Coding Requirements for Laboratory Specimen Collection Update

Current CMS instructions found at Publication 100-04, Chapter 16, Section 60.1.4, need to be updated due to questions received from the Laboratory industry. This CR is necessary to correct coding in processing claims for laboratory specimen collection services. Current CMS instructions have a terminated code listed in the manual for the routine venipuncture for collection of specimen(s). Although the manual is being updated to reflect current coding requirements for the routine venipuncture for collection of specimen(s), there is no change in policy.  Since the fee schedules and systems were updated when the coding change occurred, there is no need to include any system or fee schedule updates. The code updated in the manual is 36415 Collection of venous blood by venipuncture.