Pending Emergency Use Authorization, Janssen Vaccine Codes Ready

Pending Emergency Use Authorization, Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Codes Ready

The AMA has released codes for the Janssen Pharmaceutica COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine administration (AMA, 2021). In addition, as this is a single-dose vaccine, only one administration code is necessary. Due to the early release of the codes, systems will be ready to update upon the FDA’s approval.

UPDATE 3/1/2021: The FDA has issued the EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, allowing the distribution for use in patients of 18 years or older (FDA, 2021).

Furthermore, Janssen Pharmaceutica, a division of Johnson & Johnson, released data showing that the vaccine is 66% effective against moderate to severe illness and 85% effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 (Johnson & Johnson, 2021). In addition, vaccine recipients in the study were completely prevented from hospitalizations and deaths. The company applied for Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA on February 4, 2021.

According to AMA President Susan R, Bailey, MD: “Janssen’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine would mark a big change from the double-dose vaccines currently available. The change will place greater importance on accurately reporting COVID-19 immunizations by vaccine type and dose to ensure patients complete the appropriate immunization schedule. Unique CPT codes that clinically distinguish each COVID-19 vaccine provide the needed informational precision to ensure optimal vaccine distribution and administration” (AMA, 2021).

Four Unique COVID-19 CPT Codes

There are now four COVID-19 vaccines with unique CPT codes for the vaccine and administration of the vaccine. Codes for the Janssen product join those for Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.

Unlike the Janssen vaccine, the other three versions require two doses. These have administration codes for the first and second shots. Here is the vaccine code and administration code for the Johnson & Johnson product:

• 91303: “Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, DNA, spike protein, adenovirus type 26 (Ad26) vector, preservative free, 5×1010 viral particles/0.5mL dosage, for intramuscular use” (AMA, 2021)

• 0031A: “Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, DNA, spike protein, adenovirus type 26 (Ad26) vector, preservative free, 5×1010 viral particles/0.5mL dosage, single dose” (AMA, 2021)

Additional Information

The AMA website also lists all four vaccine and administration codes along with their manufacturer, vaccine name, and NDC number. The site also includes an access tool; coders can use this tool to locate the appropriate codes for the vaccine and administration. Access the information here.

Get the latest COVID-19 medical coding training. This covers the new ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, FAQ advice, treatments, vaccines. The courses also other CMS-targeted COVID-19 training topics. You can also follow our COVID-19 Resource Center for additional updates.

Ann Zeisset, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, co-authored this article with Teri Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA.