CPT code 36254: Renal catheterization, second-order or more, bilateral2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota
Reports selective catheter placement in second-order or more distal renal artery branches on both sides, with diagnostic renal angiographic imaging.
In South Dakota, Medicare pays $1,871.50 for 36254 in the office and $324.03 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36254 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 36254 covers
This service covers selective catheter placement into second-order or more distal branches of the renal arteries on both sides, together with diagnostic renal angiographic imaging. It is typically performed by an interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, or other physician evaluating suspected renovascular disease, such as renal artery stenosis. The catheterization must reach the more selective branch level bilaterally; imaging only the main renal arteries does not establish this code’s level of service.
Choose the code based on the documented catheter positions and the sides examined. The report should identify the right and left renal branches selected and describe the angiographic study. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. It has a 0-day global period, with same-day preoperative and postoperative care included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple procedure reduction. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; 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 South Dakota compares for 36254
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36254 runs from $1,656.96 in Arkansas to $2,616.29 in San Benito County, CA. South Dakota pays $1,871.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Dakota · this page$1,871.50
- Los Angeles, CA · California$2,192.86+$321.36
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$2,214.17+$342.67
- Miami, FL · Florida$2,063.61+$192.11
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,994.47+$122.97
- Manhattan, NY · New York$2,218.56+$347.06
- Alaska · Alaska$2,116.18+$244.68
Other areas in South Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $1,685.42 | $331.39 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $1,656.96 | $327.69 |
| ArizonaArizona | $1,852.10 | $352.61 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $2,045.27 | $349.25 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $2,040.82 | $344.80 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $2,404.81 | $365.26 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $2,185.55 | $356.45 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $2,059.11 | $363.09 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $2,152.28 | $352.58 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $2,144.61 | $351.10 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $2,203.71 | $352.95 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $2,556.94 | $375.02 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $2,554.98 | $373.05 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $2,616.29 | $384.84 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $2,608.25 | $376.81 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $2,109.11 | $346.55 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $2,231.35 | $351.19 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $2,155.01 | $350.66 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $2,254.40 | $354.12 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $2,401.98 | $362.42 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $2,040.53 | $344.51 |
| ColoradoColorado | $2,002.37 | $355.87 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $2,049.95 | $383.33 |
| DelawareDelaware | $1,886.17 | $357.28 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $1,977.29 | $409.71 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $1,868.75 | $389.38 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $1,947.77 | $375.54 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $1,748.71 | $368.37 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $2,104.04 | $344.57 |
| IowaIowa | $1,739.45 | $323.52 |
| IdahoIdaho | $1,751.82 | $328.15 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $1,840.86 | $417.20 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $1,803.64 | $390.81 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $1,999.33 | $410.09 |
| IndianaIndiana | $1,763.74 | $329.24 |
| KansasKansas | $1,728.09 | $329.19 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $1,727.92 | $352.22 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $1,823.62 | $367.46 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $1,724.02 | $354.52 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $2,223.46 | $375.79 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $1,986.78 | $357.30 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $2,044.10 | $383.67 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $1,926.84 | $360.80 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $1,760.43 | $336.76 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $1,874.19 | $340.65 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $1,893.68 | $400.38 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $1,778.56 | $365.73 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $1,915.44 | $323.10 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $1,811.25 | $358.18 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $1,833.42 | $360.24 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $1,688.27 | $354.35 |
| MississippiMississippi | $1,673.09 | $340.73 |
| MontanaMontana | $1,909.75 | $362.28 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $1,782.15 | $338.36 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $1,875.54 | $328.08 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $1,751.12 | $322.81 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $1,968.03 | $357.12 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $2,185.18 | $390.12 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $2,072.49 | $382.66 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $1,789.10 | $370.08 |
| NevadaNevada | $1,901.81 | $352.80 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $2,277.28 | $437.34 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $2,085.09 | $390.61 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $2,242.13 | $413.03 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $1,812.96 | $342.87 |
| OhioOhio | $1,771.57 | $358.74 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $1,726.32 | $344.44 |
| Portland, OROregon | $2,076.22 | $356.99 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $1,886.32 | $345.05 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $1,991.04 | $380.13 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $1,775.90 | $355.33 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $1,926.54 | $362.05 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $1,961.14 | $362.61 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $1,779.98 | $350.13 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $1,737.97 | $331.33 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $1,996.29 | $359.08 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $1,762.22 | $354.03 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $1,884.85 | $351.32 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $1,897.59 | $356.32 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $1,882.40 | $356.60 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $1,890.82 | $354.19 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $1,922.48 | $385.85 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $1,822.92 | $354.38 |
| UtahUtah | $1,808.28 | $353.66 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $1,865.76 | $344.61 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $1,926.54 | $362.05 |
| VermontVermont | $1,865.37 | $333.38 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $1,983.93 | $354.45 |
| King County, WAWashington | $2,274.19 | $375.45 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $1,802.89 | $320.42 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $1,725.84 | $381.09 |
| WyomingWyoming | $1,894.84 | $347.38 |
36254 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.
$1,656.96
$2,328.41
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 | $2,116.18 | 1 |
| AL | $1,685.42 | 1 |
| AR | $1,656.96 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,852.10 | 1 |
| CA | $2,040.53–$2,616.29 | 29 |
| CO | $2,002.37 | 1 |
| CT | $2,049.95 | 1 |
| DC | $2,214.17 | 1 |
| DE | $1,886.17 | 1 |
| FL | $1,868.75–$2,063.61 | 3 |
| GA | $1,748.71–$1,947.77 | 2 |
| GU | $2,104.04 | 1 |
| HI | $2,104.04 | 1 |
| IA | $1,739.45 | 1 |
| ID | $1,751.82 | 1 |
| IL | $1,803.64–$1,999.33 | 4 |
| IN | $1,763.74 | 1 |
| KS | $1,728.09 | 1 |
| KY | $1,727.92 | 1 |
| LA | $1,724.02–$1,823.62 | 2 |
| MA | $1,986.78–$2,223.46 | 2 |
| MD | $1,926.84–$2,214.17 | 3 |
| ME | $1,760.43–$1,874.19 | 2 |
| MI | $1,778.56–$1,893.68 | 2 |
| MN | $1,915.44 | 1 |
| MO | $1,688.27–$1,833.42 | 3 |
| MS | $1,673.09 | 1 |
| MT | $1,909.75 | 1 |
| NC | $1,782.15 | 1 |
| ND | $1,875.54 | 1 |
| NE | $1,751.12 | 1 |
| NH | $1,968.03 | 1 |
| NJ | $2,072.49–$2,185.18 | 2 |
| NM | $1,789.10 | 1 |
| NV | $1,901.81 | 1 |
| NY | $1,812.96–$2,277.28 | 5 |
| OH | $1,771.57 | 1 |
| OK | $1,726.32 | 1 |
| OR | $1,886.32–$2,076.22 | 2 |
| PA | $1,775.90–$1,991.04 | 2 |
| PR | $1,926.54 | 1 |
| RI | $1,961.14 | 1 |
| SC | $1,779.98 | 1 |
| SD | $1,871.50 | 1 |
| TN | $1,737.97 | 1 |
| TX | $1,762.22–$1,996.29 | 8 |
| UT | $1,808.28 | 1 |
| VA | $1,865.76–$2,214.17 | 2 |
| VI | $1,926.54 | 1 |
| VT | $1,865.37 | 1 |
| WA | $1,983.93–$2,274.19 | 2 |
| WI | $1,802.89 | 1 |
| WV | $1,725.84 | 1 |
| WY | $1,894.84 | 1 |
How the 36254 rate is calculated
Each of 36254’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 · 36254
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work7.70
7.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense47.75
47.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.73
1.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
57.1800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,909.86
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact South Dakota inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,462
- Code
- 36254
- Physician work
- 7.70
- Practice expense
- 47.75
- Malpractice
- 1.73
GPCI2026.csv
94
- Locality
- South Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.336
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 7.70 | × 1.000 | 7.7000 |
| Practice expense | 47.75 | × 1.000 | 47.7500 |
| Malpractice | 1.73 | × 0.336 | 0.5813 |
| Total RVUs | 56.0313 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Dakota$1871.50
Office: (7.7 × 1 + 47.75 × 1 + 1.73 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $1871.50
Facility: (7.7 × 1 + 1.42 × 1 + 1.73 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $324.03
Payment rules and modifiers for 36254
The CMS indicators that decide how 36254 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 36254
Renal catheterization, second-order or more, bilateral
| 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) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| 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
36254 without 51 · national office
$1,909.86
Renal catheterization, second-order or more, bilateral
36254-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$954.93
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 36254 has changed in South Dakota
36254 · Office / nonfacility
$1871.50
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $101.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1769.58 to $1871.50 (5.8%).
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
$1769.58changed to$1871.50
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 7.90 changed to 7.70
- Practice expense RVU 46.15 changed to 47.75
- Malpractice RVU 1.72 changed to 1.73
- Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$1900.95changed to$1769.58
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 48.55 changed to 46.15
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$1869.92changed to$1900.95
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$1983.44changed to$1869.92
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 50.03 changed to 48.55
- Malpractice RVU 1.65 changed to 1.72
- Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$2096.74changed to$1983.44
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 52.13 changed to 50.03
- Malpractice RVU 1.61 changed to 1.65
- Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$2199.72changed to$2096.74
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 54.59 changed to 52.13
- Malpractice RVU 1.59 changed to 1.61
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$2188.16changed to$2199.72
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 52.15 changed to 54.59
- Malpractice RVU 1.58 changed to 1.59
- Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$2155.12changed to$2188.16
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 51.25 changed to 52.15
- Malpractice RVU 1.67 changed to 1.58
- Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$2167.72changed to$2155.12
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 51.65 changed to 51.25
- Malpractice RVU 1.71 changed to 1.67
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$2139.23changed to$2167.72
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 51.02 changed to 51.65
- Malpractice RVU 1.74 changed to 1.71
- Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$2210.41changed to$2139.23
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Work RVU 8.15 changed to 7.90
- Practice expense RVU 52.87 changed to 51.02
- Malpractice RVU 1.79 changed to 1.74
- Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$2216.45changed to$2210.41
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 52.82 changed to 52.87
- Malpractice RVU 1.78 changed to 1.79
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$2205.42changed to$2216.45
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$2181.01changed to$2205.42
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 52.13 changed to 52.82
- Malpractice RVU 1.45 changed to 1.78
- Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$2378.77changed to$2181.01
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 61.11 changed to 52.13
- Malpractice RVU 1.52 changed to 1.45
- Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $2378.77
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $1,871.50 | $324.03 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $1,871.50 | $324.03 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $1,871.50 | $324.03 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $1,871.50 | $324.03 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $1,769.58 | $360.89 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $1,769.58 | $360.89 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $1,769.58 | $360.89 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $1,769.58 | $360.89 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $1,900.95 | $369.39 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $1,900.95 | $369.39 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $1,900.95 | $369.39 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $1,900.95 | $369.39 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $1,869.92 | $363.36 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $1,983.44 | $374.47 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $1,983.44 | $374.47 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $1,983.44 | $374.47 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $1,983.44 | $374.47 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $2,096.74 | $379.24 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $2,096.74 | $379.24 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $2,096.74 | $379.24 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $2,096.74 | $379.24 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $2,199.72 | $381.09 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $2,199.72 | $381.09 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $2,199.72 | $381.09 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $2,199.72 | $381.09 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $2,188.16 | $397.76 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $2,188.16 | $397.76 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $2,188.16 | $397.76 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $2,188.16 | $397.76 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $2,155.12 | $400.38 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $2,155.12 | $400.38 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $2,155.12 | $400.38 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $2,155.12 | $400.38 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $2,167.72 | $404.10 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $2,167.72 | $404.10 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $2,167.72 | $404.10 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $2,167.72 | $404.10 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $2,139.23 | $404.37 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $2,139.23 | $404.37 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $2,139.23 | $404.37 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $2,139.23 | $404.37 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $2,210.41 | $416.98 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $2,210.41 | $416.98 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $2,210.41 | $416.98 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $2,210.41 | $416.98 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $2,216.45 | $418.34 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $2,216.45 | $418.34 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $2,205.42 | $416.26 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $2,205.42 | $416.26 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $2,181.01 | $413.87 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $2,181.01 | $413.87 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $2,181.01 | $413.87 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $2,181.01 | $413.87 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $2,378.77 | $393.19 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $2,378.77 | $393.19 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $2,378.77 | $393.19 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $2,378.77 | $393.19 | RVU13AR |
Where the South Dakota rate applies
South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Agar
- Agency Village
- Akaska
- Albee
- Alcester
- Alexandria
- Allen
36254 billing questions
When should 36254 be selected instead of 36252?
Use 36254 when selective catheter placement reaches second-order or more distal renal artery branches on both sides. Code 36252 describes bilateral study at the main renal artery level.
Can 36254 be reported when distal branch selection is unilateral?
No. The bilateral code requires the qualifying branch-level service on both sides; 36253 is the unilateral second-order-or-more code.
Is renal angiographic imaging separately reported?
The diagnostic renal angiographic imaging is included in this service. The record should support the selective catheter positions and the imaging performed.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
The code is already priced as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
How does the multiple procedure reduction affect 36254?
When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction.
What are the assistant and global-period rules?
The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and 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
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