CPT 36218
Global ZZZ ActivePlace catheter in artery
CPT 36218 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 36218 (Place catheter in artery) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of ZZZ. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.98, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 5.69, and a malpractice RVU of 0.21, a total non-facility RVU of 6.88 and facility RVU of 1.39. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $237.75, though rates vary from $199.6 to $314.15 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 36218, 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 36218 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
Add-on code (global concept does not apply)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 6 units of 36218 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 36218
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.98 | 0.98 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 5.69 | 0.2 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.21 | 0.21 |
| Total RVU | 6.88 | 1.39 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 36218
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 | $262.59 | $45.62 | $245.34 - $314.15 | 29 |
| Florida | $237.07 | $53.09 | $224.96 - $248.31 | 3 |
| Georgia | $222.49 | $47.55 | $210.62 - $234.35 | 2 |
| Illinois | $229.89 | $52.71 | $217.21 - $240.57 | 4 |
| Michigan | $221.07 | $48.88 | $214.17 - $227.96 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $214.53 | $43.45 | $214.53 - $214.53 | 1 |
| New York | $255.84 | $51.27 | $218.21 - $273.82 | 5 |
| Ohio | $213.32 | $45.9 | $213.32 - $213.32 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $226.68 | $47.07 | $213.83 - $239.53 | 2 |
| Texas | $226.54 | $46.01 | $212.2 - $240.09 | 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 36218
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 36218 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 |
| 36002 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36591 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36592 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 93050 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 96523 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0451T | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0452T | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0453T | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0454T | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 36218
What does CPT code 36218 mean? +
CPT code 36218 represents: Place catheter in artery. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of ZZZ.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 36218? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 36218 is $237.75. Rates range from $199.6 to $314.15 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 36218? +
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 36218? +
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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