Skip to main content
Shop Plans Learn more about our coverage options including health, Medicare, dental and vision options for you, your family or your employees. Get Started Individual & Family Medicare Employer Vision Dental International Travel Find Care FAQ Blog Members Stay on top of your health care with helpful member resources. Members Home Medicare Health Dental Vision Find Care Member Knowledge Center Member Forms Medicare Forms Library Make a Payment Federal Employees Student Blue Healthy Blue Providers Access tools, policies and the latest information to help you care for our members. Providers Home Network Participation Networks & Programs Claims, Appeals & Inquiries Prior Authorization Services & CPT codes Prescription Drug Search Forms and Documents Policies, Guidelines & Codes Provider News Provider FAQ Contact Us Employers Learn about our coverage options for small and large employers, and access tools and resources for your group. Employers Home Shop Employer Plans Employer Portal Support Member Forms & Resources Find Care Blog Agents Access the tools you need: rate quotes, applications, forms, the latest industry news, marketing materials and more. Agents Home Agent Services Check Eligibility Find Care Member Forms & Resources Medicare Forms Library
Contact Us
Log In
I am ... Please select A member A provider An employer An agent
Log in to Agent Services
Log in to Employer Services Register for Employer Services I'm registered but need portal access
Username Forgot username? Continue to Log In Register for Blue Connect Need help? Learn how to log in.
Log in to Blue e Register for Blue e Log in to Dental Blue
Back
Provider Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccine Counseling September 13, 2021 Claims & Coding COVID-19

Sept. 13, 2021 Update: This communication has been reposted for further awareness. The original communication was posted on August 27, 2021.

This notice is a clarification of the appropriate coding for provider reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine counseling (CPT 99401) for vaccine-hesitant commercial members. This update is not a change in coverage, but rather provides details for providers as to how the service should be billed. Please note that this applies only to commercial membership. CPT 99401 is not covered for Medicare Advantage members. Please see messaging below.  

Key Details:

  • CPT 99401: Preventative medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual, up to 15 minutes may be used to counsel commercial members regarding the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.   
  • CPT 99401 can be billed at only one visit for each member per day, but there are not quantity limits for the number of times this education is provided to an individual member.   
  • Providers may bill CPT 99401 with ICD-10 code Z71.89 for no member cost-share.  
  • Providers are encouraged to counsel all members who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccination.  
  • This service can be provided by MD/DO, NP, PA, and/or CNM. 

For more information, click here to view the special bulletin from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.  

About Us Newsroom Blog Member Forms COVID-19 Transparency in Coverage Find Care Rights & Responsibilities Policies & Best Practices Privacy Policy Website User Agreement Fraud & Abuse Technical Information Contact Us Locations Careers

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.

Information in other languages: Español   中文   Tiếng Việt   한국어   Français   العَرَبِيَّة   Hmoob   ру́сский   Tagalog   ગુજરાતી   ភាសាខ្មែរ   Deutsch   हिन्दी   ລາວ   日本語

© 2025 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.