Summary & Overview
CPT 90622: Smallpox Vaccine, Percutaneous 0.3 mL
CPT code 90622 denotes a percutaneous smallpox vaccine administered as a 0.3 mL dose. This immunization code is important nationally for public health preparedness, vaccination program billing, and management of rare but high-consequence infectious threats. Accurate coding ensures appropriate tracking of vaccine use, supports reimbursement for providers and public health entities, and aids in supply and utilization monitoring for emergency response planning.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coverage considerations across major commercial and federal payers, common modifiers used in billing workflows, and practical claims-handling context relevant to vaccine administration services. The publication outlines where this code is typically billed (outpatient clinics and public health vaccination settings), highlights billing nuances tied to percutaneous administration, and identifies areas where additional documentation may be required by payers. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 90622 represents a smallpox vaccine product administered percutaneously (through the skin) with a 0.3 mL dosage. The service type is vaccine administration for immunization against smallpox. The typical site of service is outpatient clinic or public health vaccination setting, where percutaneous vaccination techniques are performed by trained clinical staff.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old laboratory technician employed in a high-containment virology research facility presents to occupational health for pre-exposure immunization with a percutaneous smallpox vaccine (90622, 0.3 mL). The patient is screened for contraindications (e.g., eczema, immunosuppression, pregnancy) and counseled about local and systemic reactions. The vaccination is administered using a bifurcated needle technique percutaneously at a designated occupational health clinic or public health clinic. Post-vaccination, the site is observed for immediate reactions for 15–30 minutes, and the patient receives written aftercare instructions, documentation in the occupational health record and immunization registry, and scheduling for follow-up evaluation if needed for complications or verification of take (lesion progression). Typical sites of service include outpatient clinic, occupational health department, public health clinic, or an authorized federal vaccination center.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard service | Use when no special circumstances alter the basic service. |
22 | Increased procedural services |