This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Influenza Vaccine

Influenza Vaccine

 

DESCRIPTION

Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each season. There are two types of influenza vaccine: the injection and the nasal spray. Influenza viruses are always changing. Each year scientists try to match the viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause the flu that year. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season. . The timing and duration of flu seasons vary. Although the flu season can begin as early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January or later.

The influenza injection is an inactivated (killed) vaccine given into the muscle. It is indicated for use in people six months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women.

The nasal spray influenza vaccine is a vaccine made with live, attenuated (weakened) influenza viruses that do not cause the flu. The nasal spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy people who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications and are not pregnant. Even people who live with or care for those in a high risk group can get the nasal spray flu vaccine as long as they are healthy themselves. The one exception is health care workers who care for people with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected hospital environment.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection for approximately one year.

 

POLICY

Inactivated influenza vaccine injection is indicated and considered medically necessary for active immunization of individuals *6 months of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine.

Inactivated influenza vaccine injection is not recommended for patients who have a history of hypersensitivity to egg proteins or other components of the vaccine, or life-threatening reaction to previous influenza vaccination.

Live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist®) or FluMist® Quadrivalent is indicated and considered medically necessary for active immunization of individuals 2-49 years of age against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine.

Neither FluMist® nor FluMist® Quadrivalent is recommended for patients who are pregnant, immunocompromised, actively wheezing, less than 5 years of age and currently wheezing, have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks prior to any influenza vaccination, or have asthma or other underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

Children 2-8 years not previously vaccinated with influenza vaccine should receive 2 doses of FluMist® or FluMist® Quadrivalent (0.2mL each at least 1 month apart). Children 2-8 years previously vaccinated with influenza vaccine should receive 1 dose (0.2mL) of FluMist® or FluMist® Quadrivalent. Children, adolescents, and adults 9-49 years should also receive 1 dose (0.2mL) of FluMist® or FluMist® Quadrivalent

For children ages 0 – 18 years, all flu vaccines must be provided and administered in the provider’s office to be covered.  Flu vaccines for children ages 0 – 18 years are not covered when purchased or administered at a pharmacy.

FluMist® or FluMist® Quadrivalent must be provided and administered in the provider’s office to be covered. FluMist® and FluMist® Quadrivalent are not covered when purchased or administered at a pharmacy.

*Refer to the Prescribing Information of the specific vaccine to be administered (i.e. Fluzone, Afuria, Fluvirin) for the approved ages, dosage, and administration.

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

Federal Employee Program (FEP)

State Health Plan (State and School Employees)

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

12/01/2010: Policy added. 

12/30/2010:  The scope of the policy was expanded to include inactivated influenza vaccine.  Policy title changed from “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (FluMist®)” to “Influenza Vaccine.” Policy statement updated to add information regarding the coverage of inactivated influenza vaccine. Policy statement updated to add the covered settings for vaccine administration. Added CPT codes 90655 – 90658 to the Code Reference section.

01/07/2013:  Added coverage guidelines for FluMist® Quadrivalent. Added the following new 2013 CPT code to the Code Reference section:  90672. 

 

SOURCE(S)

FluMist® Prescribing Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov

Inactivated influenza virus vaccine Prescribing Information

FluMist® Quadrivalent Prescribing Information

 

CODE REFERENCE

Covered Codes

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document. 

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

90660

Influenza virus vaccine, live, for intranasal use

90655 

Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, preservative free,
6-35 months dosage, for intramuscular or jet injection use (Added 12-30-2010)

90656

Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, preservative free,
when administered to individuals 3 years and older, for intramuscular use (Added 12-30-2010)

90657 

Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, 6-35 months dosage, for intramuscular or jet injection use (Added 12-30-2010)

90658

Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years and older, for intramuscular use (Added 12-30-2010)

90672

Influenza virus vaccine, quadrivalent, live, for intranasal use (New 01-01-2013)

ICD-9 Procedure

 

 

ICD-9 Diagnosis

 

 

HCPCS

 

 

 

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