CPT 35870
Global 090 ActiveRepair vessel graft defect
CPT 35870 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 35870 (Repair vessel graft defect) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 23.89, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 4, and a malpractice RVU of 6.11, a total non-facility RVU of 34 and facility RVU of 34. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $1128.37, though rates vary from $988.8 to $1453.15 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 35870, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 35870 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 35870 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 35870
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 23.89 | 23.89 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 4 | 4 |
| Malpractice RVU | 6.11 | 6.11 |
| Total RVU | 34 | 34 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 35870
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1095.31 | $1095.31 | $1067.33 - $1187.76 | 29 |
| Florida | $1329.27 | $1329.27 | $1232.4 - $1453.15 | 3 |
| Georgia | $1170.78 | $1170.78 | $1160.38 - $1181.18 | 2 |
| Illinois | $1319.83 | $1319.83 | $1238.9 - $1406.17 | 4 |
| Michigan | $1210.64 | $1210.64 | $1150.33 - $1270.95 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $1053.01 | $1053.01 | $1053.01 - $1053.01 | 1 |
| New York | $1262.29 | $1262.29 | $1068.34 - $1386.85 | 5 |
| Ohio | $1125.64 | $1125.64 | $1125.64 - $1125.64 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $1154.16 | $1154.16 | $1113.45 - $1194.86 | 2 |
| Texas | $1123.43 | $1123.43 | $1095.91 - $1217.81 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 35870
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 35870 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0903T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0904T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 35870
What does CPT code 35870 mean? +
CPT code 35870 represents: Repair vessel graft defect. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 35870? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 35870 is $1128.37. Rates range from $988.8 to $1453.15 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 35870? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 35870? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on April 21, 2026.
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