The AMA (American Medical Association) announced new CPT codes to reflect the current monkeypox situation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the US currently leads as the most affected country, but the European region leads with the majority of reported cases. Global confirmed and probable cases continue to rise in the majority of regions around the world. As a result, monkeypox was declared a public health emergency of international concern on July 21, 2022 by the WHO. 
American providers have seen an increase in the need for tests and vaccines to combat this new health emergency. The CPT codes were announced on July 26, 2022 and are effective immediately. Billers should be aware of this update and use them accordingly.
The new monkeypox billing codes and descriptors include:
- 87593 Laboratory test code. Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); orthopoxvirus (eg, monkeypox virus, cowpox virus, vaccinia virus), amplified probe technique, each
- 90622 Product code. Vaccinia (smallpox) virus vaccine, live, lyophilized, 0.3 mL dosage, for percutaneous use
- 90611 Product code. Smallpox and monkeypox vaccine, attenuated vaccinia virus, live, non-replicating, preservative free, 0.5 mL dosage, suspension, for subcutaneous use
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