Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: The CPT book includes a note under 36592 stating, "do not report 36592 in conjunction with any other service." Does that mean that when we report a lab test such as a CBC, we should not also report the blood draw?

Answer: You should be able to report the blood draw and lab service together, unless a payer specifies otherwise. In fact, CPT 2011 updates the text note you mentioned so that it now states, "do not report 36592 in conjunction with other services except a laboratory service."

Medicare's Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits do not bundle 36592 (Collection of blood specimen using established central or peripheral catheter, venous, not otherwise specified) and CBC code 85025 (Blood count; complete [CBC], automated [Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC and platelet count] and automated differential WBC count).

CPT Changes 2008: An Insider's View describes a typical 36592 service, which includes taking a history, completing the blood draw (drawing one syringe to discard and a second for the specimen), flushing the line, and labeling and packing the specimen for transport to the lab.

Caution: Coders report that some other payers' edits do bundle 36592 and 85025, however. In those cases, you should report only the lab service (85025).