Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: May I use injection code 90782 or G0008 with an influenza shot?


Indiana Subscriber

Answer: You should report an injection administration code for all insurers. But you should use an immunization administration code (90465-90466, Immunization administration under 8 years of age [includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections] when the physician counsels the patient/family - or 90471-90472, Immunization administration [includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections] -), not 90782 (Therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic injection [specify material injected]; subcutaneous or intramuscular).

Why: Code 90782 is for a therapeutic injection, such as a Decadron shot, given to a non-Medicare patient. An individual instead receives an influenza injection as a vaccination against the flu.

For Medicare carriers, submit HCPCS level-II code G0008 (Administration of influenza virus vaccine when no physician fee schedule service on the same day) instead of the CPT vaccine administration code (90465-90466 or 90471-90472).