CPT code 36246: Selective catheterization, second-order branch2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana

Reports selective catheter placement into a second-order abdominal, pelvic, or lower-extremity arterial branch during angiography or endovascular treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality24.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Montana, Medicare pays $797.88 for 36246 in the office and $221.38 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$797.88Office (non-facility)
$221.38Hospital or facility
−0.0%vs the national office rate ($797.95)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36246 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 36246 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Montana
  2. What 36246 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 36246 covers

This service covers advancing a catheter selectively into a second-order branch of the abdominal, pelvic, or lower-extremity arterial system. Interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and other physicians performing vascular procedures may use it to reach a target branch for diagnostic angiography or endovascular treatment in an angiography suite, catheterization laboratory, or operating room.

Choose the code according to the most selective branch reached in the vascular family: 36246 represents a second-order selection, while a third-order selection in that family is reported at the higher level. Document the access route, vascular family, target branch, and catheter position; catheter exchanges or imaging runs alone do not establish another selective placement. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and other procedures at 50%. Modifier 50 for a bilateral procedure is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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 Montana compares for 36246

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36246 runs from $696.40 in Arkansas to $1,064.64 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $797.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36246 in Montana vs other payment areas
  1. Montana · this page$797.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$902.58+$104.70
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$917.45+$119.57
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$876.15+$78.27
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$847.51+$49.63
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$926.08+$128.20
  7. Alaska · Alaska$902.84+$104.96

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

Every other payment area

36246 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$707.78$203.35
ArkansasArkansas$696.40$201.19
ArizonaArizona$774.31$215.68
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$844.89$213.05
Chico, CACalifornia$842.01$210.16
El Centro, CACalifornia$842.18$210.34
Fresno, CACalifornia$842.01$210.16
Hanford, CACalifornia$842.01$210.16

36246 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.

$696.40

$953.33

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

View every state and territory as a table
36246 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$902.841
AL$707.781
AR$696.401
AZ$774.311
CA$842.01–$1,064.6429
CO$830.601
CT$854.741
DC$917.451
DE$788.031
FL$789.21–$876.153
GA$739.93–$815.082
GU$865.321
HI$865.321
IA$725.841
ID$731.501
IL$765.53–$847.514
IN$736.151
KS$723.001
KY$728.421
LA$727.53–$767.342
MA$825.22–$917.102
MD$803.90–$917.453
ME$736.73–$779.612
MI$750.31–$801.022
MN$790.641
MO$714.30–$769.243
MS$705.461
MT$797.881
NC$745.121
ND$777.121
NE$729.971
NH$818.151
NJ$863.04–$906.552
NM$755.231
NV$792.691
NY$757.55–$951.775
OH$746.071
OK$725.981
OR$785.13–$858.132
PA$746.86–$832.242
PR$804.021
RI$817.051
SC$747.121
SD$774.661
TN$727.151
TX$741.50–$829.058
UT$758.401
VA$777.44–$917.452
VI$804.021
VT$774.631
WA$823.46–$935.792
WI$748.501
WV$734.521
WY$788.831

See 36246 in every payment locality

How the 36246 rate is calculated

Each of 36246’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 · 36246

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.89

4.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense17.95

17.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.05

1.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

23.8900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$797.95

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

The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,456

Code
36246
Physician work
4.89
Practice expense
17.95
Malpractice
1.05

GPCI2026.csv

71

Locality
Montana
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.998
Office calculation for 36246 in Montana
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.89× 1.0004.8900
Practice expense17.95× 1.00017.9500
Malpractice1.05× 0.9981.0479
Total RVUs23.8879
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Montana$797.88

Office: (4.89 × 1 + 17.95 × 1 + 1.05 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $797.88

Facility: (4.89 × 1 + 0.69 × 1 + 1.05 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $221.38

Open 36246 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36246

The CMS indicators that decide how 36246 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36246

Selective catheterization, second-order 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)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

36246 without 50 · national office

$797.95

Selective catheterization, second-order branch

36246-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,196.93

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

How 36246 has changed in Montana

36246 · Office / nonfacility

$797.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $29.08 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $768.80 to $797.88 (3.8%).

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

    $768.80changed to$797.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.02 changed to 4.89
    • Practice expense RVU 17.75 changed to 17.95
    • Malpractice RVU 1.02 changed to 1.05
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $817.45changed to$768.80

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 18.52 changed to 17.75
    • Malpractice RVU 1.04 changed to 1.02

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $804.10changed to$817.45

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $848.14changed to$804.10

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.05 changed to 18.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.98 changed to 1.04
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $891.34changed to$848.14

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 19.75 changed to 19.05
    • Malpractice RVU 1.01 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $910.96changed to$891.34

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 20.12 changed to 19.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 1.01

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $896.53changed to$910.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 18.57 changed to 20.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.96 changed to 0.99
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $879.79changed to$896.53

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 17.81 changed to 18.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.96
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $861.32changed to$879.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 17.34 changed to 17.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.96 changed to 0.97

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $852.58changed to$861.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 17.35 changed to 17.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.96
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $918.40changed to$852.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 5.27 changed to 5.02
    • Practice expense RVU 19.13 changed to 17.35
    • Malpractice RVU 1.02 changed to 0.97
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $921.88changed to$918.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 19.11 changed to 19.13
    • Malpractice RVU 1.04 changed to 1.02

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $917.29changed to$921.88

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $912.23changed to$917.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 19.10 changed to 19.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.94 changed to 1.04
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $938.05changed to$912.23

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 21.22 changed to 19.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.98 changed to 0.94
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $938.05

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$797.88$221.38RVU26D
2026-07-01$797.88$221.38RVU26C
2026-04-01$797.88$221.38RVU26B
2026-01-01$797.88$221.38RVU26A
2025-10-01$768.80$237.99RVU25D
2025-07-01$768.80$237.99RVU25C
2025-04-01$768.80$237.99RVU25B
2025-01-01$768.80$237.99RVU25A
2024-10-01$817.45$244.90RVU24D
2024-07-01$817.45$244.90RVU24C
2024-04-01$817.45$244.90RVU24B
2024-03-09$817.45$244.90RVU24AR
2024-01-01$804.10$240.90RVU24A
2023-10-01$848.14$247.66RVU23D
2023-07-01$848.14$247.66RVU23C
2023-04-01$848.14$247.66RVU23B
2023-01-01$848.14$247.66RVU23A
2022-10-01$891.34$254.24RVU22D
2022-07-01$891.34$254.24RVU22C
2022-04-01$891.34$254.24RVU22B
2022-01-01$891.34$254.24RVU22A
2021-10-01$910.96$256.02RVU21D
2021-07-01$910.96$256.02RVU21C
2021-04-01$910.96$256.02RVU21B
2021-01-01$910.96$256.02RVU21A
2020-10-01$896.53$275.79RVU20D
2020-07-01$896.53$275.79RVU20C
2020-04-01$896.53$275.79RVU20B
2020-01-01$896.53$275.79RVU20A
2019-10-01$879.79$288.39RVU19D
2019-07-01$879.79$288.39RVU19C
2019-04-01$879.79$288.39RVU19B
2019-01-01$879.79$288.39RVU19A
2018-10-01$861.32$288.56RVU18D
2018-07-01$861.32$288.56RVU18C
2018-04-01$861.32$288.56RVU18B
2018-01-01$861.32$288.56RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$852.58$282.66RVU17D
2017-07-01$852.58$282.66RVU17C
2017-04-01$852.58$282.66RVU17B
2017-01-01$852.58$282.66RVU17A
2016-10-01$918.40$289.68RVU16D
2016-07-01$918.40$289.68RVU16C
2016-04-01$918.40$289.68RVU16B
2016-01-01$918.40$289.68RVU16A
2015-10-01$921.88$291.60RVU15D
2015-07-01$921.88$291.60RVU15C
2015-04-01$917.29$290.15RVU15B
2015-01-01$917.29$290.15RVU15A
2014-10-01$912.23$285.69RVU14D
2014-07-01$912.23$285.69RVU14C
2014-04-01$912.23$285.69RVU14B
2014-01-01$912.23$285.69RVU14A
2013-10-01$938.05$274.94RVU13D
2013-07-01$938.05$274.94RVU13C
2013-04-01$938.05$274.94RVU13B
2013-01-01$938.05$274.94RVU13AR

Price 36246 for an earlier date of service

Where the Montana rate applies

Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Absarokee
  • Acton
  • Alberton
  • Alder
  • Alzada
  • Amsterdam
  • Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
  • Antelope

Browse all communities in Montana

36246 billing questions

How does 36246 differ from 36245 and 36247?

Select 36246 when the catheter reaches a second-order branch in the abdominal, pelvic, or lower-extremity arterial system. Use 36245 for first-order placement and 36247 for third-order placement in the vascular family.

Can angiography or treatment be reported separately?

36246 describes selective catheter placement, not the imaging or treatment itself. Report other services only when they were performed, documented, and separately reportable under their code instructions.

When is 36248 reported with 36246?

36248 is an add-on for an additional qualifying second-order, third-order, or more distal branch selection in the same vascular family. The record should show the additional branch catheterized.

Are units based on catheter exchanges or angiographic runs?

No. Select the code based on the order of the branch reached and the vascular family; a catheter exchange or another imaging run alone is not an additional selective placement.

How is bilateral reporting handled?

For a bilateral procedure, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. The documentation should support selective catheterization on both sides.

Does the code have a postoperative global period?

It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

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 36246PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,456 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MontanaGPCI2026.csv, line 71 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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