Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: When the family physician collects blood samples and sends them to an outside lab for analysis, we-ve been getting denials. How can we prevent this?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: Your lack of success may have to do with your diagnosis coding or lack thereof. When the family physician procures blood samples for off-site lab work, you should report 36415 (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture) with the most specific ICD-9 codes you can apply -- don't expect the lab to provide the codes.

Some offices erroneously wait for lab results to assign diagnosis codes for blood tests. But because physicians can sometimes report services related to diagnostic lab tests, physicians need to provide the reason for the test. The documentation in the medical record provides that reason.

Note: According to Medicare Program Memorandum AB-01-144, the laboratory cannot assign a diagnosis code unless a physician interprets the results of the test.