ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

'Stick' in Notes Often IDs Venipuncture

Question: Encounter notes indicate that our nonphysician practitioner (NPP) performed a -femoral stick for lab analysis.- What code represents this service?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: When the NPP performs a femoral stick to obtain blood for analysis, it is considered a venipuncture procedure. On the claim, report 36415 (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture) for the venipuncture.