Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Coding Policies and Guidelines (Laboratory)
Venipunctures and Lab
Handling (continued)
Collection and
handling of specimens
for Minnesota Health
Care Program
Subscribers only
If the lab is picking up the specimen, there is no handling cost
incurred and the clinic should not bill 99000.
The test that is being done from the specimen must be indicated on
the claim. This can be indicated by submission of the lab test code
with the -90 modifier (if you are billing for the test) or narrative
indicating the test code and/or name (done if lab will bill for test
instead of clinic). If this information is not present on the claim,
the charge will be denied if billed in addition to a venipuncture
code 36415.
For lab tests requiring routine venipuncture and subsequently sent
to an outside lab, the physician office may bill either the
venipuncture service or the handling charge, but not both
(i.e., 36415 or 99000).
Due to a benefit change dictated by the Minnesota Department of
Human Services effective for dates of service February 3, 2012
and after Blue Plus will no longer reimburse for the collection of
blood by venipuncture (CPT 36416), capillary (CPT 36415) or
access port (CPT 36591 and 36592) in conjunction with another
service for Minnesota Health Care Programs Subscribers. These
services (36415, 36416, 36591 and 36592) will be denied as
incidental, or included in a primary service when billed in
conjunction with another service.
Papanicolaou Smears The procedure codes, diagnosis codes, specimen collection codes
and handling fee that apply to Papanicolaou smears are detailed
below.
11-4
Procedure Codes
Codes 88142-88154, 88164-88167, 88174-88175, P3000, P3001,
G0123-G0124, and G0141, G0143-G0148 are for cytopathology
screening of cervical or vaginal smears. Submit the appropriate
code to reflect the service provided.
Procedure code 88141 and 88155 are used to report physician
interpretation of a cervical or vaginal specimen and should be
listed in addition to the screening code chosen when the additional
services are provided.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (03/23/12)