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CPT code 36215: Arterial catheterization, first-order thoracic branch2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Report this code when a catheter is selectively positioned in a first-order thoracic or brachiocephalic arterial branch, rather than left in the aorta or advanced farther.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality26.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $1,228.84 for 36215 in the office and $192.41 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,228.84Office (non-facility)
$192.41Hospital or facility
+15.5%vs the national office rate ($1,064.15)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36215 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 36215 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 36215 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 36215 covers

The operator advances a catheter from an arterial access site into a first-order branch arising from the thoracic aorta or brachiocephalic trunk. Examples include selective placement in the left common carotid or left subclavian artery. Interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and other physicians performing arterial catheter procedures may use this service during diagnostic angiography or an intervention, when the catheter placement is separately reportable.

Documentation should identify the selected artery and show the catheter position and order of branching; access alone does not establish selective placement. Use a more distal-level code when the catheter reaches a second- or third-order branch. The cervicocerebral angiography codes that include catheter selection should not be duplicated with a separate placement code for the same included work. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. In a same-session multiple-procedure situation, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeons and team surgery are 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.

How Los Angeles, CA compares for 36215

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36215 runs from $926.15 in Arkansas to $1,470.61 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $1,228.84. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36215 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$1,228.84
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$1,145.76−$83.08
  3. Chico, CA · California$1,143.98−$84.86
  4. El Centro, CA · California$1,144.08−$84.76
  5. Fresno, CA · California$1,143.98−$84.86
  6. Hanford, CA · California$1,143.98−$84.86
  7. Madera, CA · California$1,143.98−$84.86

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

36215 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$1,143.98$183.76
Modesto, CACalifornia$1,143.98$183.76
Napa, CACalifornia$1,351.11$196.41
Oxnard, CACalifornia$1,225.32$189.76
Redding, CACalifornia$1,143.98$183.76
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$1,143.98$183.76
Riverside, CACalifornia$1,150.68$190.46
Sacramento, CACalifornia$1,207.36$188.45

36215 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.

$926.15

$1,307.30

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

View every state and territory as a table
36215 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,181.811
AL$941.731
AR$926.151
AZ$1,033.041
CA$1,143.98–$1,470.6129
CO$1,119.331
CT$1,141.101
DC$1,235.371
DE$1,051.851
FL$1,034.64–$1,133.023
GA$970.12–$1,083.242
GU$1,179.761
HI$1,179.761
IA$974.531
ID$980.641
IL$996.86–$1,105.594
IN$987.261
KS$966.761
KY$961.661
LA$958.92–$1,013.432
MA$1,110.22–$1,243.502
MD$1,074.70–$1,235.373
ME$983.72–$1,048.342
MI$987.87–$1,046.602
MN$1,075.891
MO$938.38–$1,020.633
MS$932.601
MT$1,064.111
NC$995.871
ND$1,051.851
NE$981.391
NH$1,098.771
NJ$1,155.09–$1,219.332
NM$992.991
NV$1,061.601
NY$1,012.63–$1,262.125
OH$985.371
OK$962.431
OR$1,054.37–$1,161.762
PA$988.60–$1,107.802
PR$1,073.821
RI$1,094.451
SC$992.081
SD$1,050.401
TN$971.981
TX$981.01–$1,114.708
UT$1,007.591
VA$1,042.64–$1,235.372
VI$1,073.821
VT$1,044.851
WA$1,109.07–$1,273.162
WI$1,011.711
WV$954.201
WY$1,058.771

See 36215 in every payment locality

How the 36215 rate is calculated

Each of 36215’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 · 36215

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.07

4.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense27.17

27.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.62

0.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

31.8600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,064.15

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,443

Code
36215
Physician work
4.07
Practice expense
27.17
Malpractice
0.62

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 36215 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.07× 1.0414.2369
Practice expense27.17× 1.18332.1421
Malpractice0.62× 0.6640.4117
Total RVUs36.7907
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$1228.84

Office: (4.07 × 1.041 + 27.17 × 1.183 + 0.62 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $1228.84

Facility: (4.07 × 1.041 + 0.94 × 1.183 + 0.62 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $192.41

Open 36215 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36215

The CMS indicators that decide how 36215 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36215

Arterial catheterization, first-order thoracic branch

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
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 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

36215 without 51 · national office

$1,064.15

Arterial catheterization, first-order thoracic branch

36215-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$532.08

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 36215

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

Codes related to 36215
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Used instead
36200Aortic catheterization, nonselective placementUse for nonselective catheter placement in the aorta rather than a first-order branch.$646.59
36222Carotid angiography, common carotid, extracranialIncludes catheter selection with unilateral common carotid or innominate cervicocerebral angiography.$1,442.91
Same family
36216Arterial catheterization, second-order branchRepresents catheter placement at the second-order branch level.$1,234.29
36217Arterial catheterization, third order or higherRepresents catheter placement at the third-order branch level.$2,282.01
Add-on codes
36218Arterial catheterization, additional branch in same familyAdd-on for additional second- or third-order branch placement within the vascular family.$263.56

How 36215 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

36215 · Office / nonfacility

$1228.84

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $108.30 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1120.54 to $1228.84 (9.7%).

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

    $1120.54changed to$1228.84

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.17 changed to 4.07
    • Practice expense RVU 25.01 changed to 27.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1181.86changed to$1120.54

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 25.75 changed to 25.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.63

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1162.57changed to$1181.86

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1220.02changed to$1162.57

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 26.35 changed to 25.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.58 changed to 0.60
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1272.18changed to$1220.02

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 27.20 changed to 26.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.57 changed to 0.58
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1316.37changed to$1272.18

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 28.04 changed to 27.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.57

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1275.60changed to$1316.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 26.01 changed to 28.04
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1217.13changed to$1275.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 24.64 changed to 26.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.54
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1183.25changed to$1217.13

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 23.86 changed to 24.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.61 changed to 0.59

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1306.38changed to$1183.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 4.67 changed to 4.17
    • Practice expense RVU 26.49 changed to 23.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.68 changed to 0.61
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1306.88changed to$1306.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 26.68 changed to 26.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.70 changed to 0.68
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1311.23changed to$1306.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 26.64 changed to 26.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.74 changed to 0.70

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1304.71changed to$1311.23

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1267.47changed to$1304.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 25.83 changed to 26.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.78 changed to 0.74
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1300.32changed to$1267.47

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 28.47 changed to 25.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.82 changed to 0.78
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$1300.32

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,228.84$192.41RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,228.84$192.41RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,228.84$192.41RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,228.84$192.41RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,120.54$211.77RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,120.54$211.77RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,120.54$211.77RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,120.54$211.77RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,181.86$215.65RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,181.86$215.65RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,181.86$215.65RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,181.86$215.65RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,162.57$212.13RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,220.02$220.13RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,220.02$220.13RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,220.02$220.13RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,220.02$220.13RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,272.18$225.53RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,272.18$225.53RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,272.18$225.53RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,272.18$225.53RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,316.37$225.79RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,316.37$225.79RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,316.37$225.79RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,316.37$225.79RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,275.60$231.96RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,275.60$231.96RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,275.60$231.96RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,275.60$231.96RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,217.13$231.34RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,217.13$231.34RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,217.13$231.34RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,217.13$231.34RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,183.25$231.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,183.25$231.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,183.25$231.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,183.25$231.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,306.38$256.28RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,306.38$256.28RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,306.38$256.28RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,306.38$256.28RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,306.88$259.34RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,306.88$259.34RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,306.88$259.34RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,306.88$259.34RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,311.23$261.58RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,311.23$261.58RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,304.71$260.28RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,304.71$260.28RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,267.47$261.93RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,267.47$261.93RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,267.47$261.93RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,267.47$261.93RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,300.32$249.26RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 36215 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

36215 billing questions

How does 36215 differ from 36200?

36215 represents selective placement into a first-order thoracic or brachiocephalic branch. Use 36200 when the catheter remains in the aorta without selective branch placement.

When should 36216 be used instead?

Use 36216 when the catheter is advanced into a second-order branch. Select the level based on the documented catheter position and arterial branching, not the access site.

Can 36215 be reported with cervicocerebral angiography?

Some cervicocerebral angiography codes include catheter selection as part of the service. Do not separately report 36215 for catheter placement already included in the selected angiography code.

Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral branch selection?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; modifier 50 should not be used.

What documentation supports 36215?

Document the specific artery selected and the catheter's final position so the first-order branch level is clear. The access site by itself does not support this selective placement.

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 36215PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,443 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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