Wiki coding labs

[fmshero1]

When coding labs and venipuncture my question is if the lab was drawn in the office and tested and read by the physician but the venipuncture was performed by outside lab should a modifier 26 be used on the lab code since that would be the only part we would be billing for?

 

[eberra]

You would not use a 26 modifier on the lab. If your office is performing the test, then just bill the test.

 

[tmorgan808]

If the outside lab is performing the venipuncture, but not actually performing any testing then they would bill the venipuncture code 36415. Your office would bill for lab tests that are actually performed in office and read by the physician. If the physician is only interpreting the results then you would use the modifier -26.