Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

READER QUESTION:

Which Codes Are Missing From CPT 2008?

Question: I read that the CPT 2008 manual doesn't contain three new vaccine codes. Could you explain this and tell me which codes I shouldn't overlook?

Answer: Sometimes the AMA accepts a vaccine code, but the approval comes after the publication deadline. Therefore, the vaccine codes aren't printed in the most recently released book. To allow immediate use of the vaccines with a specific code, the AMA releases the codes online and makes them useable.

Because the codes aren't in the CPT 2008 manual, check with payers before submitting them. The AMA accepted codes 90650, 90681, and 90696 at the June 2007 CPT Editorial Panel meeting for the 2009 CPT production cycle. The codes do not appear in the 2008 CPT codebook, but are effective as of Jan. 1, 2008.

Useable, but not in print, codes include 90650 (Intramuscular HPV vaccine, types 16 and 18, 3 dose schedule); 90681 (Oral rotavirus vaccine, 2 dose schedule); and 90696 (Intramuscular DTaP-IPV vaccine, children 4-6 years).