Blood Collection Fee - Venipuncture

Blood collection fees are the only collection fees covered for venipuncture. Collection of throat cultures, Pap smears, etc., are considered part of the office visit.

Benefits are only provided when laboratory services are sent to an independent laboratory. Modifier 90 should be used with the appropriate venipuncture procedure code to indicate that the blood was drawn in the office but sent to an outside laboratory for processing.

It is not appropriate to bill for or up-code an office visit due solely to the collection of a specimen.

Last Updated January 2010