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CPT code 36555: Central line insertion, under age 52026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Austin, TX

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 Austin, TX, Medicare pays $221.38 for 36555 in the office and $79.32 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$221.38Office (non-facility)
$79.32Hospital or facility
+3.7%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 Austin, TX
  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 Austin, TX 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. Austin, TX pays $221.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36555 in Austin, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Austin, TX · this page$221.38
  2. Beaumont, TX · Texas$199.98−$21.40
  3. Brazoria, TX · Texas$211.45−$9.93
  4. Dallas, TX · Texas$212.66−$8.72
  5. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$211.27−$10.11
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$212.00−$9.38
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$214.93−$6.45

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

Every other payment area

36555 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$205.50$78.08
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$240.80$81.96
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$243.29$85.12
Miami, FLFlorida$227.56$87.78
Chicago, ILIllinois$221.52$86.58
Manhattan, NYNew York$244.12$88.10
AlaskaAlaska$251.87$108.87
AlabamaAlabama$192.95$75.46

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 Austin, TX 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

96

Locality
Austin, TX
Physician work
1.002
Practice expense
1.058
Malpractice
0.886
Office calculation for 36555 in Austin, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.88× 1.0021.8838
Practice expense4.35× 1.0584.6023
Malpractice0.16× 0.8860.1418
Total RVUs6.6278
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Austin, TX$221.38

Office: (1.88 × 1.002 + 4.35 × 1.058 + 0.16 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $221.38

Facility: (1.88 × 1.002 + 0.33 × 1.058 + 0.16 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $79.32

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, Austin, TX
Same family
36556Central line insertion, age 5 years or olderSame non-tunneled central catheter service for patients age five and older.$247.09
Used instead
36557Tunneled catheter, under age five, no portTunneled central catheter insertion for a patient younger than five.$1,319.15
36558Tunneled catheter, age 5 years or olderTunneled central catheter insertion for a patient age five or older.$821.22
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 Austin, TX

36555 · Office / nonfacility

$221.38

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $38.51 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $182.87 to $221.38 (21.1%).

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

    $182.87changed to$221.38

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.058
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.914 changed to 0.886

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $191.33changed to$182.87

    • 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

    $188.20changed to$191.33

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $197.34changed to$188.20

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.046
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.727 changed to 0.914

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $203.36changed to$197.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.64 changed to 3.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.059 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.727

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $206.89changed to$203.36

    • 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

    $195.87changed to$206.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 3.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.040 changed to 1.059
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $193.18changed to$195.87

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.25 changed to 3.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.040
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $190.76changed to$193.18

    • 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

    $209.88changed to$190.76

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $263.62changed to$209.88

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.766 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $260.91changed to$263.62

    • 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

    $259.61changed to$260.91

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $260.45changed to$259.61

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.759 changed to 0.766

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $264.67changed to$260.45

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.751 changed to 0.759

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $264.67

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$221.38$79.32RVU26D
2026-07-01$221.38$79.32RVU26C
2026-04-01$221.38$79.32RVU26B
2026-01-01$221.38$79.32RVU26A
2025-10-01$182.87$80.69RVU25D
2025-07-01$182.87$80.69RVU25C
2025-04-01$182.87$80.69RVU25B
2025-01-01$182.87$80.69RVU25A
2024-10-01$191.33$82.69RVU24D
2024-07-01$191.33$82.69RVU24C
2024-04-01$191.33$82.69RVU24B
2024-03-09$191.33$82.69RVU24AR
2024-01-01$188.20$81.34RVU24A
2023-10-01$197.34$83.51RVU23D
2023-07-01$197.34$83.51RVU23C
2023-04-01$197.34$83.51RVU23B
2023-01-01$197.34$83.51RVU23A
2022-10-01$203.36$83.89RVU22D
2022-07-01$203.36$83.89RVU22C
2022-04-01$203.36$83.89RVU22B
2022-01-01$203.36$83.89RVU22A
2021-10-01$206.89$83.84RVU21D
2021-07-01$206.89$83.84RVU21C
2021-04-01$206.89$83.84RVU21B
2021-01-01$206.89$83.84RVU21A
2020-10-01$195.87$86.65RVU20D
2020-07-01$195.87$86.65RVU20C
2020-04-01$195.87$86.65RVU20B
2020-01-01$195.87$86.65RVU20A
2019-10-01$193.18$87.58RVU19D
2019-07-01$193.18$87.58RVU19C
2019-04-01$193.18$87.58RVU19B
2019-01-01$193.18$87.58RVU19A
2018-10-01$190.76$88.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$190.76$88.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$190.76$88.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$190.76$88.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$209.88$108.84RVU17D
2017-07-01$209.88$108.84RVU17C
2017-04-01$209.88$108.84RVU17B
2017-01-01$209.88$108.84RVU17A
2016-10-01$263.62$120.60RVU16D
2016-07-01$263.62$120.60RVU16C
2016-04-01$263.62$120.60RVU16B
2016-01-01$263.62$120.60RVU16A
2015-10-01$260.91$119.93RVU15D
2015-07-01$260.91$119.93RVU15C
2015-04-01$259.61$119.34RVU15B
2015-01-01$259.61$119.34RVU15A
2014-10-01$260.45$120.24RVU14D
2014-07-01$260.45$120.24RVU14C
2014-04-01$260.45$120.24RVU14B
2014-01-01$260.45$120.24RVU14A
2013-10-01$264.67$116.03RVU13D
2013-07-01$264.67$116.03RVU13C
2013-04-01$264.67$116.03RVU13B
2013-01-01$264.67$116.03RVU13AR

Price 36555 for an earlier date of service

Where the Austin, TX rate applies

Austin, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Austin, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 96 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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