AdministrativeCommercialJune 22, 2023

Update for COVID-19 vaccine administration codes

In April 2023, we notified you that beginning with dates of service on or after July 1, 2023, reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration codes would be reduced.

Following our announcement, the American Medical Association (AMA) released new COVID-19 vaccine administration codes (see Table One below) with an effective date of April 18, 2023.

For dates of service on April 18, 2023, through June 30, 2023, Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) will reimburse the COVID-19 vaccine administration codes listed in Table One at the current rates established for other COVID-19 vaccine administration codes (see April 2023 letter for the list of other COVID-19 vaccine administration codes).

Beginning with dates of service on or after July 1, 2023, the codes listed in Table One below will be adjusted to align with the new COVID-19 vaccine administration code pricing, as previously communicated in the April 2023 letter, at rates equal to the rates established by Anthem for

non-COVID-19 vaccine administration (for example, flu). In the event new COVID-19 vaccine administration codes are released, these codes will be reimbursed at the established Anthem rates equal to the non-COVID-19 vaccine administration rates.

Table One

CPT®/HCPCS code 

Description/nomenclature 

0121A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation; single dose

0141A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, bivalent, preservative free, 25 mcg/0.25 mL dosage; first dose

0142A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, bivalent, preservative free, 25 mcg/0.25 mL dosage; second dose

0151A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 10 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation; single dose

0171A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 3 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation; first dose

0172A

Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 3 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation; second dose

CABC-CM-028341-23

PUBLICATIONS: July 2023 Provider Newsletter