VAD blood draws payable in 2008 when performed alone

Why This Topic Matters

These updates affect how blood draw services from venous access devices are reported and whether they are separately payable under Medicare and CPT guidance. The article helps coders identify the current code structure for these services and understand the broader coding context for device-related specimen collection and declotting.

Article Sections

1. 2008 blood draw code changes for venous access devices

   Introduces the 2008 update for blood draws from venous access devices and explains the general coding and payment context.

2. Payment status and coding background

   Discusses the prior and current coding structure, including the reimbursement status context described in the article and the shift from the older code to new codes.

3. Clinical example and related PICC insertion codes

   Summarizes the clinical example associated with blood draws from a PICC and notes the related device insertion codes referenced for context.

4. Declotting code update

   Covers the related change to the declotting procedure code and its billing status context.