The Executive Suite: Billing Codes for COVID-19 vaccines

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Billing Codes for COVID-19 vaccines

Q: What billing codes do I use for the COVID-19 vaccines? And are there codes out yet for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

A: Yes, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced that the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set is being updated by the CPT Editorial Panel to include vaccine and administration codes that are unique to the COVID-19 vaccine candidate under development by Janssen Pharmaceutica, a division of Johnson & Johnson. To further support that effort, the AMA has made the new codes available in a machine-readable format as well.

The following Category I CPT code and long descriptor Janssen COVID-19 has been assigned:

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, 5x1010. viral particles/0.5mL dosage, for intramuscular use

The vaccine administration CPT code and long descriptor for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has also been assigned:

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, 5x1010 viral particles/0.5mL dosage, single dose

Short, medium and long descriptors for all the new vaccine-specific CPT codes can be accessed on the AMA website, along with several other recent modifications to the CPT code set that have helped streamline the public health response to the SAR-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease.

Questions on CPT coding and content should be directed to the CPT Network, the authoritative source for CPT coding answers. Also consult the AMA online library of COVID-19 CPT coding and guidance.

Here is the full list of COVID-19 vaccines and administration codes to date:

Renee Dowling is a billing and coding consultant with VEI Consulting in Indianapolis, Indiana. Send your coding questions to medec@mjhlifesciences.com.