Billing and Coding: Tetanus Immunization

Tetanus is a neurologic syndrome caused by a neurotoxin elaborated at the site of injury by Clostridium tetani. Nearly all cases of tetanus occur in nonimmunized or inadequately immunized individuals. In the absence of an injury or direct exposure to tetanus, preventative immunization is not covered. Coding Guidance If the provider knows the service is non-covered or is not a Medicare benefit, the GY modifier must be appended to the CPT/HCPCS code indicating the item or service is statutorily non-covered or does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit. Documentation Requirements All documentation must be maintained in the patient’s medical record and made available to the contractor upon request. Every page of the record must be legible and include appropriate patient identification information (e.g., complete name, dates of service[s]). The documentation must include the legible signature of the physician or non-physician practitioner responsible for and providing the care to the patient. The submitted medical record must support the use of the selected ICD-10-CM code(s). The submitted CPT/HCPCS code must describe the service performed.