CPT code 36479: Laser vein ablation, each additional vein2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Michigan
Reports laser ablation of an additional incompetent vein in the same extremity after the primary endovenous laser vein treatment.
Medicare pays $294.69–$315.45 for 36479 in the office in Michigan, from Rest of Michigan to Detroit, MI. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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.
Where 36479 pays more and less in Michigan
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | $315.45 | $131.09 |
| Rest of Michigan | $294.69 | $120.26 |
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
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.
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| 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 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).
36479 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 36478Laser vein ablationFirst vein treated
- 36478 reports laser ablation of the first vein treated in the extremity; 36479 reports an additional treated vein and is used with 36478.
- 36476Vein ablationAdditional vein, radiofrequency
- This is the additional-vein code for radiofrequency ablation. Choose 36479 when the additional vein is treated with laser energy.
- 36474Vein ablationAdditional vein
- This reports an additional vein treated by mechanochemical ablation, not laser ablation.
- 36483Vein ablationAdditional vein, same extremity
- This reports treatment of a subsequent vein with chemical adhesive; 36479 is for additional-vein laser ablation.
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
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