Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

36416 Coding Is a Maybe

Published on Thu Sep 06, 2012

Question: Can we bill separately for 36416, or is the collection included in the E/M code?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: A few private payers reimburse for 36416 (Collection of capillary blood specimen [e.g., finger, heel, ear stick]), but many consider it part of the billed procedure. Check with your payers to learn their guidelines.

Caution: Don't confuse 36416 with 36415 (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture). Medicare and other insurers typically will pay for 36415 because it is a more extensive service than 36416. The current rate is around $3.00, but those dollars can add up when multiplied by a large number of services. Be sure you know which collection method your technician performs before billing the encounter.

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