CMS recently responded to questions about home health agencies billing for the COVID-19 vaccine administration. The questions were taken during the final office hours call focused on pandemic questions held April 6.
Q: How should we bill for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to homebound patients?
CMS response: As far as the payment rates for administering the COVID vaccine to a Medicare beneficiary that is homebound, that would be paid at the $40 rate. The vaccination would be separately billed from the home health episode. … For home health beneficiaries particularly, it’s separately payable on Bill Type 34X (Medical and Other Health Services Not Covered Under the Plan of Care).
Q: Is that only if they have an active episode? What if they become inactive and they need their second dose?
CMS: If they are inactive, in the case of the COVID vaccine, you can still bill for that. You can bill for the administration separately. It’s just like the flu vaccine. A homebound patient does not need to be in episode for them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and be paid by Medicare.
Q: And can we give the vaccine to the caregiver or family member?
CMS: As far as a Medicare payment, if the caregiver were a Medicare beneficiary, Medicare would pay for the vaccine administration.