CPT code 35361: Arterial endarterectomy, aorta2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 35361 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 35361 covers

A vascular surgeon uses this code for open removal of obstructive atherosclerotic material from the aorta to improve its channel for blood flow. A patch graft may be used to repair or enlarge the vessel after plaque removal and is included in the service. The procedure is generally performed in an operating room, commonly in a hospital facility, for significant aortic occlusive disease requiring surgical treatment.

Select this code when the treated artery is the aorta; an aortoiliac procedure or endarterectomy of another named artery belongs to a different code. The operative report should identify the aorta as the treatment site and document plaque removal and any patch repair. This is major surgery with a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care for 90 days. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 35361 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 35361 rate is calculated

Each of 35361’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 35361

35361 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

35361 compared with similar codes

How to choose

35331Arterial endarterectomyAortoiliac segment

Choose 35361 for aortic thromboendarterectomy. Choose 35331 when the operation treats the aortoiliac segment.

35321Arterial endarterectomyAxillary-brachial artery

35321 is for iliac artery treatment; 35361 is for treatment of the aorta.

35301Arterial endarterectomyCarotid, vertebral, or subclavian

35301 applies to the carotid, vertebral, or subclavian territory, while 35361 applies to the aorta.

Codes related to 35361

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates