© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Venipuncture is a medical procedure that involves accessing a vein to obtain blood samples or administer medications. In the case of CPT® Code 36425, the procedure is specifically performed using a cutdown technique, which is particularly useful for accessing deep or small veins that may be difficult to puncture with a standard needle. The process begins with the preparation of the site to ensure a sterile entry point, which is crucial for preventing infections. During the procedure, a small incision, or nick, is made in the skin to expose the vein carefully. Once the vein is adequately visualized, a needle is inserted into it to collect the necessary blood samples or to deliver medications as required. This code is applicable for patients who are aged 1 year or older, distinguishing it from CPT® Code 36420, which is designated for venipuncture in children younger than 1 year. The cutdown method is particularly beneficial in situations where traditional venipuncture techniques may not be successful due to the size or depth of the vein.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Venipuncture using a cutdown procedure is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where standard venipuncture techniques may not be effective. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The venipuncture cutdown procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful access to the vein. Each step is outlined as follows:
Following the venipuncture cutdown procedure, appropriate post-procedure care is essential to ensure patient safety and comfort. The site of the incision should be monitored for any signs of bleeding or infection. A sterile dressing may be applied to protect the area and promote healing. Patients are typically advised to keep the site clean and dry, and to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased pain, swelling, or redness at the site. Recovery time may vary depending on the individual patient and the complexity of the procedure, but most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, barring any complications.
| Short Descr | VENIPUNCTURE CUTDOWN 1 YR/> | Medium Descr | VENIPUNCTURE CUTDOWN AGE 1 YR/> | Long Descr | Venipuncture, cutdown; age 1 or over | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 63 - Other non-OR therapeutic cardiovascular procedures |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | X1 | Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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