CPT® Code 90740

The CPT® Code 90740 refers to the Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) specifically designed for patients who are undergoing dialysis or are immunosuppressed. This vaccine is administered in a three-dose schedule via intramuscular injection. Unlike immune globulins, which offer short-term, passive immunity, vaccines like the Hepatitis B vaccine provide active, long-term immunity. This is achieved by exposing the recipient's immune system to altered forms of the hepatitis B virus, prompting the immune system to produce its own antibodies. As a result, the body retains the ability to generate these antibodies upon future exposure to the virus, thereby offering protection against hepatitis B, a chronic and potentially serious liver disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The vaccine is significant not only for its role in preventing hepatitis B but also for its potential to avert long-term complications associated with the disease, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, making it one of the pioneering cancer vaccines in clinical use. The Hepatitis B vaccine can be derived from the blood plasma of asymptomatic carriers or produced through recombinant technology, where a plasmid containing the hepatitis gene is inserted into baker's yeast. This yeast is then lysed, and the components are purified for use in the vaccine. It is important to note that the code 90740 specifically reports the Hepatitis B vaccine product for intramuscular use, while the actual injection procedure is reported separately. Other related codes include 90739 for adult dosage in a 2-dose or 4-dose schedule, 90743 for an adolescent 2-dose schedule, 90744 for pediatric/adolescent dosage in a 3-dose schedule, 90746 for adult 3-dose schedule dosage, and 90747 for dialysis or immunosuppressed patients in a 4-dose schedule.