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CPT code 36556: Central line insertion, age 5 years or older2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report 36556 for insertion of a non-tunneled central venous catheter through a central vein in a patient age 5 years or older.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality291.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $272.56 for 36556 in the office and $83.70 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$272.56Office (non-facility)
$83.70Hospital or facility
+14.6%vs the national office rate ($237.81)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36556 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 36556 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 36556 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 36556 covers

This service covers placement of a non-tunneled catheter into a central vein for access such as infusion of medications or fluids, hemodynamic monitoring, or treatment when peripheral access is inadequate. It is commonly performed by a physician or other qualified practitioner in a hospital, intensive care unit, emergency department, or procedural setting. The patient must be at least 5 years old, and the catheter must be centrally inserted and non-tunneled; a peripherally inserted central catheter or a tunneled catheter is a different service.

Report the code for the insertion, not for a later exchange or removal. The record should identify the indication, patient age, access site, and catheter placement. Ultrasound guidance may be separately reported when its requirements are met and documented. Medicare assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 36556

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36556 runs from $209.69 in Arkansas to $317.01 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $272.56. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36556 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$272.56
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$269.24−$3.32
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$256.65−$15.91
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$249.03−$23.53
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$274.00+$1.44
  6. Alaska · Alaska$274.17+$1.61
  7. Alabama · Alabama$212.85−$59.71

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

Every other payment area

36556 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$209.69$71.97
ArizonaArizona$231.34$75.99
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$252.51$76.79
Chico, CACalifornia$251.83$76.11
El Centro, CACalifornia$251.87$76.15
Fresno, CACalifornia$251.83$76.11
Hanford, CACalifornia$251.83$76.11
Madera, CACalifornia$251.83$76.11

36556 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.

$209.69

$284.42

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

View every state and territory as a table
36556 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$274.171
AL$212.851
AR$209.691
AZ$231.341
CA$251.83–$317.0129
CO$247.891
CT$253.891
DC$272.561
DE$235.251
FL$234.07–$256.653
GA$220.60–$242.302
GU$258.281
HI$258.281
IA$218.481
ID$219.921
IL$227.09–$249.034
IN$221.241
KS$217.391
KY$217.961
LA$217.59–$228.652
MA$246.34–$272.882
MD$239.83–$272.563
ME$221.07–$233.422
MI$223.75–$237.032
MN$237.421
MO$213.74–$229.523
MS$211.761
MT$237.801
NC$223.451
ND$233.251
NE$219.711
NH$243.951
NJ$256.76–$269.622
NM$225.001
NV$236.701
NY$226.88–$280.755
OH$222.821
OK$217.591
OR$234.84–$255.972
PA$223.20–$247.422
PR$239.601
RI$243.781
SC$223.511
SD$232.711
TN$218.511
TX$221.70–$247.098
UT$226.651
VA$232.61–$272.562
VI$239.601
VT$232.291
WA$245.89–$278.542
WI$225.231
WV$218.461
WY$235.821

See 36556 in every payment locality

How the 36556 rate is calculated

Each of 36556’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 · 36556

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.71

1.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.18

5.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.23

0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.1200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$237.81

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

4,505

Code
36556
Physician work
1.71
Practice expense
5.18
Malpractice
0.23

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 36556 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.71× 1.0541.8023
Practice expense5.18× 1.1786.1020
Malpractice0.23× 1.1130.2560
Total RVUs8.1604
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$272.56

Office: (1.71 × 1.054 + 5.18 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $272.56

Facility: (1.71 × 1.054 + 0.38 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $83.70

Open 36556 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36556

The CMS indicators that decide how 36556 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36556

Central line insertion, age 5 years or older

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 36556

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

Codes related to 36556
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
36555Central line insertion, under age 5Non-tunneled central catheter insertion for a patient younger than 5 years.$243.29
Used instead
36558Tunneled catheter, age 5 years or olderTunneled central catheter insertion for a patient age 5 years or older.$907.84
36569PICC insertion, age 5 or older, no imagingPICC insertion without imaging for a patient age 5 years or older.No office rate
Often billed with
76937Vascular access guidance, ultrasound guidanceUltrasound guidance may be separately reported when performed and documented as required.$46.32

How 36556 has changed in Washington, DC area

36556 · Office / nonfacility

$272.56

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $40.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $232.01 to $272.56 (17.5%).

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

    $232.01changed to$272.56

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.75 changed to 1.71
    • Practice expense RVU 4.25 changed to 5.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23
    • 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

    $243.91changed to$232.01

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.37 changed to 4.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $239.93changed to$243.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $254.46changed to$239.93

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.44 changed to 4.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23
    • 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

    $267.45changed to$254.46

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.53 changed to 4.44
    • 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

    $272.23changed to$267.45

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.60 changed to 4.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $257.50changed to$272.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • 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

    $250.44changed to$257.50

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 4.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.20 changed to 0.22
    • 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

    $249.30changed to$250.44

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.02 changed to 4.04

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $273.75changed to$249.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 2.50 changed to 1.75
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 4.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.20
    • 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

    $274.33changed to$273.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.87 changed to 3.85
    • 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

    $274.92changed to$274.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $273.55changed to$274.92

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $271.90changed to$273.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.83 changed to 3.85
    • 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

    $275.19changed to$271.90

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.27 changed to 3.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • 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: $275.19

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$272.56$83.70RVU26D
2026-07-01$272.56$83.70RVU26C
2026-04-01$272.56$83.70RVU26B
2026-01-01$272.56$83.70RVU26A
2025-10-01$232.01$88.19RVU25D
2025-07-01$232.01$88.19RVU25C
2025-04-01$232.01$88.19RVU25B
2025-01-01$232.01$88.19RVU25A
2024-10-01$243.91$90.75RVU24D
2024-07-01$243.91$90.75RVU24C
2024-04-01$243.91$90.75RVU24B
2024-03-09$243.91$90.75RVU24AR
2024-01-01$239.93$89.27RVU24A
2023-10-01$254.46$92.78RVU23D
2023-07-01$254.46$92.78RVU23C
2023-04-01$254.46$92.78RVU23B
2023-01-01$254.46$92.78RVU23A
2022-10-01$267.45$95.07RVU22D
2022-07-01$267.45$95.07RVU22C
2022-04-01$267.45$95.07RVU22B
2022-01-01$267.45$95.07RVU22A
2021-10-01$272.23$95.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$272.23$95.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$272.23$95.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$272.23$95.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$257.50$97.98RVU20D
2020-07-01$257.50$97.98RVU20C
2020-04-01$257.50$97.98RVU20B
2020-01-01$257.50$97.98RVU20A
2019-10-01$250.44$96.71RVU19D
2019-07-01$250.44$96.71RVU19C
2019-04-01$250.44$96.71RVU19B
2019-01-01$250.44$96.71RVU19A
2018-10-01$249.30$112.65RVU18D
2018-07-01$249.30$112.65RVU18C
2018-04-01$249.30$112.65RVU18B
2018-01-01$249.30$112.65RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$273.75$137.10RVU17D
2017-07-01$273.75$137.10RVU17C
2017-04-01$273.75$137.10RVU17B
2017-01-01$273.75$137.10RVU17A
2016-10-01$274.33$137.57RVU16D
2016-07-01$274.33$137.57RVU16C
2016-04-01$274.33$137.57RVU16B
2016-01-01$274.33$137.57RVU16A
2015-10-01$274.92$138.52RVU15D
2015-07-01$274.92$138.52RVU15C
2015-04-01$273.55$137.83RVU15B
2015-01-01$273.55$137.83RVU15A
2014-10-01$271.90$137.56RVU14D
2014-07-01$271.90$137.56RVU14C
2014-04-01$271.90$137.56RVU14B
2014-01-01$271.90$137.56RVU14A
2013-10-01$275.19$132.12RVU13D
2013-07-01$275.19$132.12RVU13C
2013-04-01$275.19$132.12RVU13B
2013-01-01$275.19$132.12RVU13AR

Price 36556 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

36556 billing questions

How does 36556 differ from 36555?

Both cover insertion of a non-tunneled, centrally inserted catheter. Use 36556 for patients age 5 years or older and 36555 for children younger than 5.

When is 36558 more appropriate?

36558 describes insertion of a tunneled central venous catheter in a patient age 5 years or older. Use 36556 when the catheter is non-tunneled.

Can ultrasound guidance be reported separately?

CPT 76937 may be reported separately when the required ultrasound guidance service is performed and the documentation supports it.

Should modifier 50 be appended for access on both sides?

No. Medicare's bilateral adjustment does not apply to 36556, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

Is same-day postoperative care separately payable?

No. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 36556?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service because of a statutory restriction. Co-surgeons and team surgery 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 36556PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,505 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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