Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

But remember these codes still aren't for routine services.

Expect to see a change to venipuncture codes 36400-36410, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

The codes currently specify that the venipuncture requires a physician's skill. The revision will change this to "physician or other qualified health care professional." The changes are shown below with the text that will be deleted crossed through and the text that will be added underlined:

36400, Venipuncture, younger than age 3 years, necessitating physician's the skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional, not to be used for routine venipuncture; femoral or jugular vein

• 36405, ... scalp vein
• 36406, ... other vein
• 36410, Venipuncture, age 3 years or older, necessitating physician's 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).

Note: See "E/M Update" on page 82 for more information on the definition of qualified health care professional. Code changes are not yet final, so bear in mind that revisions may still occur.