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CPT code 36479: Laser vein ablation, each additional vein2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports laser ablation of an additional incompetent vein in the same extremity after the primary endovenous laser vein treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $320.57 for 36479 in the office and $117.29 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$320.57Office (non-facility)
$117.29Hospital or facility
+3.3%vs the national office rate ($310.29)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36479 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 36479 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 36479 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 36479 covers

This add-on reports laser treatment of an additional incompetent vein in the same extremity during an endovenous ablation session. Vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other qualified physicians may perform the procedure in an office or facility setting. It is used alongside treatment of the first vein, not as a stand-alone service.

Report 36479 with the primary laser ablation code 36478 when another vein in that extremity is treated. Documentation should identify the treated veins and extremity and support that laser ablation was performed on each reported vein. CMS treats this as an add-on paid within the primary procedure's global period. For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, CMS payment is 150%.

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 Colorado compares for 36479

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36479 runs from $272.49 in Arkansas to $402.49 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $320.57. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36479 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$320.57
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$345.48+$24.91
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$353.67+$33.10
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$346.32+$25.75
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$335.29+$14.72
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$359.76+$39.19
  7. Alaska · Alaska$358.68+$38.11

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

Every other payment area

36479 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$276.71$109.53
ArkansasArkansas$272.49$108.37
ArizonaArizona$301.31$116.18
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$324.66$115.27
Chico, CACalifornia$323.17$113.78
El Centro, CACalifornia$323.26$113.87
Fresno, CACalifornia$323.17$113.78
Hanford, CACalifornia$323.17$113.78

36479 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$272.49

$362.83

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

View every state and territory as a table
36479 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$358.681
AL$276.711
AR$272.491
AZ$301.311
CA$323.17–$402.4929
CO$320.571
CT$331.671
DC$353.671
DE$306.431
FL$310.30–$346.323
GA$291.50–$317.482
GU$330.931
HI$330.931
IA$281.901
ID$284.301
IL$302.52–$335.294
IN$285.981
KS$281.561
KY$285.891
LA$285.84–$300.592
MA$318.93–$351.822
MD$312.15–$353.673
ME$286.99–$301.782
MI$294.69–$315.452
MN$303.571
MO$281.39–$300.443
MS$276.941
MT$310.261
NC$289.981
ND$299.581
NE$283.211
NH$316.491
NJ$334.45–$349.922
NM$296.811
NV$307.491
NY$294.63–$370.225
OH$292.511
OK$284.221
OR$304.11–$329.932
PA$292.40–$323.782
PR$312.291
RI$316.781
SC$291.931
SD$298.321
TN$283.191
TX$290.47–$320.368
UT$296.091
VA$301.49–$353.672
VI$312.291
VT$299.321
WA$318.03–$358.082
WI$289.161
WV$291.071
WY$305.601

See 36479 in every payment locality

How the 36479 rate is calculated

Each of 36479’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 · 36479

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.58

2.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.17

6.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.54

0.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.2900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$310.29

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,491

Code
36479
Physician work
2.58
Practice expense
6.17
Malpractice
0.54

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 36479 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.58× 1.0122.6110
Practice expense6.17× 1.0646.5649
Malpractice0.54× 0.7810.4217
Total RVUs9.5976
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$320.57

Office: (2.58 × 1.012 + 6.17 × 1.064 + 0.54 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $320.57

Facility: (2.58 × 1.012 + 0.45 × 1.064 + 0.54 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $117.29

Open 36479 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36479

The CMS indicators that decide how 36479 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36479

Laser vein ablation, each additional vein

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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

36479 without 50 · national office

$310.29

Laser vein ablation, each additional vein

36479-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$465.44

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

Codes related to 36479

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

Codes related to 36479
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Primary code
36478Laser vein ablation, first vein treatedPrimary endovenous laser ablation code reported for the first treated vein.$1,023.77
Used instead
36476Vein ablation, additional vein, radiofrequencyAdditional-vein ablation using radiofrequency rather than laser.$286.88
36474Vein ablation, additional veinAdditional-vein endovenous treatment using mechanochemical ablation.$249.32
36483Vein ablation, additional vein, same extremitySubsequent-vein treatment using endovenous chemical adhesive.$143.58

How 36479 has changed in Colorado

36479 · Office / nonfacility

$320.57

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $25.23 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $295.34 to $320.57 (8.5%).

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

    $295.34changed to$320.57

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.65 changed to 2.58
    • Practice expense RVU 5.71 changed to 6.17
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $306.66changed to$295.34

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.78 changed to 5.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.54

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $301.65changed to$306.66

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $310.85changed to$301.65

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.79 changed to 5.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.55
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $320.53changed to$310.85

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.91 changed to 5.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.55 changed to 0.54
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $335.17changed to$320.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.26 changed to 5.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.55

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $340.41changed to$335.17

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.11 changed to 6.26
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $330.01changed to$340.41

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.87 changed to 6.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.52
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $322.32changed to$330.01

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.67 changed to 5.87

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $320.45changed to$322.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $320.06changed to$320.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 5.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $319.37changed to$320.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.62 changed to 5.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.51 changed to 0.52

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $317.78changed to$319.37

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $397.44changed to$317.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Work RVU 3.38 changed to 2.65
    • Practice expense RVU 7.05 changed to 5.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $407.21changed to$397.44

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.99 changed to 7.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.62
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $407.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$320.57$117.29RVU26D
2026-07-01$320.57$117.29RVU26C
2026-04-01$320.57$117.29RVU26B
2026-01-01$320.57$117.29RVU26A
2025-10-01$295.34$128.10RVU25D
2025-07-01$295.34$128.10RVU25C
2025-04-01$295.34$128.10RVU25B
2025-01-01$295.34$128.10RVU25A
2024-10-01$306.66$131.40RVU24D
2024-07-01$306.66$131.40RVU24C
2024-04-01$306.66$131.40RVU24B
2024-03-09$306.66$131.40RVU24AR
2024-01-01$301.65$129.25RVU24A
2023-10-01$310.85$132.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$310.85$132.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$310.85$132.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$310.85$132.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$320.53$134.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$320.53$134.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$320.53$134.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$320.53$134.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$335.17$134.97RVU21D
2021-07-01$335.17$134.97RVU21C
2021-04-01$335.17$134.97RVU21B
2021-01-01$335.17$134.97RVU21A
2020-10-01$340.41$142.07RVU20D
2020-07-01$340.41$142.07RVU20C
2020-04-01$340.41$142.07RVU20B
2020-01-01$340.41$142.07RVU20A
2019-10-01$330.01$143.64RVU19D
2019-07-01$330.01$143.64RVU19C
2019-04-01$330.01$143.64RVU19B
2019-01-01$330.01$143.64RVU19A
2018-10-01$322.32$143.85RVU18D
2018-07-01$322.32$143.85RVU18C
2018-04-01$322.32$143.85RVU18B
2018-01-01$322.32$143.85RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$320.45$144.87RVU17D
2017-07-01$320.45$144.87RVU17C
2017-04-01$320.45$144.87RVU17B
2017-01-01$320.45$144.87RVU17A
2016-10-01$320.06$144.50RVU16D
2016-07-01$320.06$144.50RVU16C
2016-04-01$320.06$144.50RVU16B
2016-01-01$320.06$144.50RVU16A
2015-10-01$319.37$144.99RVU15D
2015-07-01$319.37$144.99RVU15C
2015-04-01$317.78$144.27RVU15B
2015-01-01$317.78$144.27RVU15A
2014-10-01$397.44$180.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$397.44$180.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$397.44$180.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$397.44$180.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$407.21$173.56RVU13D
2013-07-01$407.21$173.56RVU13C
2013-04-01$407.21$173.56RVU13B
2013-01-01$407.21$173.56RVU13AR

Price 36479 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

36479 billing questions

When is 36479 reported instead of 36478?

Use 36478 for the first vein treated with endovenous laser ablation. Report 36479 for each additional treated vein in the same extremity.

Can 36479 be billed without 36478?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the primary laser ablation procedure, 36478.

How does 36479 differ from 36476?

Both describe additional-vein treatment, but 36479 is for laser ablation and 36476 is for radiofrequency ablation.

What should the procedure note identify?

Document the extremity, each vein treated, and the use of laser ablation. The record should support that a vein beyond the first vein was treated.

How is bilateral treatment handled?

CMS pays a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50 at 150%. The add-on must still accompany the applicable primary procedure.

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 36479PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,491 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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