Question:
When caring for an infant in the NICU, can RT charge separately for a capillary blood draw for the specimen for an arterial blood gas? What is the appropriate CPT® code?
Answer:
Yes, RT can charge separately for the capillary blood draw. The applicable CPT code for the specimen collection is 36416 (collection capillary blood specimen).
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
CPT® copyright 2025 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.
Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
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