CPT 36215
Global 000 ActivePlace catheter in artery
CPT 36215 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 36215 (Place catheter in artery) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of 000. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 4.07, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 27.17, and a malpractice RVU of 0.62, a total non-facility RVU of 31.86 and facility RVU of 5.63. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $1103.55, though rates vary from $926.15 to $1470.61 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 36215, 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 36215 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
Endoscopic or minor procedure with related preoperative and postoperative work performed on the same day
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 6 units of 36215 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 36215
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 4.07 | 4.07 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 27.17 | 0.94 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.62 | 0.62 |
| Total RVU | 31.86 | 5.63 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 36215
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 | $1225.87 | $189.19 | $1143.98 - $1470.61 | 29 |
| Florida | $1086.78 | $207.76 | $1034.64 - $1133.02 | 3 |
| Georgia | $1026.68 | $190.88 | $970.12 - $1083.24 | 2 |
| Illinois | $1052.87 | $206.33 | $996.86 - $1105.59 | 4 |
| Michigan | $1017.23 | $194.57 | $987.87 - $1046.6 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $995.87 | $178.47 | $995.87 - $995.87 | 1 |
| New York | $1182.95 | $205.57 | $1012.63 - $1262.12 | 5 |
| Ohio | $985.37 | $185.48 | $985.37 - $985.37 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $1048.2 | $190.06 | $988.6 - $1107.8 | 2 |
| Texas | $1049.36 | $186.84 | $981.01 - $1114.7 | 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 36215
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 36215 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01916 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 01924 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 01925 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 01926 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 35201 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 35206 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 35226 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 35231 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 36215
What does CPT code 36215 mean? +
CPT code 36215 represents: Place catheter in artery. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of 000.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 36215? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 36215 is $1103.55. Rates range from $926.15 to $1470.61 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 36215? +
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 36215? +
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 May 31, 2026.
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