Wiki Rabies injections

[karlie2clay]

We are a college based Healthcare center. Some degree programs require the students to get the Rabies injection series as a preventive measure. Can we bill them with diagnosis Z29.14 or should we use Z23?
Thank you

 

[thomas7331]

No, as I understand it these two codes are for two different types of treatment. The rabies vaccine is for immunization - if that's what is being given I would code Z23. Rabies immunoglobulin is not a vaccine, but rather is a medication used to prevent development of the disease when a person has potentially been exposed. You would not use Z29.14 for the rabies vaccine as that is not same thing as immunoglobulin therapy.