CPT code 35531: Visceral bypass, aortoceliac or aortomesenteric2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,770.25 for 35531 nationally in a facility.

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

What 35531 covers

Code 35531 represents open arterial revascularization using a vein conduit from the aorta to either the celiac artery or a mesenteric artery. Vascular surgeons may use this configuration for visceral arterial occlusive disease, including chronic mesenteric ischemia, when restoring inflow to the affected territory is indicated. The operative report should identify the aortic inflow, the celiac or mesenteric outflow target, and the vein graft used; a different target vessel or conduit changes code selection.

Select the code based on the documented destination and vein conduit, with operative details supporting the graft route and anastomoses. CMS assigns a 90-day major-surgery global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, payment is at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeons require 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 35531 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

35531 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 35531 rate is calculated

Each of 35531’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 35531

35531 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

35531 compared with similar codes

How to choose

35631Aortic bypassCeliac, mesenteric, and renal targets

Both codes describe an aortoceliac or aortomesenteric bypass. Choose 35531 for a vein conduit and 35631 for a conduit other than vein.

35535Renal artery bypassHepatic artery inflow, vein graft

35535 identifies a hepatorenal bypass, not a bypass from the aorta to the celiac or mesenteric artery.

35536Arterial bypassSplenorenal vein graft

35536 is for a splenorenal bypass. The destination vessels, rather than the general visceral revascularization purpose, distinguish it from 35531.

35560Renal bypassAorta-to-renal, vein graft

35560 describes an aortorenal vein bypass. Use 35531 when the documented outflow target is celiac or mesenteric rather than renal.

Codes related to 35531

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