CPT code 36473: Vein ablation, mechanochemical, first vein2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,174.04 for 36473 nationally in the office and $158.32 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $1,015.94–$1,632.46.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 36473 covers

This code covers percutaneous treatment of an incompetent lower-extremity vein using a catheter that mechanically disrupts the vein lining while delivering a sclerosant. It is used for superficial venous reflux, such as in a saphenous vein, and is typically performed by a vascular surgeon or another clinician trained in endovenous vein procedures in an office vein center or facility. Imaging guidance and monitoring during the treatment are included in the service.

Report 36473 for the first vein treated by this method; report 36474 for each additional vein treated in the same extremity. Documentation should identify the treated vein, the venous incompetence, the mechanochemical method, and any additional vein treated. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services are 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.

Where 36473 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

36473 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 36473 rate is calculated

Each of 36473’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 36473

The CMS indicators that decide how 36473 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

36473 compared with similar codes

How to choose

36474Vein ablationAdditional vein

36473 is for the first vein treated by mechanochemical ablation; 36474 is the add-on for each additional vein in the same extremity.

36475Venous ablationRadiofrequency, first vein

Use 36475 for radiofrequency ablation of the first vein. Use 36473 when treatment combines mechanical disruption with sclerosant delivery.

36478Laser vein ablationFirst vein treated

Use 36478 for laser ablation of the first vein; 36473 describes the mechanochemical method instead.

36482Vein ablationChemical adhesive, first vein

36482 uses transcatheter chemical adhesive to close the vein. Code 36473 describes mechanochemical treatment with a sclerosant.

Codes related to 36473

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates