Recently, the Ontario government announced that residents can now receive their immunizations including free flu shots and the updated COVID-19 vaccine at local pharmacies, public health units, and primary care providers across the province. This effort underscores the importance of vaccinations in protecting individuals and communities from severe illnesses, especially during the flu and respiratory virus season.
As physicians play a key role in delivering flu and COVID-19 vaccines, accurate billing is essential to ensure smooth operations and compliance with provincial guidelines. We’ve created a quick reference in collaboration with our partners at DoctorCare to help Ontario physicians refresh their knowledge of immunization billing codes. Download our guide here.
Highlights of the Immunization Guide
Our guide provides detailed instructions on how to bill for flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines and other immunizations. Key billing codes include:
- G590: Used for flu shot billing, applicable for both enrolled and non-enrolled patients.
- Q590: A premium for flu shots when administering the vaccine is the sole reason for the visit.
- G593: Specific to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Q593: A sole visit premium code for COVID-19 vaccine.
- Q130: A tracking code for influenza vaccinations in patients aged 65+.
The guide also offers tips for creating “Super Codes” in OSCAR Pro to streamline billing and improve efficiency for vaccination visits.
Breaking Down Medical Billing Complexities
Billing for vaccinations can be daunting, especially with varying codes for different scenarios. For example, a single flu shot visit may involve billing both the G590 and Q590 codes if no other services are provided. Our guide clarifies such scenarios, ensuring physicians avoid errors that could lead to billing disputes or delayed payments.
Similarly, for COVID-19 vaccinations, the G593 and Q593 codes account for the administration of the vaccine and the sole visit premium, respectively. Physicians should also use the Q130 tracking code for patients ages 65+ to help meet vaccination targets and qualify for incentives.
Our quick reference guide offers practical tips to help physicians navigate these requirements and streamline their workflows.
Tools to Simplify Immunization Billing
For OSCAR Pro users, creating “Super Codes” is a game-changer. These custom billing shortcuts allow you to bundle multiple billing codes for common scenarios, reducing manual input and ensuring accuracy. For instance, a single Super Code can combine G590, Q590, and Q130 for flu vaccinations in eligible patients.
Using Super Codes is especially helpful during the busy vaccination season when clinics see an increase in patient volume. By automating parts of the billing process, physicians can focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.
Why Accurate Medical Billing Matters
With the updated vaccines widely available, it’s more important than ever for physicians to ensure their services are billed correctly. This not only simplifies the administrative process but also guarantees proper compensation for care providers. Our guide equips physicians with everything you need to stay informed and compliant.
How to Access the Quick Reference Guide
Whether you’re a seasoned physicians or new to medical billing, this guide is an invaluable resource for navigating immunization billing this season. Download our guide here to learn how to bill for your immunizations this season.
For more information, feel free to reach out to use at help@oscarprodesk.ca.