Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Which code should we use for drawing blood from an antecubital vein? If the child is under age 3, can we use CPT 36406 ?

Georgia Subscriber

 
Answer: The correct code for a routine blood draw from an antecubital vein is 36415 (routine venipuncture or finger/heel/ear stick for collection of specimen[s]). The nurse almost always performs this procedure. If the physician performs the blood draw, and the child is over age 3, report 36410 (venipuncture, child over age 3 years or adult, necessitating physicians skill [separate procedure], for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Not to be used for routine venipuncture). Access this code when the nurse is unable to obtain the specimen or the veins are very small, requiring a physicians expertise. If the child is under age3, you can also use 36406 (venipuncture, under age 3 years; other vein).