Medicare Releases New Product-Specific HCPCS Codes for Flu Shots Billed After January 1, 2011

NOTE: The 2012 – 2013 flu shot codes can be found here.

For flu shot updates for the 2011-2012 influenza season, click here.

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Changes in Flu Shot Codes When Billing On/After January 1, 2011

CMS has created specific HCPCS codes and payment allowances to replace CPT code 90658 for Medicare billing purposes for the 2010-2011 influenza season. Note that these HCPCS codes will not be recognized by the Medicare claims processing systems until January 1, 2011, when CPT code 90658 will no longer be recognized.

1. • Q2035 (locally priced)
     • Afluria vacc, 3 yrs & >, im
     • Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Afluria)
   • Q2036 ($7.439 national allowable)
     • Flulaval vacc, 3 yrs & >, im
     • Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Flulaval)
   • Q2037 ($13.253  national allowable)
     • Fluvirin vacc, 3 yrs & >,im
     • Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Fluvirin)
   • Q2038 ($12.593  national allowable)
     • Fluzone vacc, 3 yrs & >, im
     • Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Fluzone)
   • Q2039 (locally priced)
     • NOS flu vacc, 3 yrs & >, im
     • Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Not Otherwise Specified)

     Other information:

     • For dates of service between October 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, the CPT 90658 and the Q-codes will be valid for billing; however, providers may not bill Medicare for both the CPT 90658 and any of the Q-codes for the same patient for the same date of service. Thus, if a provider vaccinates a beneficiary on any date between October 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, the provider may either bill Medicare immediately using CPT 90658, or hold the claim and wait until January 1, 2011 to bill Medicare using the most appropriate Q-code. If a claim has already been submitted and processed using CPT 90658, then there is no need to use the Q-code for that same service.  For dates of service on or after January 1, 2011, providers may only bill Medicare for one of the HCPCS codes that appropriately describes the specific vaccine product administered.
     • For dates of service on or after September 1, 2010, the corrected Medicare Part B payment allowance for CPT 90655 is $14.858.
     • Annual Part B deductible and coinsurance amounts do not apply to these vaccines.  All physicians, non-physician practitioners and suppliers who administer the influenza virus vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination must take assignment on the claim for the vaccine.
     • Be aware that Medicare contractors will not search their files to adjust payment on claims paid incorrectly prior to implementing CR7324. However, they will adjust such claims that you bring to their attention.

For additional information on providing the flu shot, see my previous post here.