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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesImmunization Administration for Vaccines/ToxoidsCPT cpt-90480-covid19-vaccine-im-injection-first-dose
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    CPT 90480: COVID-19 Vaccine, First or Only Intramuscular Dose

    CPT code 90480 describes the administration of the first or only component of a SARS–CoV–2 (COVID–19) vaccine by intramuscular injection, a vaccine administration service typically performed in outpatient clinical settings such as physician offices, clinics, and vaccination sites to reduce a patient’s risk of contracting COVID–19; this CPT code represents the clinical act of giving the initial intramuscular COVID–19 vaccine dose and is used to document and bill that specific administration service.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Abortion Services, Prolonged Services for Labor Management, Prolonged Services for Labor Management.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic during a seasonal vaccination drive requesting protection against SARS–CoV–2. The patient is screened for contraindications and vaccine history, consents to immunization, and is assigned to a medical assistant or nurse for administration. The provider documents vaccine manufacturer, lot number, expiration date, route (intramuscular), anatomical site (typically deltoid), and the VIS version and date in the medical record. The encounter includes verification of eligibility, counseling on common side effects, observation time as indicated, and electronic or paper reporting to the state immunization registry. Billing uses 90480 for the first or only administered COVID-19 vaccine component; vaccine product and administration supplies are reported separately when required by payer policies. Typical sites of service are outpatient primary care offices, community vaccination clinics, pharmacies (when clinic-based providers administer), and federally qualified health centers. A realistic workflow: patient check-in → screening and consent → vaccine preparation → administration using 90480 → post-vaccination observation and documentation → billing and immunization reporting.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    90471Immunization administration (single vaccine) by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal injection; first doseAlternate vaccine administration code used when billing non-COVID vaccines or when payer requires standard immunization administration codes instead of vaccine-specific codes.
    90472Each additional vaccine component, intramuscular/subcutaneous/intradermal (List separately in addition to code for primary vaccine)Used when multiple vaccine components are administered in the same visit (e.g., multi-component COVID-19 series billed alongside 90480 for first component).
    90658Influenza virus vaccine, quadrivalent, split virus, preservative free, for intramuscular useExample of a vaccine product code that may be administered during the same visit; product codes for vaccine doses are reported in addition to administration codes according to payer policy.
    0011ACOVID-19 vaccine, mRNA, spike protein, preservative-free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dose, 1st doseProduct-specific vaccine code (example) that represents the vaccine drug; reported separately from 90480 when required for inventory and reimbursement.
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., bandages, gauze), used during patient care, not included with the procedureUsed to report expendable supplies when payer allows separate supply reimbursement in addition to the vaccine administration code.

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    97Modifier 97 is an informational modifier used with therapy CPT codes to indicate services are rehabilitative — intended to restore skills or function lost due to illness, injury, or disability. It is…- Use modifier 97 when reporting therapy services that are rehabilitative in nature — i.e., provided to restore skills or function lost or impaired because of illness, injury, or disability (for…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208D00000X
    208000000X
    363LP0808X
    367500000X
    322D00000X
    261QV0200X
    246ZG0701X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    Z00.00Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
    Z00.01Encounter for general adult medical examination with abnormal findings
    Z00.129Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings
    Z00.6Encounter for examination for normal comparison and control in clinical research program
    Z00.8Encounter for other general examination
    Z02.0Encounter for examination for admission to educational institution
    Z02.89Encounter for other administrative examinations
    Z09Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for conditions other than malignant neoplasm
    Z20.822Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19
    Z23Encounter for immunization

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Abortion ServicesNew Mexico Health Care Authority2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Uterine FibroidsColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Obstetrical Home Care ProgramsAmbetter Georgia2026-11-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Massachusetts2026-10-01
    Cervical Cancer ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Testing for Fetal AneuploidyOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-90460-SINGLE-LIVE-ATTENUATED-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION-PEDIATRIC

    CPT 90460: Administration of Single Live Attenuated Vaccine, ≤18 Years

    CPT-90461-ADDITIONAL-LIVE-ATTENUATED-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION-PEDIATRICS

    CPT 90461: Additional Live Attenuated Vaccine Administration, Pediatrics

    CPT-90471-LIVE-ATTENUATED-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    CPT 90471: Live Attenuated Vaccine Administration

    CPT-90472-ADDITIONAL-VACCINE-INJECTION

    CPT 90472: Vaccine Injection, Subsequent Dose

    CPT-90473-LIVE-ATTENUATED-INTRANASAL-OR-ORAL-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    CPT 90473: Live Attenuated Intranasal or Oral Vaccine Administration

    CPT-90474-ADDITIONAL-LIVE-ATTENUATED-VACCINE-ORAL-INTRANASAL-ADMINISTRATION

    CPT 90474: Additional Live Attenuated Vaccine, Oral or Intranasal

    CPT-90481-MULTICOMPONENT-COVID19-VACCINE-INTRAMUSCULAR-ADD-ON

    CPT 90481: Multicomponent SARS–CoV–2 Vaccine Administration, Intramuscular

    CPT-90482-IMMUNIZATION-COUNSELING-NO-VACCINE-ADMINISTERED

    CPT 90482: Immunization Counseling, 3–10 Minutes

    CPT-90483-IMMUNIZATION-COUNSELING-NO-ADMINISTRATION-10-20-MIN

    CPT 90483: Immunization Counseling, 10–20 Minutes

    CPT-90484-IMMUNIZATION-COUNSELING-NO-VACCINE-ADMINISTERED

    CPT 90484: Immunization Counseling >20 Minutes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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