CPT code 36589: Catheter removal, tunneled catheter, no port2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Removal of a tunneled central venous catheter without a subcutaneous port or pump, such as when access is no longer needed or the catheter is infected.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality66.7K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $156.72 for 36589 in the office and $118.39 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$156.72Office (non-facility)
$118.39Hospital or facility
−5.8%vs the national office rate ($166.34)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36589 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 36589 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 36589 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 36589 covers

This service removes a tunneled central venous catheter that has no implanted port or pump. A surgeon, interventional radiologist, or other qualified clinician typically frees the catheter cuff and withdraws the catheter through an incision at the exit site. Common situations include removal of a tunneled dialysis catheter after treatment ends, or removal of a tunneled line because of infection or malfunction. The procedure may take place in a hospital, ambulatory setting, or procedural suite.

Report this code when the service is removal alone; identify the catheter type and document the reason for removal and the work performed. For a complete catheter exchange, use the applicable replacement code rather than reporting removal alone. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 North Carolina compares for 36589

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36589 runs from $149.32 in Arkansas to $204.65 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $156.72. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36589 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$156.72
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$180.18+$23.46
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$185.99+$29.27
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$187.51+$30.79
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$182.40+$25.68
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$190.97+$34.25
  7. Alaska · Alaska$203.39+$46.67

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

Every other payment area

36589 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$151.20$115.25
ArkansasArkansas$149.32$114.03
ArizonaArizona$162.16$122.35
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$170.90$125.87
Chico, CACalifornia$169.90$124.87
El Centro, CACalifornia$169.96$124.93
Fresno, CACalifornia$169.90$124.87
Hanford, CACalifornia$169.90$124.87

36589 rates by state

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

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.

$149.32

$203.39

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

View every state and territory as a table
36589 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$203.391
AL$151.201
AR$149.321
AZ$162.161
CA$169.90–$204.6529
CO$169.821
CT$176.471
DC$185.991
DE$164.561
FL$168.67–$187.513
GA$159.89–$170.202
GU$172.441
HI$172.441
IA$152.451
ID$153.741
IL$165.91–$182.404
IN$154.451
KS$152.811
KY$156.411
LA$156.59–$163.182
MA$169.42–$183.712
MD$167.09–$185.993
ME$155.48–$161.302
MI$160.84–$171.542
MN$160.441
MO$154.92–$162.503
MS$152.101
MT$166.311
NC$156.721
ND$159.391
NE$152.871
NH$168.181
NJ$177.84–$184.682
NM$162.011
NV$164.461
NY$158.84–$196.315
OH$159.431
OK$155.121
OR$162.54–$173.472
PA$159.09–$173.232
PR$167.051
RI$169.141
SC$158.471
SD$158.571
TN$153.601
TX$158.26–$170.768
UT$160.311
VA$161.53–$185.992
VI$167.051
VT$159.761
WA$168.77–$186.182
WI$154.871
WV$160.831
WY$163.301

See 36589 in every payment locality

How the 36589 rate is calculated

Each of 36589’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 · 36589

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.22

2.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.41

2.41 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.35

0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$166.34

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,528

Code
36589
Physician work
2.22
Practice expense
2.41
Malpractice
0.35

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 36589 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.22× 1.0002.2200
Practice expense2.41× 0.9332.2485
Malpractice0.35× 0.6390.2236
Total RVUs4.6922
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$156.72

Office: (2.22 × 1 + 2.41 × 0.933 + 0.35 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $156.72

Facility: (2.22 × 1 + 1.18 × 0.933 + 0.35 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $118.39

Open 36589 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36589

36589 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 36589

Catheter removal, tunneled catheter, no port

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 36589

Catheter removal, tunneled catheter, no port

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

36589 without 51 · national office

$166.34

Catheter removal, tunneled catheter, no port

36589-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$83.17

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

How 36589 has changed in North Carolina

36589 · Office / nonfacility

$156.72

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.06 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $149.66 to $156.72 (4.7%).

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

    $149.66changed to$156.72

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.28 changed to 2.22
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $154.01changed to$149.66

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $151.50changed to$154.01

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $158.38changed to$151.50

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $163.40changed to$158.38

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $164.43changed to$163.40

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.33 changed to 2.34

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $163.52changed to$164.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.16 changed to 2.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $160.98changed to$163.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.11 changed to 2.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $159.88changed to$160.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.09 changed to 2.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $160.06changed to$159.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $161.30changed to$160.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $162.16changed to$161.30

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $161.35changed to$162.16

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $160.74changed to$161.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.10 changed to 2.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $160.44changed to$160.74

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $160.44

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$156.72$118.39RVU26D
2026-07-01$156.72$118.39RVU26C
2026-04-01$156.72$118.39RVU26B
2026-01-01$156.72$118.39RVU26A
2025-10-01$149.66$124.20RVU25D
2025-07-01$149.66$124.20RVU25C
2025-04-01$149.66$124.20RVU25B
2025-01-01$149.66$124.20RVU25A
2024-10-01$154.01$126.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$154.01$126.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$154.01$126.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$154.01$126.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$151.50$124.81RVU24A
2023-10-01$158.38$130.42RVU23D
2023-07-01$158.38$130.42RVU23C
2023-04-01$158.38$130.42RVU23B
2023-01-01$158.38$130.42RVU23A
2022-10-01$163.40$133.86RVU22D
2022-07-01$163.40$133.86RVU22C
2022-04-01$163.40$133.86RVU22B
2022-01-01$163.40$133.86RVU22A
2021-10-01$164.43$134.97RVU21D
2021-07-01$164.43$134.97RVU21C
2021-04-01$164.43$134.97RVU21B
2021-01-01$164.43$134.97RVU21A
2020-10-01$163.52$137.01RVU20D
2020-07-01$163.52$137.01RVU20C
2020-04-01$163.52$137.01RVU20B
2020-01-01$163.52$137.01RVU20A
2019-10-01$160.98$135.82RVU19D
2019-07-01$160.98$135.82RVU19C
2019-04-01$160.98$135.82RVU19B
2019-01-01$160.98$135.82RVU19A
2018-10-01$159.88$135.42RVU18D
2018-07-01$159.88$135.42RVU18C
2018-04-01$159.88$135.42RVU18B
2018-01-01$159.88$135.42RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$160.06$136.01RVU17D
2017-07-01$160.06$136.01RVU17C
2017-04-01$160.06$136.01RVU17B
2017-01-01$160.06$136.01RVU17A
2016-10-01$161.30$136.66RVU16D
2016-07-01$161.30$136.66RVU16C
2016-04-01$161.30$136.66RVU16B
2016-01-01$161.30$136.66RVU16A
2015-10-01$162.16$137.76RVU15D
2015-07-01$162.16$137.76RVU15C
2015-04-01$161.35$137.08RVU15B
2015-01-01$161.35$137.08RVU15A
2014-10-01$160.74$136.78RVU14D
2014-07-01$160.74$136.78RVU14C
2014-04-01$160.74$136.78RVU14B
2014-01-01$160.74$136.78RVU14A
2013-10-01$160.44$134.89RVU13D
2013-07-01$160.44$134.89RVU13C
2013-04-01$160.44$134.89RVU13B
2013-01-01$160.44$134.89RVU13AR

Price 36589 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

36589 billing questions

How is this different from 36590?

Code 36589 is for removing a tunneled catheter without a subcutaneous port or pump. Code 36590 is the removal code to consider when the device includes a port or pump.

Should removal be reported separately during a catheter exchange?

For a complete catheter exchange, use the applicable replacement code rather than reporting 36589 as removal alone.

Does the code include related postoperative visits?

Yes. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period that includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days.

Can modifier 50 be used for removal on both sides?

No. CMS specifies that bilateral adjustment does not apply and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service.

When is assistant-at-surgery payment allowed?

Medicare pays an assistant at surgery only when the record documents medical necessity. 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 36589PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,528 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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