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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesImmunization Administration for Vaccines/ToxoidsCPT cpt-90481-multicomponent-covid19-vaccine-intramuscular-add-on
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    CPT 90481: Multicomponent SARS–CoV–2 Vaccine Administration, Intramuscular

    CPT code 90481 describes administration of a multicomponent SARS–CoV–2 (COVID–19) vaccine by intramuscular injection as an add-on administration code for an additional vaccine component; this service represents vaccine administration and is typically performed as an intramuscular immunization in outpatient clinics, pharmacies, public health clinics, or similar ambulatory settings for patients receiving a multicomponent COVID‑19 vaccine.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A middle-aged adult presents to a primary care clinic or mass vaccination site for a COVID-19 vaccine booster. The patient is screened by nursing staff for contraindications, allergies, and recent illnesses. After informed consent and documentation of prior vaccine history, the provider (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or licensed nurse) administers an intramuscular injection of a multicomponent SARS–CoV–2 vaccine. During administration of a multi-component vaccine series that requires an additional component at the same visit, the provider documents use of the add-on administration code 90481. Observation for immediate adverse reaction (typically 15–30 minutes) follows, and vaccination details are recorded in the immunization registry and the medical record, including vaccine manufacturer, lot number, route, site, and the reason for the additional component when applicable.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    90471Immunization administration (one vaccine)Performed for single-component vaccine administration; used when only one vaccine dose is given without an additional component.
    90472Immunization administration (each additional vaccine)Used when multiple different vaccines are given at the same encounter; relates to additional injections beyond the primary one.
    90473Immunization administration by intranasal or oral routeAlternative route for vaccines; not for intramuscular SARS–CoV–2 administration but relevant when different routes are used.
    99401Preventive medicine counseling, individual, approximately 15 minutesCounseling related to vaccine benefits and risks may be provided and separately reported when criteria are met.
    99402Preventive medicine counseling, individual, approximately 30 minutesLonger counseling sessions that meet separate reporting requirements in addition to administration.

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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.,…
    27Modifier 27 indicates a separate, subsequent outpatient hospital E/M service provided to the same patient on the same date by a different provider in a hospital outpatient setting. It is a…- Use modifier -27 on facility (hospital outpatient/ambulatory service center) claims to report a subsequent, separate, and distinct outpatient E/M service provided to the same patient on the same…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208D00000X
    363L00000X
    363A00000X
    208000000X
    261QS0112X
    364SG0600X
    207ZP0105X

    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
    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
    Diagnosis of VaginitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Screening (Nongenetic)Oscar 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-90480-COVID19-VACCINE-IM-INJECTION-FIRST-DOSE

    CPT 90480: COVID-19 Vaccine, First or Only Intramuscular Dose

    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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