CPT code 36470: Vein sclerotherapy, one incompetent vein2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced, CA

Reports injection of sclerosant into one incompetent vein, commonly to treat a varicose vein associated with venous insufficiency.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality11.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Merced, CA, Medicare pays $127.79 for 36470 in the office and $32.24 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$127.79Office (non-facility)
$32.24Hospital or facility
+5.7%vs the national office rate ($120.91)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36470 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 36470 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Merced, CA
  2. What 36470 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 36470 covers

A clinician injects a sclerosing agent into one incompetent vein, commonly a varicose vein in a patient with chronic venous insufficiency. Vascular surgeons, vein specialists, and other clinicians who perform venous procedures may provide the service in an office or facility. Imaging guidance and monitoring integral to the injection are included in the service.

Choose this code when treatment is directed to one incompetent vein; treatment of multiple incompetent veins is reported with 36471. The record should identify the treated vein, the venous condition, and the injection performed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. 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 Merced, CA compares for 36470

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36470 runs from $105.58 in Arkansas to $161.72 in San Benito County, CA. Merced, CA pays $127.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36470 in Merced, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Merced, CA · this page$127.79
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$128.20+$0.41
  3. Chico, CA · California$127.79
  4. El Centro, CA · California$127.81+$0.02
  5. Fresno, CA · California$127.79
  6. Hanford, CA · California$127.79
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$136.98+$9.19

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

Every other payment area

36470 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$127.79$32.24
Modesto, CACalifornia$127.79$32.24
Napa, CACalifornia$149.09$34.19
Oxnard, CACalifornia$136.36$33.32
Redding, CACalifornia$127.79$32.24
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$127.79$32.24
Riverside, CACalifornia$129.40$33.85
Sacramento, CACalifornia$134.38$33.00

36470 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.

$105.58

$144.76

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

View every state and territory as a table
36470 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$136.801
AL$107.301
AR$105.581
AZ$117.351
CA$127.79–$161.7229
CO$125.961
CT$129.501
DC$139.081
DE$119.431
FL$119.40–$132.323
GA$111.99–$123.462
GU$131.341
HI$131.341
IA$110.111
ID$110.951
IL$115.77–$128.034
IN$111.661
KS$109.641
KY$110.331
LA$110.18–$116.192
MA$125.13–$139.112
MD$121.84–$139.083
ME$111.70–$118.242
MI$113.60–$121.152
MN$120.041
MO$108.15–$116.533
MS$106.881
MT$120.901
NC$112.971
ND$117.941
NE$110.751
NH$124.041
NJ$130.79–$137.432
NM$114.321
NV$120.171
NY$114.85–$144.065
OH$112.991
OK$110.001
OR$119.06–$130.182
PA$113.13–$126.072
PR$121.841
RI$123.851
SC$113.201
SD$117.581
TN$110.261
TX$112.32–$125.708
UT$114.911
VA$117.88–$139.082
VI$121.841
VT$117.521
WA$124.88–$141.992
WI$113.601
WV$111.081
WY$119.611

See 36470 in every payment locality

How the 36470 rate is calculated

Each of 36470’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 · 36470

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.73

0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.74

2.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.6200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$120.91

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

The exact Merced, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,484

Code
36470
Physician work
0.73
Practice expense
2.74
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 36470 in Merced, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.73× 1.0170.7424
Practice expense2.74× 1.0963.0030
Malpractice0.15× 0.5360.0804
Total RVUs3.8259
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Merced, CA$127.79

Office: (0.73 × 1.017 + 2.74 × 1.096 + 0.15 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $127.79

Facility: (0.73 × 1.017 + 0.13 × 1.096 + 0.15 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $32.24

Open 36470 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36470

The CMS indicators that decide how 36470 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36470

Vein sclerotherapy, one incompetent vein

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

36470 without 50 · national office

$120.91

Vein sclerotherapy, one incompetent vein

36470-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$181.37

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 36470 has changed in Merced, CA

36470 · Office / nonfacility

$127.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.14 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $117.65 to $127.79 (8.6%).

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

    $117.65changed to$127.79

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $121.25changed to$117.65

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $119.27changed to$121.25

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $122.16changed to$119.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.54 changed to 2.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $123.53changed to$122.16

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.17
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $121.79changed to$123.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $116.17changed to$121.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $112.85changed to$116.17

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.13 changed to 2.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $111.95changed to$112.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.11 changed to 2.13

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $156.72changed to$111.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 1.10 changed to 0.75
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 2.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$156.72

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$127.79$32.24RVU26D
2026-07-01$127.79$32.24RVU26C
2026-04-01$127.79$32.24RVU26B
2026-01-01$127.79$32.24RVU26A
2025-10-01$117.65$35.63RVU25D
2025-07-01$117.65$35.63RVU25C
2025-04-01$117.65$35.63RVU25B
2025-01-01$117.65$35.63RVU25A
2024-10-01$121.25$36.12RVU24D
2024-07-01$121.25$36.12RVU24C
2024-04-01$121.25$36.12RVU24B
2024-03-09$121.25$36.12RVU24AR
2024-01-01$119.27$35.53RVU24A
2023-10-01$122.16$37.33RVU23D
2023-07-01$122.16$37.33RVU23C
2023-04-01$122.16$37.33RVU23B
2023-01-01$122.16$37.33RVU23A
2022-10-01$123.53$37.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$123.53$37.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$123.53$37.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$123.53$37.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$121.79$38.18RVU21D
2021-07-01$121.79$38.18RVU21C
2021-04-01$121.79$38.18RVU21B
2021-01-01$121.79$38.18RVU21A
2020-10-01$116.17$38.93RVU20D
2020-07-01$116.17$38.93RVU20C
2020-04-01$116.17$38.93RVU20B
2020-01-01$116.17$38.93RVU20A
2019-10-01$112.85$38.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$112.85$38.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$112.85$38.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$112.85$38.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$111.95$38.88RVU18D
2018-07-01$111.95$38.88RVU18C
2018-04-01$111.95$38.88RVU18B
2018-01-01$111.95$38.88RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$156.72$87.40RVU17D
2017-07-01$156.72$87.40RVU17C
2017-04-01$156.72$87.40RVU17B
2017-01-01$156.72$87.40RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 36470 for an earlier date of service

Where the Merced, CA rate applies

Merced, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Merced
  • Atwater
  • Ballico
  • Bear Creek
  • Cressey
  • Delhi
  • Dos Palos
  • Dos Palos Y

Browse all communities in California

36470 billing questions

When should 36470 be chosen instead of 36471?

Use 36470 when one incompetent vein is treated. When multiple incompetent veins are treated, consider 36471.

Can imaging guidance be billed separately?

Imaging guidance and monitoring integral to the sclerotherapy service are included; do not unbundle them as separate services.

How should bilateral treatment be reported?

For a bilateral procedure, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Does 36470 have a postoperative global period?

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

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

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

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 36470PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,484 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Merced, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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