The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends yearly flu vaccines for patients 6 months and older without vaccine contraindication. Providers may administer any U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, age‑appropriate flu vaccine. Review the current flu vaccine product table for the most recent updates on product availability and their approved age ranges.1
What flu vaccines are recommended this season?
For this flu season, providers may choose to administer any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4).
Vaccine options this season include:
- Standard dose flu vaccines.
- High-dose vaccines for people 65 years and older.
- Vaccines made with adjuvant for people 65 years and older.
- Vaccines made with virus grown in cell culture. No eggs are involved in the production of this vaccine.
- Vaccines made using a vaccine production technology (recombinant vaccine) that do not require having a candidate vaccine virus (CVV) sample to produce.
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). – A vaccine made with attenuated (weakened) live virus that is given by nasal spray.
- Find additional information here: Influenza Vaccination: A Summary for Clinicians
Important notes for this flu season1
- The composition of flu vaccines has been updated.
- All flu vaccines will be quadrivalent (four component), meaning designed to protect against four different flu viruses. For more information: Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine | CDC.
- Frequently asked questions regarding the Flu can be found here
Recommendations this Flu Season2
- Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older who do not have contraindications.
- Flu Vaccine should be ideally administered by the end of October but should continue to be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating locally, and unexpired vaccine is available.
- Approved dose volumes vary by age and product. An age-appropriate vaccine should be used at an appropriate dose.
- Persons who are pregnant or who might be pregnant during the influenza season should receive influenza vaccine.
- For more detailed recommendations visit the CDC website: Summary: ‘Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’
Coding Considerations
- Please file claims with correct coding*
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) coding chart recommends which billing code to use based on the vaccine administered. (This chart is not a comprehensive list.)
- Code descriptions are specific to the vaccine product.
- Code descriptions may include:
- Dosage amounts
- Distinctive features (i.e., preservative-free, split virus, recombinant DNA, cell cultures or adjuvanted).
* Correct coding requires services to be reported with the most specific code available that appropriately describes the service
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico can assist your provider office in identifying patients who may need a Flu Vaccine and/or COVID-19 vaccine/booster. If your practice requires any vaccine assistance or has general quality improvement inquiries, please email your inquiry to qualityinquiry@bcbsnm.com.
Non-emergency medical transportation is a benefit for Blue Cross Community CentennialSM members. It can help get patients to routine medical visits. Depending on location and condition, the types of transportation may be a car, van, taxi, or wheelchair- or lift-equipped vehicle. To Make a Reservation: 1-866-913-4342 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT.
Patients can earn Centennial Reward points for obtaining Flu/COVID-19 vaccines. For more information on the Centennial Rewards program, visit CentennialRewards.com or call 1-877-806-8964.
1 CDC, Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2022-2023 Season, Aug 30, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2022-2023.htm
2 CDC, Seasonal Influenza (Flu): Health Professionals, Aug. 30, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/summary/summary-recommendations.htm
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The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are required to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to third party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organizations. Any questions regarding those organizations should be addressed to them directly. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.
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