State Now Reimburses for Counseling Patients in Public Programs on Immunizations

February 3, 2022

As of January 1, Medical Assistance and other Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) are now reimbursing for time spent counseling patients on immunizations.  

Physicians may counsel both in-person and via telehealth for COVID-19 vaccinations and standard vaccines. Physicians billing for vaccine counseling services must have the ability to administer the vaccine for which they are counseling. They cannot bill for vaccine counseling separately if the counseling is a required component of another service provided in the same visit. 

This change comes after data showed that Minnesotans covered by Medicaid/MHCPs have had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates during the pandemic. Children, adults younger than 50, members who live outside the Twin Cities metro area and those who identify as Black or Native American have significantly lower vaccination rates. 

Click here for the latest statewide COVID-19 vaccination rates for MHCP members. For more details on immunizations and vaccinations click here

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