Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: How do I code for venipuncture when the anesthesiologist is called to perform a difficult stick?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: CPT^® answers this question by having expansive descriptors for two common venipuncture codes. Choose the appropriate code based on the patient’s age:

• 36400 (Venipuncture, younger than age 3 years, necessitating the skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional, not to be used for routine venipuncture; femoral or jugular vein;) by including the distinction of necessitating the skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional, CPT® clarifies that this code is for special circumstances, not routine sticks. The same logic also applies to indented codes 36405 (... scalp vein) and 36406 (... other vein). Even with the provider-specific wording, you’ll still be reimbursed 2 units for the code.
• 36410 (Venipuncture, age 3 years or older, necessitating the skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional (separate procedure), for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (not to be used for routine venipuncture)); this code applies to anyone over age 3, not just young children or adults.

You might also have reason to submit 99024 (Postoperative follow-up visit, normally included in the surgical package, to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) related to the original procedure) if your provider checks on the patient during subsequent days. Include any documentation of what service your provider offered and why.