Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: During an office visit, our nurse administered a B12 injection and a flu shot to an established patient. Can we code for both injections in addition to the office visit? Answer: The answer depends on the circumstances. First, report the appropriate code for the flu vaccine (e.g., 90658, "Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use) depending on the type of vaccine administered as well as the appropriate code for the administration of the vaccine, such as 90471 (Immunization administration [includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections]; 1 vaccine [single or combination vaccine/toxoid]). If the administration involved physician counseling with a patient 18 years of age or younger, you will use code 90460 for the administration; for a Medicare patient, the administration code is G0008 (Administration of influenza virus vaccine). For the B12 injection, report the administration with CPT [...]