Medical Oncology Code Changes
ACOA’s Coding Corner – July 2006
Cancer Vaccine
A June 6, 2006 press release from Georgetown University Medical Center announced approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first cancer vaccine. Gardasil® is designed to block four (4) strains of the human papilloma virus, two of which account for nearly three-fourths of cervical cancer cases. Codes for this vaccine include:
90649 Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, types 6, 11, 16, 18 (quadrivalent), 3 dose schedule, for intramuscular use
90471 Immunization administration (includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections); one vaccine (single or combination vaccine/toxoid)
Remember that although there are codes to report this service, reimbursement may vary based on individual payor policy. Merck indicates that the catalog price for Gardasil® will be $120 per dose.
Learn more about these vaccines by visiting the Merck and Gardasil® websites:
www.gardasil.com
www.merck.com
Watch for more coding changes in the upcoming months. Review previous Coding and Reimbursement Updates.
This Coding and Reimbursement Update was prepared by:
Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
Coding Strategies, Inc.
Phone: (877) 6CODING
Fax: (770) 445-0407
[email protected]
www.codingstrategies.com
Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
principal and co-founder of Coding Strategies, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Cindy is a current member of the Advisory Board for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and a faculty instructor for AMA Solutions, a subsidiary of the American Medical Association. She serves as the Consulting Editor of the Radiology Coding Alert and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of General Surgery Coding Alert and Pain Management Coding Alert.