Programs

Immunization

Every month the New York State Bureau of Immunization offers a webinar that is recorded and then posted to their web page. In the future they plan to provide continuing education with each webinar but at this time they do not.

Provider Training and Education link:
http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/immunization/providers/training_and_education.htm

Please see Immunization Update Webinar Series -  recorded versions of past webinars:
http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/immunization/providers/webinar_series.htm

New Immunization Administration Codes

Member,

I’m contacting you to make you aware of new immunization administration codes for children and adolescents through 18 years of age that went into effect on January 1, 2011. These new codes  significantly increase reimbursement for the administration of vaccines by allowing for billing for each component of a vaccine using new codes 90460 and +90461.  Thus, for instance, with these new codes when billing for the administration of MMR vaccine, one would bill 90460, +90461, +90461 (essentially billing 3 times since there are 3 components to the vaccine).  Thus, one of our local commercial insurers has told us that they will be paying $277 for the administration of 5 vaccines at the 12 month check up instead of the $72 that they had been reimbursing previously for administration of these vaccines.  The only caveat for using the codes is that providers or RNs (not LPNs or medical assistants) must document that they educated the parent (or the patient if he/she is 18 years old) about the vaccinations being ordered, the most common side effects associated with the vaccines, and have answered any questions that they may have about the vaccinations.

All of the commercial insurers in the Rochester area have adopted use of the new codes, and I’m sure the same is the case throughout the rest of the state.  In our area, most Medicaid managed care plans have also adopted them.  However, because of a recent AAP alert (see below) regarding lack of adequate CDC funding to state VFC programs at the present time to support VFC payment of the enhance immunization administration fees, some Medicaid managed care and Child Health Plus plans and Fee-For-Service Medicaid have delayed adopting the use of the new codes.

Additional information about the new billing codes can be found at: http://practice.aap.org/popup.aspx?aID=2980&print=yes&isKeyContent=0

Stanley J. Schaffer, M.D., M.S.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Director, WNY Lead Poisoning Resource Center - Rochester Office
Golisano Children's Hospital
University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 777
Rochester, NY  14642
Phone: (585) 275-0267
Fax: (585) 273-1037

Update on future availability of Tripedia and TriHIBit

In 2011, Sanofi Pasteur will discontinue the supply of Tripedia® (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed) and TriHIBit® (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate]-ActHIB® reconstituted with Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed-Tripedia) in an effort to support their other DTaPa and Hibb products. Supplies are expected to last through Q2 2011 however, this is subject to change based on fluctuations in demand. Sanofi is sending Dear Doctor letters to communicate this information directly to providers (see attachment for draft of the Dear Provider letter).

Sanofi Pasteur continues to offer a full line of DTaP and Hib products, including Pentacel® (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed, Inactivated Poliovirus and Haemophilus b Conjugate [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate] Vaccine), DAPTACEL® (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed), and ActHIB® (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate]).

Click here for more information (pdf)

Pre-book your Influenza Vaccine for 2011-2012
Please note that pre-booking of Vaccines for Children (VFC) influenza vaccine for the 2011-2012 flu season will not occur until Summer 2011. Please call (518) 474-4578 for any questions about the VFC Program.

Prebook Vaccine Info – Hospital (pdf)

Prebook Vaccine Info – All Other Providers (pdf) 

AAP - Member Center

http://www.aap.org/moc/indexEntry.cfm

Click here (pdf)

Immunization Education Project

The Foundation has received funding from the NYS Health Department for the past 9 years to develop and deliver educational and information programs to family physicians regarding vaccine safety and immunization. The amount of funding has declined over the years. The current grant is for $15,000. The Foundation has produced educational programs for the NYSAFP annual Winter Weekend & Scientific Assembly and for the NYSAFP Regional Family Medicine Conference. We have also produced separate immunization conferences and a tool kit to assist family physicians in determining whether including immunization in their practice would be cost effective.

Immunization Toolkit (DOC)