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

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 Queens, NY, Medicare pays $361.29 for 36479 in the office and $135.46 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$361.29Office (non-facility)
$135.46Hospital or facility
+16.4%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 Queens, NY
  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 Queens, NY 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. Queens, NY pays $361.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36479 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$361.29
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$359.76−$1.53
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$370.22+$8.93
  4. Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY · New York$337.54−$23.75
  5. Rest of New York · New York$294.63−$66.66
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$345.48−$15.81
  7. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$353.67−$7.62

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

Every other payment area

36479 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$346.32$147.44
Chicago, ILIllinois$335.29$143.28
AlaskaAlaska$358.68$155.21
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

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 Queens, NY 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

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 36479 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.58× 1.0642.7451
Practice expense6.17× 1.1827.2929
Malpractice0.54× 1.4420.7787
Total RVUs10.8167
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$361.29

Office: (2.58 × 1.064 + 6.17 × 1.182 + 0.54 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $361.29

Facility: (2.58 × 1.064 + 0.45 × 1.182 + 0.54 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $135.46

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, Queens, NY
Primary code
36478Laser vein ablation, first vein treatedPrimary endovenous laser ablation code reported for the first treated vein.$1,147.82
Used instead
36476Vein ablation, additional vein, radiofrequencyAdditional-vein ablation using radiofrequency rather than laser.$324.44
36474Vein ablation, additional veinAdditional-vein endovenous treatment using mechanochemical ablation.$280.82
36483Vein ablation, additional vein, same extremitySubsequent-vein treatment using endovenous chemical adhesive.$163.73

How 36479 has changed in Queens, NY

36479 · Office / nonfacility

$361.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $23.75 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $337.54 to $361.29 (7.0%).

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

    $337.54changed to$361.29

    • 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 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $350.63changed to$337.54

    • 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

    $344.91changed to$350.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $370.80changed to$344.91

    • 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 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $398.64changed to$370.80

    • 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 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $414.16changed to$398.64

    • 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

    $413.37changed to$414.16

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.11 changed to 6.26
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $393.31changed to$413.37

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $384.24changed to$393.31

    • 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

    $383.09changed to$384.24

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $383.40changed to$383.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.66 changed to 5.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $382.28changed to$383.40

    • 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

    $380.38changed to$382.28

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $471.06changed to$380.38

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $479.95changed to$471.06

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $479.95

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$361.29$135.46RVU26D
2026-07-01$361.29$135.46RVU26C
2026-04-01$361.29$135.46RVU26B
2026-01-01$361.29$135.46RVU26A
2025-10-01$337.54$147.75RVU25D
2025-07-01$337.54$147.75RVU25C
2025-04-01$337.54$147.75RVU25B
2025-01-01$337.54$147.75RVU25A
2024-10-01$350.63$151.74RVU24D
2024-07-01$350.63$151.74RVU24C
2024-04-01$350.63$151.74RVU24B
2024-03-09$350.63$151.74RVU24AR
2024-01-01$344.91$149.26RVU24A
2023-10-01$370.80$164.62RVU23D
2023-07-01$370.80$164.62RVU23C
2023-04-01$370.80$164.62RVU23B
2023-01-01$370.80$164.62RVU23A
2022-10-01$398.64$180.64RVU22D
2022-07-01$398.64$180.64RVU22C
2022-04-01$398.64$180.64RVU22B
2022-01-01$398.64$180.64RVU22A
2021-10-01$414.16$179.35RVU21D
2021-07-01$414.16$179.35RVU21C
2021-04-01$414.16$179.35RVU21B
2021-01-01$414.16$179.35RVU21A
2020-10-01$413.37$180.28RVU20D
2020-07-01$413.37$180.28RVU20C
2020-04-01$413.37$180.28RVU20B
2020-01-01$413.37$180.28RVU20A
2019-10-01$393.31$173.62RVU19D
2019-07-01$393.31$173.62RVU19C
2019-04-01$393.31$173.62RVU19B
2019-01-01$393.31$173.62RVU19A
2018-10-01$384.24$173.86RVU18D
2018-07-01$384.24$173.86RVU18C
2018-04-01$384.24$173.86RVU18B
2018-01-01$384.24$173.86RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$383.09$175.51RVU17D
2017-07-01$383.09$175.51RVU17C
2017-04-01$383.09$175.51RVU17B
2017-01-01$383.09$175.51RVU17A
2016-10-01$383.40$175.19RVU16D
2016-07-01$383.40$175.19RVU16C
2016-04-01$383.40$175.19RVU16B
2016-01-01$383.40$175.19RVU16A
2015-10-01$382.28$175.47RVU15D
2015-07-01$382.28$175.47RVU15C
2015-04-01$380.38$174.60RVU15B
2015-01-01$380.38$174.60RVU15A
2014-10-01$471.06$213.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$471.06$213.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$471.06$213.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$471.06$213.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$479.95$201.86RVU13D
2013-07-01$479.95$201.86RVU13C
2013-04-01$479.95$201.86RVU13B
2013-01-01$479.95$201.86RVU13AR

Price 36479 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

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 Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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