CPT code 36215: Arterial catheterization, first-order thoracic branch2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
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.
In Virginia, Medicare pays $1,042.64 for 36215 in the office and $181.43 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $1,042.64. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Virginia · this page$1,042.64
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,228.84+$186.20
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,235.37+$192.73
- Miami, FL · Florida$1,133.02+$90.38
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,096.46+$53.82
- Manhattan, NY · New York$1,232.00+$189.36
- Alaska · Alaska$1,181.81+$139.17
Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $941.73 | $175.13 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $926.15 | $173.58 |
| ArizonaArizona | $1,033.04 | $184.09 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $1,145.76 | $185.55 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $1,144.08 | $183.87 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| 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 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $1,203.05 | $187.64 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $1,236.62 | $188.79 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $1,437.94 | $202.63 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $1,437.24 | $201.93 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $1,470.61 | $207.27 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $1,467.74 | $204.39 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $1,183.00 | $185.11 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $1,252.51 | $188.04 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $1,209.00 | $187.46 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $1,265.53 | $189.68 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $1,350.10 | $195.39 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $1,143.98 | $183.76 |
| ColoradoColorado | $1,119.33 | $187.15 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $1,141.10 | $197.53 |
| DelawareDelaware | $1,051.85 | $186.26 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $1,092.68 | $205.19 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $1,034.64 | $197.08 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $1,083.24 | $193.12 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $970.12 | $188.63 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $1,179.76 | $183.63 |
| IowaIowa | $974.53 | $172.89 |
| IdahoIdaho | $980.64 | $174.62 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $1,012.55 | $206.53 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $996.86 | $196.97 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $1,105.59 | $205.83 |
| IndianaIndiana | $987.26 | $175.11 |
| KansasKansas | $966.76 | $174.76 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $961.66 | $182.80 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $1,013.43 | $189.01 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $958.92 | $183.57 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $1,243.50 | $197.43 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $1,110.22 | $187.68 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $1,137.48 | $197.42 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $1,074.70 | $188.09 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $983.72 | $177.71 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $1,048.34 | $180.12 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $1,046.60 | $201.15 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $987.87 | $187.99 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $1,075.89 | $174.38 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $1,008.32 | $185.66 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $1,020.63 | $186.58 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $938.38 | $183.18 |
| MississippiMississippi | $932.60 | $178.28 |
| MontanaMontana | $1,064.11 | $188.01 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $995.87 | $178.47 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $1,051.85 | $175.75 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $981.39 | $172.75 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $1,098.77 | $186.75 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,219.33 | $203.04 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $1,155.09 | $198.38 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $992.99 | $189.60 |
| NevadaNevada | $1,061.60 | $184.62 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $1,262.12 | $220.43 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $1,160.83 | $201.50 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $1,247.17 | $211.61 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $1,012.63 | $180.33 |
| OhioOhio | $985.37 | $185.48 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $962.43 | $180.07 |
| Portland, OROregon | $1,161.76 | $188.41 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $1,054.37 | $181.77 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $1,107.80 | $195.78 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $988.60 | $184.33 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $1,073.82 | $188.08 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $1,094.45 | $189.43 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $992.08 | $182.55 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $1,050.40 | $174.30 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $971.98 | $175.60 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $1,114.70 | $187.78 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $981.01 | $183.75 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $1,052.52 | $184.30 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $1,058.81 | $186.20 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $1,050.00 | $186.16 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $1,055.33 | $185.35 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $1,066.67 | $196.70 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $1,015.86 | $184.44 |
| UtahUtah | $1,007.59 | $184.05 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $1,073.82 | $188.08 |
| VermontVermont | $1,044.85 | $177.50 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $1,109.07 | $186.53 |
| King County, WAWashington | $1,273.16 | $198.18 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $1,011.71 | $172.40 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $954.20 | $192.86 |
| WyomingWyoming | $1,058.77 | $182.66 |
36215 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $1,181.81 | 1 |
| AL | $941.73 | 1 |
| AR | $926.15 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,033.04 | 1 |
| CA | $1,143.98–$1,470.61 | 29 |
| CO | $1,119.33 | 1 |
| CT | $1,141.10 | 1 |
| DC | $1,235.37 | 1 |
| DE | $1,051.85 | 1 |
| FL | $1,034.64–$1,133.02 | 3 |
| GA | $970.12–$1,083.24 | 2 |
| GU | $1,179.76 | 1 |
| HI | $1,179.76 | 1 |
| IA | $974.53 | 1 |
| ID | $980.64 | 1 |
| IL | $996.86–$1,105.59 | 4 |
| IN | $987.26 | 1 |
| KS | $966.76 | 1 |
| KY | $961.66 | 1 |
| LA | $958.92–$1,013.43 | 2 |
| MA | $1,110.22–$1,243.50 | 2 |
| MD | $1,074.70–$1,235.37 | 3 |
| ME | $983.72–$1,048.34 | 2 |
| MI | $987.87–$1,046.60 | 2 |
| MN | $1,075.89 | 1 |
| MO | $938.38–$1,020.63 | 3 |
| MS | $932.60 | 1 |
| MT | $1,064.11 | 1 |
| NC | $995.87 | 1 |
| ND | $1,051.85 | 1 |
| NE | $981.39 | 1 |
| NH | $1,098.77 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,155.09–$1,219.33 | 2 |
| NM | $992.99 | 1 |
| NV | $1,061.60 | 1 |
| NY | $1,012.63–$1,262.12 | 5 |
| OH | $985.37 | 1 |
| OK | $962.43 | 1 |
| OR | $1,054.37–$1,161.76 | 2 |
| PA | $988.60–$1,107.80 | 2 |
| PR | $1,073.82 | 1 |
| RI | $1,094.45 | 1 |
| SC | $992.08 | 1 |
| SD | $1,050.40 | 1 |
| TN | $971.98 | 1 |
| TX | $981.01–$1,114.70 | 8 |
| UT | $1,007.59 | 1 |
| VA | $1,042.64–$1,235.37 | 2 |
| VI | $1,073.82 | 1 |
| VT | $1,044.85 | 1 |
| WA | $1,109.07–$1,273.16 | 2 |
| WI | $1,011.71 | 1 |
| WV | $954.20 | 1 |
| WY | $1,058.77 | 1 |
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
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 Virginia 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
106
- Locality
- Virginia
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.983
- Malpractice
- 0.706
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 4.07 | × 1.000 | 4.0700 |
| Practice expense | 27.17 | × 0.983 | 26.7081 |
| Malpractice | 0.62 | × 0.706 | 0.4377 |
| Total RVUs | 31.2158 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Virginia$1042.64
Office: (4.07 × 1 + 27.17 × 0.983 + 0.62 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $1042.64
Facility: (4.07 × 1 + 0.94 × 0.983 + 0.62 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $181.43
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician 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%).
How 36215 has changed in Virginia
36215 · Office / nonfacility
$1042.64
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $96.06 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $946.58 to $1042.64 (10.1%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$946.58changed to$1042.64
- 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
- Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$997.60changed to$946.58
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$981.32changed to$997.60
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$1041.54changed to$981.32
- 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
- Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
- Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$1098.58changed to$1041.54
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$1135.92changed to$1098.58
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$1098.33changed to$1135.92
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 26.01 changed to 28.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
- Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$1045.16changed to$1098.33
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
- Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$1016.98changed to$1045.16
- 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.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$1125.17changed to$1016.98
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
- Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$1126.88changed to$1125.17
- 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 0.983 changed to 0.985
- Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$1130.72changed to$1126.88
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$1125.09changed to$1130.72
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$1095.83changed to$1125.09
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$1125.64changed to$1095.83
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
- Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $1125.64
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $1,042.64 | $181.43 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $1,042.64 | $181.43 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $1,042.64 | $181.43 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $1,042.64 | $181.43 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $946.58 | $197.65 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $946.58 | $197.65 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $946.58 | $197.65 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $946.58 | $197.65 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $997.60 | $201.33 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $997.60 | $201.33 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $997.60 | $201.33 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $997.60 | $201.33 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $981.32 | $198.05 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $1,041.54 | $206.19 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $1,041.54 | $206.19 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $1,041.54 | $206.19 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $1,041.54 | $206.19 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $1,098.58 | $212.27 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $1,098.58 | $212.27 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $1,098.58 | $212.27 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $1,098.58 | $212.27 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $1,135.92 | $212.40 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $1,135.92 | $212.40 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $1,135.92 | $212.40 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $1,135.92 | $212.40 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $1,098.33 | $218.88 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $1,098.33 | $218.88 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $1,098.33 | $218.88 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $1,098.33 | $218.88 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $1,045.16 | $219.34 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $1,045.16 | $219.34 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $1,045.16 | $219.34 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $1,045.16 | $219.34 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $1,016.98 | $219.75 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $1,016.98 | $219.75 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $1,016.98 | $219.75 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $1,016.98 | $219.75 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $1,125.17 | $240.35 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $1,125.17 | $240.35 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $1,125.17 | $240.35 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $1,125.17 | $240.35 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $1,126.88 | $239.95 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $1,126.88 | $239.95 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $1,126.88 | $239.95 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $1,126.88 | $239.95 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $1,130.72 | $242.00 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $1,130.72 | $242.00 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $1,125.09 | $240.79 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $1,125.09 | $240.79 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $1,095.83 | $244.85 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $1,095.83 | $244.85 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $1,095.83 | $244.85 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $1,095.83 | $244.85 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $1,125.64 | $235.79 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $1,125.64 | $235.79 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $1,125.64 | $235.79 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $1,125.64 | $235.79 | RVU13AR |
Where the Virginia rate applies
Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbs Valley
- Abingdon
- Accomac
- Adwolf
- Afton
- Alberta
- Aldie
- Allison Gap
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
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