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July 31, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Vaccine Compensation Has Center for Medicare Services, AAP at
Odds"
Infectious Diseases in Children (www.idinchildren.com) (07/02)
Vol. 15, No. 7, P. 33; Bechtel, Bryan
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is concerned that
payment levels for vaccine administration will be too low because
they are not being given high enough scores in the Center for
Medicare Services' (CMS) relative value system. The organization
says that many pediatricians are losing money under the current
values. Vaccine awards have fallen as much as 60 percent,
according to the AAP. The organization feels that the codes do
not account for patient consultation, chart reviewing, and
creation of vaccine schedule time. Although the AAP feels the
payments levels could discourage doctors from offering
immunizations, CMS officials say that they have to adhere to
congressional guidelines.
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