Review These New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines from the AMA
Review These New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines from the AMA
In anticipation of the release of COVID-19 vaccines, the AMA has released CPT codes for each of the two COVID-19 vaccines. These go with administration codes for first and second doses (AMA, 2020). Additionally, AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D., remarked, “An effective national immunization program is key to bringing the coronavirus pandemic to an end. Correlating each coronavirus vaccine with its own unique CPT code provides analytical advantages to help track, allocate and optimize resources as an immunization program ramps up in the United States” (AMA, 2020). In addition, the AMA worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the codes.
The pharmaceutical firm Pfizer recently announced that the vaccine they are developing with BioNTech is more than 90% effective, based on data from the phase 3 clinical trial (CNBC, 2020). Other companies are also working on vaccines that are showing promising results. After safety data is analyzed, Pfizer will then submit an Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA. This could come as early as the end of November. The newly released CPT codes will be available when these vaccines are ready for distribution.
Category 1 Codes
Furthermore, the Category 1 codes for the vaccine products are:
91300: “Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 30 mcg/0.3mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, for intramuscular use” (AMA, 2020). (Pfizer)
91301: “Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 100 mcg/0.5mL dosage, for intramuscular use” (AMA, 2020). (Moderna)
Vaccine Administration Codes
Codes for administering the vaccines were also developed. Additionally, the codes report the administering the vaccine, providing the necessary patient and/or caregiver counseling, and updating the electronic record. Furthermore, the codes are distinct to each coronavirus vaccine and dose in the required schedule – first and second dose. This specificity will also allow for tracking of each vaccine dose in all circumstances. This includes when the vaccine is provided to the patient without charge.
List of Administration Codes
Additionally, the administration codes are:
0001A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 30 mcg/0.3mL dosage, diluent reconstituted; first dose. (Pfizer)
0002A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 30 mcg/0.3mL dosage, diluent reconstituted; second dose. (Pfizer)
0011A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 100 mcg/0.5mL dosage; first dose. (Moderna)
0012A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative-free, 100 mcg/0.5mL dosage; second dose. (Moderna)
In addition, you can see the AMA website for more information on these codes. You can also learn more about other CPT codes developed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Ann Zeisset, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, co-authored this article with Teri Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA.
Additional Information
Additionally, you can review these YES Blog resources. These articles detail the ICD-10 and CPT codes developed to report, test, and treat the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Read our article, “CDC Releases Updated Coding & Reporting Guidelines for U07.1,” for the full coding and reporting guidelines for COVID-19 symptoms, infection, and screening tests, which are effective April 1 through September 30.
- Our previous articles, “AMA Releases Two New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Antibody Detection,” and “Selecting the Right COVID-19 Code: Should You Use CPT or HCPCS,” provide additional coding and reporting guidelines for COVID-19 laboratory tests.
- Part 1 in the “COVID-19 Explained” Series explores the Coronavirus’ history, and how to code suspected exposure to the virus.
- Part 2 dives into the ICD-10 codes for the Coronavirus symptoms and infection.
- Part 3 reviews the codes for screening for suspected COVID-19 infection.
- Read our article, “Twelve New ICD-10-PCS Hospital Procedure Codes Released for COVID-19 Treatment,” for PCS coding updates on COVID-19 treatments.
- Read our article, “Update on Billing COVID-19 Vaccine: CMS Issues IFC for No-Cost Coronavirus Treatment,” for information about insurance coverage on the impending COVID-19 vaccines.
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.
