IV start and collection of venous blood

[Lisa Curtis]

Can 36415 be reported with an IV start? Would it require a modifier and if so, would that be -51?

[dabroussard]

Lisa

I just checked that in my Correct Coding Editor (CCE) and it isnt causing an edit or a modifier requirement.

[Lisa Curtis]

I didn't see one either. I'm running this around in circles in my head...I keep thinking that if you do the stick, draw the blood then place the IV in the same site, wouldn't that constitute multiple procedures and require a -51? I'm confusing myself...

[relong]

We start IV's for chemotherapy and draw blood. We bill out the lab draw and the administration codes. Are you giving an infusion or injection? There is no modifier needed unless you bill out multiple administration codes, some require a 59. The actual starting of the IV is include in the service in our case.

[Lisa Curtis]

They are actually doing an infusion, whether for hydration or treatment (in the Urgent Care setting). I think I am seeing this clearer now... Thanks for the help!

[DeeCPCPNH]

If you are billing from a facility standpoint and you are drawing blood from an established IV or lock then it is not a venipuncture by definition and you should not code 36415. The nursing service would add value to your facility level. If you draw blood from the vein directly that is a venipuncture and you can bill the 36415 code. If you can access CPT assistant or code correct you can find this informaiton there.

[Lisa Curtis]

Thank you for the help. The service is provided in our in-house urgent care. The nurse is actually puncturing the vein for the lab draw and then placing the IV cath for infusion (whether hydration or therapeutic, etc) as ordered by the UC physician.

[jmehalich]

If you are placing a cath for infusion you cannot bill 36415 in additon to the procedure code.

[brocha]

So if the procedure is IV infusion and it was decided to draw blood from the same catheter would you only use the IV infusion code?

[Scottie]

I thought that code 36415 was for drawing for multiple labs from one site when they would get 1 or more tubes of blood. I see this code all day long and so far we have not put any modifiers with it.