Coding labs

Some charge the 36415 drawing fee as well as the cpt for the lab tests. Is this correct coding? We charge the drawing fee if we draw the blood but send the blood out and the lab bills the tests. thanks.

36415

you can only bill the 36415. the outside lab will bill the CPT® for the actual test. If you have your own lab, then you can bill both. or if the outside lab bills your facility and not the patient, then you can bill both also.

36415

One interpretation: Venipuncture Blood Collection: CPT Code 36415 - May only be billed once per visit despite number of tests ordered. Insurer will pay provider who performed the blood collection (i.e.: billed code 36415). The office must be sending sample to outside lab for processing. Payers consider the draw included in the lab test when an inoffice lab is performed. Having said that, some payers may reimburse both the draw and the in-office labs.

36415

If blood is being sent out, practices can bill the 36415. Some payors pay for a specimen collection fee with code 99000. I say some payors, not many, but some policies do allow that.

If blood tests are being done in house, that is in the office, 36415 is allowed one time. Makes sense: 36415 is venipuncture. One stick, many vials.