General Question for the Week of March 4, 2024

Question:

What are the specific criteria for determining when to use code 36591 versus 36592 for blood specimen collection, and how does the choice of code differ based on the type and location of the vascular access device?

Answer:

Use code 36591 alone to define a collection of a blood specimen from a completely implantable venous access device. Code 36592 should be used alone to define a collection of a blood specimen from a catheter, whether it be centrally or peripherally located. If drawing a blood specimen from an established arterial catheter, use code 37799.

TAGS: Coding, Interventional Radiology, Radiology

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