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CPT code 36015: Pulmonary catheterization, segmental or subsegmental branch2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports selective catheter placement in a segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery, typically to support pulmonary angiography or catheter-directed treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality8K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $920.43 for 36015 in the office and $160.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$920.43Office (non-facility)
$160.26Hospital or facility
+15.9%vs the national office rate ($794.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36015 nationwide

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

We’ll open 36015 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 36015 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 36015 covers

This service involves advancing a catheter beyond the left or right pulmonary artery into a segmental or smaller pulmonary arterial branch. Cardiologists and interventional radiologists may perform it during pulmonary angiography or catheter-directed treatment, including procedures addressing pulmonary emboli. The code represents the catheter placement into the distal branch, rather than the imaging interpretation or the therapeutic work performed through the catheter.

Report the code when the record identifies selective catheter placement in a segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery; document the side and branch reached. Distinguish this distal placement from catheter positioning in the main pulmonary artery or a left or right pulmonary artery. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. For bilateral reporting with modifier 50, CMS pays this procedure at 150%.

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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 36015

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36015 runs from $692.76 in Arkansas to $1,092.59 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $920.43. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36015 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$920.43
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$914.91−$5.52
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$846.51−$73.92
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$819.59−$100.84
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$918.69−$1.74
  6. Alaska · Alaska$887.18−$33.25
  7. Alabama · Alabama$704.21−$216.22

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

36015 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$692.76$138.44
ArizonaArizona$771.34$146.04
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$853.76$146.50
Chico, CACalifornia$852.33$145.08
El Centro, CACalifornia$852.42$145.16
Fresno, CACalifornia$852.33$145.08
Hanford, CACalifornia$852.33$145.08
Madera, CACalifornia$852.33$145.08

36015 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$692.76

$972.46

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
36015 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$887.181
AL$704.211
AR$692.761
AZ$771.341
CA$852.33–$1,092.5929
CO$834.541
CT$851.101
DC$920.431
DE$785.231
FL$773.30–$846.513
GA$725.74–$808.522
GU$878.311
HI$878.311
IA$727.991
ID$732.551
IL$745.75–$825.634
IN$737.411
KS$722.441
KY$719.211
LA$717.26–$757.342
MA$827.95–$925.912
MD$802.04–$920.433
ME$734.99–$782.262
MI$738.64–$782.272
MN$802.001
MO$702.26–$762.453
MS$697.751
MT$794.241
NC$743.901
ND$784.551
NE$732.991
NH$819.441
NJ$861.49–$908.772
NM$742.481
NV$792.201
NY$756.23–$941.045
OH$736.661
OK$719.611
OR$786.76–$865.582
PA$738.95–$826.702
PR$801.331
RI$816.581
SC$741.381
SD$783.411
TN$726.301
TX$733.38–$831.138
UT$752.781
VA$778.18–$920.432
VI$801.331
VT$779.551
WA$827.02–$947.642
WI$755.071
WV$714.391
WY$790.021

See 36015 in every payment locality

How the 36015 rate is calculated

Each of 36015’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.

How the rate is built · 36015

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.42

3.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense19.87

19.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.49

0.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

23.7800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$794.27

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,438

Code
36015
Physician work
3.42
Practice expense
19.87
Malpractice
0.49

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 36015 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.42× 1.0543.6047
Practice expense19.87× 1.17823.4069
Malpractice0.49× 1.1130.5454
Total RVUs27.5569
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$920.43

Office: (3.42 × 1.054 + 19.87 × 1.178 + 0.49 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $920.43

Facility: (3.42 × 1.054 + 0.55 × 1.178 + 0.49 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $160.26

Open 36015 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36015

The CMS indicators that decide how 36015 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36015

Pulmonary catheterization, segmental or subsegmental branch

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

36015 without 50 · national office

$794.27

Pulmonary catheterization, segmental or subsegmental branch

36015-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,191.41

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 36015

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

Codes related to 36015
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
36013Pulmonary catheter placement, right heart or main pulmonary arteryCatheter placement in the right heart or main pulmonary artery, a more proximal target.$902.17
36014Pulmonary catheterization, selective pulmonary arterySelective placement in a left or right pulmonary artery, proximal to segmental branches.$871.29
Often billed with
75741Pulmonary angiography, unilateral selectiveUnilateral pulmonary angiographic imaging may accompany catheter placement when performed.$145.16
75743Pulmonary angiography, bilateral selective studyBilateral pulmonary angiographic imaging may accompany catheter placement when performed.$164.93

How 36015 has changed in Washington, DC area

36015 · Office / nonfacility

$920.43

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $909.67 to $920.43 (1.2%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $909.67changed to$920.43

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.51 changed to 3.42
    • Practice expense RVU 20.01 changed to 19.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.48 changed to 0.49
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $968.30changed to$909.67

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 20.86 changed to 20.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $952.50changed to$968.30

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1035.85changed to$952.50

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 21.69 changed to 20.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.44
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1110.05changed to$1035.85

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 22.54 changed to 21.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.43
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1153.30changed to$1110.05

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 23.34 changed to 22.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1112.38changed to$1153.30

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 21.81 changed to 23.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1065.38changed to$1112.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 21.07 changed to 21.81
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1043.82changed to$1065.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 20.60 changed to 21.07

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1037.21changed to$1043.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 20.52 changed to 20.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1049.89changed to$1037.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 20.88 changed to 20.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1044.23changed to$1049.89

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 20.63 changed to 20.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.37

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1039.04changed to$1044.23

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1043.62changed to$1039.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 20.82 changed to 20.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1079.41changed to$1043.62

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 23.06 changed to 20.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $1079.41

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$920.43$160.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$920.43$160.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$920.43$160.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$920.43$160.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$909.67$179.78RVU25D
2025-07-01$909.67$179.78RVU25C
2025-04-01$909.67$179.78RVU25B
2025-01-01$909.67$179.78RVU25A
2024-10-01$968.30$181.87RVU24D
2024-07-01$968.30$181.87RVU24C
2024-04-01$968.30$181.87RVU24B
2024-03-09$968.30$181.87RVU24AR
2024-01-01$952.50$178.90RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,035.85$186.33RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,035.85$186.33RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,035.85$186.33RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,035.85$186.33RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,110.05$190.85RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,110.05$190.85RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,110.05$190.85RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,110.05$190.85RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,153.30$192.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,153.30$192.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,153.30$192.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,153.30$192.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,112.38$199.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,112.38$199.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,112.38$199.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,112.38$199.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,065.38$196.83RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,065.38$196.83RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,065.38$196.83RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,065.38$196.83RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,043.82$196.62RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,043.82$196.62RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,043.82$196.62RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,043.82$196.62RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,037.21$196.51RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,037.21$196.51RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,037.21$196.51RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,037.21$196.51RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,049.89$197.36RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,049.89$197.36RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,049.89$197.36RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,049.89$197.36RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,044.23$197.29RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,044.23$197.29RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,039.04$196.31RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,039.04$196.31RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,043.62$197.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,043.62$197.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,043.62$197.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,043.62$197.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,079.41$190.04RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,079.41$190.04RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,079.41$190.04RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,079.41$190.04RVU13AR

Price 36015 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

36015 billing questions

How does 36015 differ from 36014?

36015 describes catheter placement in a segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery branch. 36014 is for selective placement in a left or right pulmonary artery.

How does 36015 differ from 36013?

36013 describes catheter placement in the right heart or main pulmonary artery. Use 36015 when the catheter is advanced selectively into a segmental or smaller pulmonary arterial branch.

What documentation supports 36015?

Document the pulmonary arterial branch reached and the side, along with the catheter placement performed. The record should support distal selective placement rather than positioning only in a larger pulmonary artery.

Can 36015 be reported with pulmonary angiography?

Yes. Catheter placement and pulmonary angiographic imaging are distinct services when both are performed and documented; 75741 and 75743 describe unilateral and bilateral pulmonary angiographic imaging, respectively.

How is bilateral 36015 reported?

Report bilateral performance with modifier 50. CMS pays bilateral 36015 at 150%.

What happens when 36015 is performed with other procedures in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50%.

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 36015PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,438 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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