Question: What is the correct code for phlebotomy services (blood draw)? Answer: That depends - different codes apply based on the payer and the type of blood draw. But you can choose the right code every time by following these two simple steps: Remember that the lab can't code for the blood draw if you don't do it at the lab.
Nebraska Subscriber
1. Determine whether the patient is a Medicare beneficiary. If you are billing Medicare for your lab's services, you have only one code available for blood collection: G0001 (Routine venipuncture for collection of specimen[s]). Law mandates that Medicare cover venipuncture but does not require coverage for collection of a capillary blood specimen (such as a finger or heel stick).
2. Identify whether the blood collection was from a vein or capillary. There are only two codes to choose from when you bill blood collection services to a private payer: 36415 (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture) and 36416 (Collection of capillary blood specimen [e.g., finger, heel, ear stick]). Selecting the right code is as simple as knowing the source of the collected specimen.