CPT code 36482: Vein ablation, chemical adhesive, first vein2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $1,657.35 for 36482 nationally in the office and $158.65 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $1,431.11–$2,329.39.

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

What 36482 covers

Code 36482 represents percutaneous catheter-based closure of an incompetent extremity vein using a chemical adhesive, commonly cyanoacrylate, rather than heat or injected sclerosant. Vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other appropriately trained physicians use it for symptomatic superficial venous reflux, often involving a saphenous vein, in office-based procedure rooms or hospital outpatient settings. Imaging guidance and monitoring during the ablation are included in the service.

Report 36482 for the first vein treated; code 36483 identifies each additional vein treated in the same session. The record should identify the treated vein and side, document the venous disease or reflux supporting intervention, and describe catheter delivery and closure. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are reduced to 50%. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 36482 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

36482 rates by state

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

How the 36482 rate is calculated

Each of 36482’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 36482

The CMS indicators that decide how 36482 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

36482 compared with similar codes

How to choose

36483Vein ablationAdditional vein, same extremity

36482 identifies the first vein treated with adhesive; 36483 is used for each additional vein treated in the same session.

36473Vein ablationMechanochemical, first vein

36473 is mechanochemical ablation using mechanical disruption and sclerosant. Use 36482 when the closure method is chemical adhesive.

36475Venous ablationRadiofrequency, first vein

36475 uses radiofrequency energy, while 36482 uses chemical adhesive for catheter-based vein closure.

36478Laser vein ablationFirst vein treated

36478 uses laser energy to ablate the vein; 36482 uses chemical adhesive.

Codes related to 36482

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