CPT® Code 90747

The CPT® Code 90747 refers to the Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) specifically designed for patients who are undergoing dialysis or are immunosuppressed. This vaccine is administered in a 4-dose schedule via intramuscular injection. Unlike immune globulins, which offer short-term, passive immunity, vaccines like HepB 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. Consequently, the body retains the ability to generate these antibodies upon subsequent 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 hepatitis B vaccine is significant not only for its role in preventing the disease but also for its potential to avert long-term complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma, making it one of the pioneering cancer vaccines in clinical use. The vaccine can be derived from the blood plasma of asymptomatic carriers or synthesized through recombinant technology, where a plasmid containing the hepatitis gene is inserted into common baker's yeast. This yeast is then lysed, and the components are purified for use. It is important to note that the code 90747 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, 90740 for dialysis or immunosuppressed patients in a 3-dose schedule, 90743 for an adolescent 2-dose schedule, 90744 for pediatric/adolescent dosage in a 3-dose schedule, and 90746 for adult 3-dose schedule dosage.