Routine Venipuncture

Routine Venipuncture Medicaid covers routine venipuncture performed for the purpose of obtaining a blood sample for laboratory testing as follows: A. Routine venipuncture must be billed with appropriate procedure code. B. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hospitals, and independent laboratories are covered one (l) for routine venipuncture only if the blood sample is drawn and all of it is referred to a separate, non-affiliated laboratory. If all or part of the sample is retained for a test to be performed in the facility where the venipuncture was performed, the physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hospitals, and independent laboratories are not covered for the venipuncture. C. EPSDT screening providers are covered for routine venipuncture when performed for lead screening and/or RPR screening only if the blood sample is drawn and all of it is referred to a separate, non-affiliated laboratory. If all or part of the sample is retained for a test to be performed in the facility where the venipuncture was performed, the provider is not covered for the venipuncture. D. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providers who are reimbursed an encounter rate are not covered separately for performance of routine venipuncture during the same encounter. E. Finger/heel/ear sticks that are performed for the purpose of collecting blood specimens or obtaining blood specimens via a partially or completely implantable venous access device are not covered. F. Dialysis facilities will not be reimbursed outside the composite rate.