Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes form a standardized, five-digit language used across the medical field for billing and documentation. These codes allow healthcare providers to uniformly describe the services, procedures, and products delivered to patients. CPT 90715 is a specific identifier designated for a particular vaccine product. This code, like others in the vaccine category, isolates the cost of the biological material from the professional service of giving the injection.
Defining the Tdap Vaccine Product
CPT 90715 represents the Tetanus, reduced Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine product, formulated for individuals seven years of age and older. This combination vaccine protects against three serious bacterial infections: tetanus (“lockjaw”), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The letters are intentionally lowercase because the vaccine contains lower concentrations of the diphtheria and pertussis components compared to the childhood DTaP vaccine, which helps reduce side effects in older recipients. The acellular pertussis component uses only fragments of the bacteria, further contributing to a lower side-effect profile. CPT 90715 covers only the cost of the vaccine material itself, including its manufacturing and distribution.
Recommended Use and Target Population
The clinical use of the vaccine represented by CPT 90715 is guided by recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). It is primarily recommended as a single booster dose for adolescents, preferably administered around ages 11 or 12. Adults who have never received Tdap should receive a single dose, followed by a booster of either Tdap or the Td vaccine every ten years. Vaccination is also recommended during every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation, to pass protective antibodies to the fetus. Tdap is also used in wound management if more than five years have passed since the last tetanus-containing vaccine.
Understanding Administration and Billing
CPT 90715 identifies the physical vaccine product but does not cover the service provided by the healthcare professional who administers the injection. Accurate medical billing requires the product code to be reported alongside a separate CPT code describing the administration service. This administration code covers the professional time, supplies, and effort involved in preparing and delivering the injection. For a single vaccine like Tdap, the administration is typically billed using a code such as CPT 90471. This dual-code billing structure is essential for insurance reimbursement, as different payers may cover the vaccine product and the administration service under separate benefits.