Health Insurance Companies Process 1 in 5 Claims Wrong.

Pediatricians Say No To Nasal Flu Vaccine

Baby gets their first flu shot

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new flu vaccine guidelines which DO NOT recommend giving the painless nasal FluMist influenza vaccine for kids this year.

What is FluMist?

FluMist is an ouchless influenza vaccine you squirt into each nostril. No shot, no pain and no crying children.

The child-friendly nasal spray flu vaccine accounts for about one-third of all the flu vaccine given to children according to the CDC.

Kids hate needles and parents have used the FluMist as an alternative to their child getting stuck in the arm with a needle so they wouldn’t have to deal with a screaming kid.

Well, those days are gone. There won’t be much of a choice this year and children are going to have to get the shot. I can hear the crying now.

Hopefully, parents will not back down giving their child a shot when they learn that the nasal spray is not available because and they don’t want their tiny tot to cry. Please don’t tell your kids the shot doesn’t hurt.

Why get a flu shot?

The flu kills an estimated 3,000 to 49,000 people a year. And that is just in the United States according to a CDC report. The flu affects children and the elderly the hardest. The CDC says the flu vaccine protects against influenza viruses that researchers think will be most common during the upcoming flu season.

Why the recommendation from the AAP?

Studies showed that the FluMist only reduced the risk of getting influenza by 3 percent over the last few years according to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Pediatric Practices (ACIP).

Hopefully, pediatricians will not run out of the pediatric flu vaccine since medical practices ordered their supply of influenza vaccine last spring.

Who should get a flu shot? All children 6 months and older according to the AAP for the 2016-17 flu season.

Child gets the Influenza VaccineHow is the pediatric flu shot billed?

For children 6 months old to 8 years old that have never received a flu shot, typically two shots are needed. The second shot comes 30 days after the first. Once this initial series of flu shots are done, you need only one shot a year.

Insurance should pay for both the initial flu shot and the flu shot given 30 days later. If your insurance company does not want to pay for the second shot give them a quick call. Usually that is all it takes to get it paid.

Here are the codes used to bill the flu shot

90471 Immunization administration (includes percutaneous, intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections); 1 vaccine (single or combination vaccine/toxoid)

Use the age appropriate codes as needed.
90657 Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to children 6-35 months of age, for intramuscular use
Or
90658 Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use

The ICD-10 diagnosis code for the flu vaccine is Z23, Encounter for Immunization

Here are some resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC

Print Post & Download PDF

So will your child get the flu shot? Leave me a note in the comment section below.

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 thoughts on “Pediatricians Say No To Nasal Flu Vaccine”

  1. blank
    Michelle Costarella

    I need help marketing the Full Service Medical Billing Company that I need to promote. Do you have any tips or know where I may find some? I would really appreciate it. I have never done this and my boss thinks I should just walk into doctor’s office with no appointment and ask to speak with the doctor.

    Thank you,
    Michelle Costarella

    1. blank

      Michelle we have tried cold calling but found it to be a big waste of time. What works for us as a national billing company is digital marketing. Focus on your website, write blog posts, participate in social media and help others.

Learn how to outsource your Medical Billing today

CALL NOW 703-327-1800

Client Testimonials

Bob Laird
OBGYN COO

I would recommend Capture Billing to anyone who needs a billing company they can trust.

Bob Laird

Steve Rex
Family Practice

In a six-month period Capture Billing increased our Practice’s income by over $100,000.

blank

Julie Reed-Humeniuk
Family Practice

Capture Billing goes over and beyond the call of duty for clients to maximize reimbursement.

blank
Scroll to Top