CMS Releases H1N1 Vaccination Medicare Billing Guidance; IOM Panel Recommends Respirators for Health Care Workers - September 8, 2009

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance for hospitals and other providers regarding Medicare coverage and reimbursement of the H1N1 vaccine. According to the guidance, Medicare will pay for administration of the vaccine as an additional preventive measure for Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Administration of the vaccine will be paid at the rate established for seasonal influenza vaccine. Because the H1N1 vaccine will be available at no cost to providers, Medicare will not pay providers for the vaccine. In related news, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel has recommended that health care workers wear N95 respirators to protect against H1N1 virus, and has endorsed the CDC’s current H1N1 guidelines for health care workers, which require the use of respirators. CDC is considering revising its guidelines to permit the use of surgical masks in lieu of fitted respirators.