Changes to Codes 36591 and 36592

Among the changes in CPT for 2011, there is an important revision to codes that had been confusing to hospital coders. Specifically, codes 36591, Collection of blood specimen from a completely implantable venous access device, and 36592, Collection of blood specimen using established central or peripheral catheter, venous, not otherwise specified, contained a parenthetical note to not report these codes with any to other service. That parenthetical note has been revised to allow the reporting of these codes in conjunction with a laboratory service. ...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AHA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This short article explains a CPT update that was intended to clarify reporting for blood specimen collection services in a hospital coding context. It is relevant to hospital coders, billing staff, and compliance teams who need to understand the scope of the 2011 change and how it fits within broader CPT reporting guidance for laboratory-related services.

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate understanding of CPT revisions helps reduce coding confusion and supports consistent reporting practices for specimen collection and laboratory workflows in institutional settings.

What You Will Learn

  • The article’s focus within the 2011 CPT update cycle
  • How a parenthetical note change affected reporting guidance
  • Why the revision was significant for hospital coding workflows
  • How the discussion relates to laboratory service reporting

Who Should Read This

  • Hospital coders
  • Medical billing staff
  • Compliance professionals
  • Coding educators
  • Revenue cycle personnel

Codes Discussed

  • CPT: 36591
  • CPT: 36592

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