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CPT code 36555: Central line insertion, under age 52026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports placement of a non-tunneled, centrally inserted venous catheter in a child younger than five, such as for intensive-care infusions or monitoring.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality21 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $243.29 for 36555 in the office and $85.12 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$243.29Office (non-facility)
$85.12Hospital or facility
+14.0%vs the national office rate ($213.43)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36555 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 36555 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 36555 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 36555 covers

This service covers placement of a non-tunneled central venous catheter in a child younger than five. A physician or other qualified clinician may perform it in an operating room, intensive care unit, emergency department, or another setting requiring central access. Typical access routes include the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein. The catheter provides central venous access for needs such as vasoactive medication, prolonged infusion, or hemodynamic monitoring; it is not a tunneled line, implanted port, or peripherally inserted catheter.

Select this code based on the patient’s age on the service date and the centrally inserted, non-tunneled catheter type. Documentation should identify the indication, catheter and access route, insertion, and the patient’s age. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay for an assistant-at-surgery service for this code, and co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting is 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 36555

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36555 runs from $190.35 in Arkansas to $282.08 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $243.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36555 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$243.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$240.80−$2.49
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$227.56−$15.73
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$221.52−$21.77
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$244.12+$0.83
  6. Alaska · Alaska$251.87+$8.58
  7. Alabama · Alabama$192.95−$50.34

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

36555 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$190.35$75.01
ArizonaArizona$208.16$78.05
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$226.48$79.32
Chico, CACalifornia$225.97$78.81
El Centro, CACalifornia$225.99$78.83
Fresno, CACalifornia$225.97$78.81
Hanford, CACalifornia$225.97$78.81
Madera, CACalifornia$225.97$78.81

36555 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.

$190.35

$254.02

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

View every state and territory as a table
36555 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$251.871
AL$192.951
AR$190.351
AZ$208.161
CA$225.97–$282.0829
CO$222.311
CT$227.001
DC$243.291
DE$211.461
FL$209.73–$227.563
GA$198.77–$217.022
GU$231.091
HI$231.091
IA$197.861
ID$198.991
IL$203.80–$221.924
IN$200.081
KS$196.831
KY$196.851
LA$196.50–$205.592
MA$221.05–$243.612
MD$215.36–$243.293
ME$199.79–$210.152
MI$201.48–$212.012
MN$213.881
MO$193.24–$206.473
MS$191.841
MT$213.421
NC$201.771
ND$210.261
NE$198.921
NH$218.721
NJ$229.83–$241.002
NM$202.451
NV$212.681
NY$204.58–$249.495
OH$200.831
OK$196.691
OR$211.26–$229.202
PA$201.22–$221.552
PR$214.951
RI$218.841
SC$201.591
SD$209.881
TN$197.741
TX$199.98–$221.388
UT$204.171
VA$209.39–$243.292
VI$214.951
VT$209.341
WA$220.67–$248.582
WI$203.631
WV$196.701
WY$212.041

See 36555 in every payment locality

How the 36555 rate is calculated

Each of 36555’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 · 36555

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.88

1.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.35

4.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.3900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$213.43

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,504

Code
36555
Physician work
1.88
Practice expense
4.35
Malpractice
0.16

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 36555 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.88× 1.0541.9815
Practice expense4.35× 1.1785.1243
Malpractice0.16× 1.1130.1781
Total RVUs7.2839
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$243.29

Office: (1.88 × 1.054 + 4.35 × 1.178 + 0.16 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $243.29

Facility: (1.88 × 1.054 + 0.33 × 1.178 + 0.16 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $85.12

Open 36555 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36555

The CMS indicators that decide how 36555 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36555

Central line insertion, under age 5

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
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.

Codes related to 36555

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

Codes related to 36555
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
36556Central line insertion, age 5 years or olderSame non-tunneled central catheter service for patients age five and older.$272.56
Used instead
36557Tunneled catheter, under age five, no portTunneled central catheter insertion for a patient younger than five.$1,464.36
36558Tunneled catheter, age 5 years or olderTunneled central catheter insertion for a patient age five or older.$907.84
36568PICC insertion, under 5, no imagingPICC insertion for a patient younger than five, rather than centrally inserted access.No office rate

How 36555 has changed in Washington, DC area

36555 · Office / nonfacility

$243.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $39.39 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $203.90 to $243.29 (19.3%).

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

    $203.90changed to$243.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.93 changed to 1.88
    • Practice expense RVU 3.42 changed to 4.35
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $213.40changed to$203.90

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.51 changed to 3.42

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $209.92changed to$213.40

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $223.43changed to$209.92

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $233.70changed to$223.43

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.64 changed to 3.58
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $237.33changed to$233.70

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.70 changed to 3.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $224.07changed to$237.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 3.70
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $220.64changed to$224.07

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.25 changed to 3.27
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $217.80changed to$220.64

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.19 changed to 3.25

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $238.88changed to$217.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 2.43 changed to 1.93
    • Practice expense RVU 3.21 changed to 3.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $302.06changed to$238.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.68 changed to 2.43
    • Practice expense RVU 4.43 changed to 3.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.19
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $298.82changed to$302.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.33 changed to 4.43

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $297.33changed to$298.82

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $298.04changed to$297.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.37 changed to 4.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $303.42changed to$298.04

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $303.42

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$243.29$85.12RVU26D
2026-07-01$243.29$85.12RVU26C
2026-04-01$243.29$85.12RVU26B
2026-01-01$243.29$85.12RVU26A
2025-10-01$203.90$87.45RVU25D
2025-07-01$203.90$87.45RVU25C
2025-04-01$203.90$87.45RVU25B
2025-01-01$203.90$87.45RVU25A
2024-10-01$213.40$89.60RVU24D
2024-07-01$213.40$89.60RVU24C
2024-04-01$213.40$89.60RVU24B
2024-03-09$213.40$89.60RVU24AR
2024-01-01$209.92$88.14RVU24A
2023-10-01$223.43$92.20RVU23D
2023-07-01$223.43$92.20RVU23C
2023-04-01$223.43$92.20RVU23B
2023-01-01$223.43$92.20RVU23A
2022-10-01$233.70$94.26RVU22D
2022-07-01$233.70$94.26RVU22C
2022-04-01$233.70$94.26RVU22B
2022-01-01$233.70$94.26RVU22A
2021-10-01$237.33$93.71RVU21D
2021-07-01$237.33$93.71RVU21C
2021-04-01$237.33$93.71RVU21B
2021-01-01$237.33$93.71RVU21A
2020-10-01$224.07$95.84RVU20D
2020-07-01$224.07$95.84RVU20C
2020-04-01$224.07$95.84RVU20B
2020-01-01$224.07$95.84RVU20A
2019-10-01$220.64$96.00RVU19D
2019-07-01$220.64$96.00RVU19C
2019-04-01$220.64$96.00RVU19B
2019-01-01$220.64$96.00RVU19A
2018-10-01$217.80$97.20RVU18D
2018-07-01$217.80$97.20RVU18C
2018-04-01$217.80$97.20RVU18B
2018-01-01$217.80$97.20RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$238.88$119.52RVU17D
2017-07-01$238.88$119.52RVU17C
2017-04-01$238.88$119.52RVU17B
2017-01-01$238.88$119.52RVU17A
2016-10-01$302.06$132.94RVU16D
2016-07-01$302.06$132.94RVU16C
2016-04-01$302.06$132.94RVU16B
2016-01-01$302.06$132.94RVU16A
2015-10-01$298.82$132.12RVU15D
2015-07-01$298.82$132.12RVU15C
2015-04-01$297.33$131.46RVU15B
2015-01-01$297.33$131.46RVU15A
2014-10-01$298.04$131.83RVU14D
2014-07-01$298.04$131.83RVU14C
2014-04-01$298.04$131.83RVU14B
2014-01-01$298.04$131.83RVU14A
2013-10-01$303.42$126.93RVU13D
2013-07-01$303.42$126.93RVU13C
2013-04-01$303.42$126.93RVU13B
2013-01-01$303.42$126.93RVU13AR

Price 36555 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

36555 billing questions

When should 36555 be used instead of 36556?

Use 36555 for a non-tunneled, centrally inserted central venous catheter in a patient younger than five. Code 36556 is the corresponding age-five-and-older code.

How is this different from a tunneled catheter insertion?

The catheter reported with 36555 is not tunneled beneath the skin. A tunneled central catheter in a child younger than five is reported with 36557.

Is a PICC reported with 36555?

No. A peripherally inserted central catheter is classified separately; 36568 is the PICC insertion code for a patient younger than five.

What documentation supports reporting 36555?

Document the patient’s age, the need for central venous access, the non-tunneled catheter, the insertion, and the access route.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this service?

Medicare does not pay an assistant-at-surgery service for 36555. Co-surgeon and team-surgery reporting are not permitted.

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 36555PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,504 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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