment for administering the HPV vaccine Gardasil® to male patients. In its February 2012 "Medical Policy Update Bulletin," United Healthcare announced that "coverage of Gardasil for males will be effective February 1, 2012," but that claims will not retroactively be adjusted for any services performed prior to Feb. 1.The UHC coverage is now in effect for both males and females aged nine through 26 years.To read the full UHC announcement, visit www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policy%20Update%20Bulletins/Policy%20Update%20Bulletins/Medical_Policy_Update_Bulletin_February_2012.pdf.
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