Reader Question:
'Counseling' Is Key Word for Vaccines
Published on Mon Sep 03, 2012
Question: Our physician circled codes for administering a vaccine (90715) and its administration (90471) on the claim form. His only diagnosis is V06.1 (Need for prophylactic vaccination and inoculation against combinations of diseases; diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis combined [DTP] [DTaP]). Are these the right codes? I think he's wrong but he insists he is correct.New Mexico Subscriber Answer: The correct administration code depends on the age of the patient and whether the physician performed counseling during the encounter. If he only administered the vaccines -- with no counseling --- or the patient was older than 18 years of age, report 90715 (Tetanus, diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine [Tdap], when administered to individuals 7 years or older, for intramuscular use) and 90471 (Immunization administration [includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections]; 1 vaccine [single or combination vaccine/toxoid]). If he did perform counseling and the patient was 18 years of age or younger, report 90715 with [...]
