Pediatric Coding Alert

Code 488.1 does not = confirmed lab. Swine flu has made an early arrival in several states and in your 2009 preventive and sick coding. To avoid denials for H1N1 vaccination administration, you're going to have to check which of three administration code options your major payers want. "Some payers want you to use the new code, others want you to use Medicare's code, and others want you to use the regular vaccine administration codes," says Richard Tuck, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at PrimeCare of Southeastern Ohio in Zanesville. Best bet: Create an Excel spreadsheet that lists which H1N1 vaccine administration code each of your payers requires. Here are the options. Use AMA-Preferred 90470 as New CPT 2009 Code The AMA fast-tracked a CPT code for vaccine administration specifically for H1N1, Tuck says. Code 90470 (H1N1 immunization administration [intramuscular] [intranasal] including counseling when performed]) is effective immediately. In addition, CPT revised [...]