CPT code 36252: Renal angiography, bilateral, first-order arteries2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Reports selective catheterization and angiographic evaluation of the first-order renal arteries on both sides, including associated imaging interpretation and flush aortography when performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.7K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $1,254.31 for 36252 in the office and $299.11 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,254.31Office (non-facility)
$299.11Hospital or facility
−6.6%vs the national office rate ($1,343.38)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36252 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 36252 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 36252 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 36252 covers

This code describes diagnostic angiography requiring selective catheterization of the first-order renal arteries on both sides. It is commonly performed in an angiography suite or hospital procedure room by an interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, or other physician performing renal vascular imaging to assess suspected stenosis or other renal arterial disease. The service includes the associated renal angiographic imaging and interpretation, as well as flush aortography when performed.

Choose this code when the documented work meets the bilateral, first-order renal artery level; catheterization of more distal or additional renal branches may call for a different code in the family. The report should support bilateral selective catheter positions and the angiographic study performed. The code packages the related catheter placement and imaging interpretation, so do not separately report those same components. It has a 0-day global period, with same-day preoperative and postoperative care included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard reduction. The code is already priced bilaterally, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 South Carolina compares for 36252

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36252 runs from $1,167.90 in Arkansas to $1,819.52 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $1,254.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36252 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$1,254.31
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,532.41+$278.10
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,552.08+$297.77
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,463.02+$208.71
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,414.31+$160.00
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,560.47+$306.16
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,500.75+$246.44

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

Every other payment area

36252 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$1,187.62$283.08
ArkansasArkansas$1,167.90$279.91
ArizonaArizona$1,302.96$301.24
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,431.38$298.38
Chico, CACalifornia$1,427.33$294.33
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,427.58$294.58
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,427.33$294.33
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,427.33$294.33

36252 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.

$1,167.90

$1,623.43

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

View every state and territory as a table
36252 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,500.751
AL$1,187.621
AR$1,167.901
AZ$1,302.961
CA$1,427.33–$1,819.5229
CO$1,403.961
CT$1,440.891
DC$1,552.081
DE$1,326.591
FL$1,320.97–$1,463.023
GA$1,236.83–$1,371.172
GU$1,469.781
HI$1,469.781
IA$1,222.241
ID$1,231.371
IL$1,277.73–$1,414.314
IN$1,239.541
KS$1,215.711
KY$1,219.911
LA$1,217.74–$1,286.712
MA$1,393.81–$1,555.402
MD$1,354.42–$1,552.083
ME$1,238.74–$1,315.472
MI$1,256.28–$1,339.692
MN$1,339.741
MO$1,193.82–$1,291.913
MS$1,181.131
MT$1,343.291
NC$1,253.551
ND$1,314.021
NE$1,229.901
NH$1,381.261
NJ$1,455.81–$1,532.492
NM$1,264.141
NV$1,336.201
NY$1,274.98–$1,602.875
OH$1,250.301
OK$1,217.391
OR$1,324.40–$1,453.512
PA$1,252.56–$1,400.932
PR$1,354.461
RI$1,377.671
SC$1,254.311
SD$1,310.561
TN$1,222.721
TX$1,243.17–$1,400.518
UT$1,273.871
VA$1,310.58–$1,552.082
VI$1,354.461
VT$1,308.221
WA$1,391.37–$1,589.222
WI$1,264.051
WV$1,223.931
WY$1,330.531

See 36252 in every payment locality

How the 36252 rate is calculated

Each of 36252’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 · 36252

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work6.57

6.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense32.17

32.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.48

1.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

40.2200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,343.38

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,460

Code
36252
Physician work
6.57
Practice expense
32.17
Malpractice
1.48

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 36252 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work6.57× 1.0006.5700
Practice expense32.17× 0.92429.7251
Malpractice1.48× 0.8501.2580
Total RVUs37.5531
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$1254.31

Office: (6.57 × 1 + 32.17 × 0.924 + 1.48 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $1254.31

Facility: (6.57 × 1 + 1.22 × 0.924 + 1.48 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $299.11

Open 36252 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36252

The CMS indicators that decide how 36252 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36252

Renal angiography, bilateral, first-order arteries

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)2Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%.
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

36252 without 51 · national office

$1,343.38

Renal angiography, bilateral, first-order arteries

36252-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$671.69

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

How 36252 has changed in South Carolina

36252 · Office / nonfacility

$1254.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $66.00 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1188.31 to $1254.31 (5.6%).

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

    $1188.31changed to$1254.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 6.74 changed to 6.57
    • Practice expense RVU 31.54 changed to 32.17
    • Malpractice RVU 1.47 changed to 1.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1262.02changed to$1188.31

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 32.81 changed to 31.54
    • Malpractice RVU 1.49 changed to 1.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1241.43changed to$1262.02

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1297.56changed to$1241.43

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 33.54 changed to 32.81
    • Malpractice RVU 1.45 changed to 1.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1355.07changed to$1297.56

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 34.76 changed to 33.54
    • Malpractice RVU 1.48 changed to 1.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1426.70changed to$1355.07

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 36.70 changed to 34.76
    • Malpractice RVU 1.45 changed to 1.48

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1409.43changed to$1426.70

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 34.65 changed to 36.70
    • Malpractice RVU 1.42 changed to 1.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1396.93changed to$1409.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 34.22 changed to 34.65
    • Malpractice RVU 1.47 changed to 1.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1395.07changed to$1396.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 34.21 changed to 34.22

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1386.44changed to$1395.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 33.94 changed to 34.21
    • Malpractice RVU 1.48 changed to 1.47
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $1450.13changed to$1386.44

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 6.99 changed to 6.74
    • Practice expense RVU 35.53 changed to 33.94
    • Malpractice RVU 1.55 changed to 1.48
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $1452.81changed to$1450.13

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 35.46 changed to 35.53
    • Malpractice RVU 1.54 changed to 1.55

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $1445.58changed to$1452.81

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $1431.49changed to$1445.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 35.35 changed to 35.46
    • Malpractice RVU 1.24 changed to 1.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $1516.14changed to$1431.49

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 40.59 changed to 35.35
    • Malpractice RVU 1.30 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $1516.14

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,254.31$299.11RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,254.31$299.11RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,254.31$299.11RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,254.31$299.11RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,188.31$323.02RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,188.31$323.02RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,188.31$323.02RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,188.31$323.02RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,262.02$331.74RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,262.02$331.74RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,262.02$331.74RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,262.02$331.74RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,241.43$326.33RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,297.56$333.55RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,297.56$333.55RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,297.56$333.55RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,297.56$333.55RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,355.07$339.15RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,355.07$339.15RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,355.07$339.15RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,355.07$339.15RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,426.70$341.55RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,426.70$341.55RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,426.70$341.55RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,426.70$341.55RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,409.43$349.53RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,409.43$349.53RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,409.43$349.53RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,409.43$349.53RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,396.93$347.14RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,396.93$347.14RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,396.93$347.14RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,396.93$347.14RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,395.07$347.41RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,395.07$347.41RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,395.07$347.41RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,395.07$347.41RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,386.44$351.83RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,386.44$351.83RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,386.44$351.83RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,386.44$351.83RVU17A
2016-10-01$1,450.13$368.65RVU16D
2016-07-01$1,450.13$368.65RVU16C
2016-04-01$1,450.13$368.65RVU16B
2016-01-01$1,450.13$368.65RVU16A
2015-10-01$1,452.81$370.05RVU15D
2015-07-01$1,452.81$370.05RVU15C
2015-04-01$1,445.58$368.21RVU15B
2015-01-01$1,445.58$368.21RVU15A
2014-10-01$1,431.49$357.48RVU14D
2014-07-01$1,431.49$357.48RVU14C
2014-04-01$1,431.49$357.48RVU14B
2014-01-01$1,431.49$357.48RVU14A
2013-10-01$1,516.14$338.45RVU13D
2013-07-01$1,516.14$338.45RVU13C
2013-04-01$1,516.14$338.45RVU13B
2013-01-01$1,516.14$338.45RVU13AR

Price 36252 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

36252 billing questions

When should I choose 36252 instead of 36251?

Use 36252 for the qualifying first-order renal angiographic service performed bilaterally. Code 36251 describes the unilateral service.

Does 36252 include the angiographic imaging and interpretation?

Yes. The code includes the associated renal angiography and radiological supervision and interpretation, with flush aortography when performed; do not separately report those same components.

Should modifier 50 be appended?

The code is already priced for bilateral work. Modifier 50 does not increase payment.

How is 36252 distinguished from 36254?

36252 represents bilateral first-order renal artery catheterization. 36254 is for bilateral catheterization at the second-order level or beyond.

What documentation supports reporting 36252?

Document selective catheter placement in both first-order renal arteries and the angiographic imaging performed, including any flush aortography.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this service?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 36252PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,460 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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