Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: If a pediatrician provides the counseling and steps out of the room during the administration, may she use CPT 90465 ?


Massachusetts Subscriber

Answer: Many offices are wondering the same thing - what exactly does the pediatrician have to do to report the new pediatric-specific vaccine administration codes (90465-90468, Immunization administration under 8 years of age ... when the physician counsels the patient/family ...).

The new codes do not require that the physician actually administer the vaccine. To report 90465-90468, the physician must perform face-to-face vaccine counseling during that patient encounter. The nurse may administer the vaccine.