CPT code 36591: Port blood draw, implantable venous access device2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Report 36591 when blood is collected through a completely implanted venous access device, such as an oncology port, rather than a PICC.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $28.26 for 36591 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36591 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 36591 covers
Report 36591 when blood is withdrawn for specimen testing through a completely implanted venous access device, such as a chest port used for oncology treatment. The service is collection through the port, not catheter placement or removal and not laboratory analysis. Nursing staff commonly access ports in oncology clinics and infusion centers under practice protocols; documentation should identify the implanted device and confirm that a specimen was obtained through it.
Use 36592 for blood collection from a PICC instead. Document the device type and collection method, and report ordered laboratory analyses separately. CMS classifies 36591 as technical-component-only, with interpretation covered by a separate code. It is an injection or minor service payable only when no other physician service is billed that day; when another physician service is billed on the same date, separate payment for 36591 is not expected.
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 36591
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36591 runs from $25.99 in Arkansas to $43.53 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $28.26. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$28.26
- Los Angeles, CA · California$35.78+$7.52
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$35.78+$7.52
- Miami, FL · Florida$32.14+$3.88
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.98+$2.72
- Manhattan, NY · New York$35.46+$7.20
- Alaska · Alaska$32.20+$3.94
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $26.49 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $25.99 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $29.41 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $33.15 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $39.79 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $35.74 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $33.23 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $35.14 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $35.02 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $36.13 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $42.54 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $42.53 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $43.53 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $43.48 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $34.42 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $36.70 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $35.23 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $37.09 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $39.77 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $33.13 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $32.25 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $32.78 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $30.00 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $31.06 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $29.24 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $30.94 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $27.21 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $34.37 | — |
| IowaIowa | $27.64 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $27.81 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $28.33 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $27.97 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $31.46 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $28.03 | — |
| KansasKansas | $27.34 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $27.03 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $28.67 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $26.92 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $36.19 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $31.92 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $32.67 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $30.73 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $27.86 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $30.00 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $29.57 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $27.82 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $31.03 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $28.55 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $28.95 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $26.24 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $26.13 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $30.39 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $30.20 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $27.87 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $31.59 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $35.23 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.19 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $27.97 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $30.37 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $36.36 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $33.32 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $36.01 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $28.79 | — |
| OhioOhio | $27.78 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $27.10 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $33.65 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $30.18 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $31.69 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $27.91 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $30.72 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $31.35 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $28.06 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $30.17 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $27.50 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $32.10 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $27.67 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $30.05 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $30.23 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $29.93 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $30.13 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $30.31 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $28.83 | — |
| UtahUtah | $28.56 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $29.79 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $30.72 | — |
| VermontVermont | $29.93 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $31.91 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $37.16 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $28.90 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $26.60 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $30.31 | — |
36591 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.
$25.99
$38.33
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $32.20 | 1 |
| AL | $26.49 | 1 |
| AR | $25.99 | 1 |
| AZ | $29.41 | 1 |
| CA | $33.13–$43.53 | 29 |
| CO | $32.25 | 1 |
| CT | $32.78 | 1 |
| DC | $35.78 | 1 |
| DE | $30.00 | 1 |
| FL | $29.24–$32.14 | 3 |
| GA | $27.21–$30.94 | 2 |
| GU | $34.37 | 1 |
| HI | $34.37 | 1 |
| IA | $27.64 | 1 |
| ID | $27.81 | 1 |
| IL | $27.97–$31.46 | 4 |
| IN | $28.03 | 1 |
| KS | $27.34 | 1 |
| KY | $27.03 | 1 |
| LA | $26.92–$28.67 | 2 |
| MA | $31.92–$36.19 | 2 |
| MD | $30.73–$35.78 | 3 |
| ME | $27.86–$30.00 | 2 |
| MI | $27.82–$29.57 | 2 |
| MN | $31.03 | 1 |
| MO | $26.24–$28.95 | 3 |
| MS | $26.13 | 1 |
| MT | $30.39 | 1 |
| NC | $28.26 | 1 |
| ND | $30.20 | 1 |
| NE | $27.87 | 1 |
| NH | $31.59 | 1 |
| NJ | $33.19–$35.23 | 2 |
| NM | $27.97 | 1 |
| NV | $30.37 | 1 |
| NY | $28.79–$36.36 | 5 |
| OH | $27.78 | 1 |
| OK | $27.10 | 1 |
| OR | $30.18–$33.65 | 2 |
| PA | $27.91–$31.69 | 2 |
| PR | $30.72 | 1 |
| RI | $31.35 | 1 |
| SC | $28.06 | 1 |
| SD | $30.17 | 1 |
| TN | $27.50 | 1 |
| TX | $27.67–$32.10 | 8 |
| UT | $28.56 | 1 |
| VA | $29.79–$35.78 | 2 |
| VI | $30.72 | 1 |
| VT | $29.93 | 1 |
| WA | $31.91–$37.16 | 2 |
| WI | $28.90 | 1 |
| WV | $26.60 | 1 |
| WY | $30.31 | 1 |
How the 36591 rate is calculated
Each of 36591’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 · 36591
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.90
0.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$30.39
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
4,530
- Code
- 36591
- Physician work
- 0.00
- Practice expense
- 0.90
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.00 | × 1.000 | 0.0000 |
| Practice expense | 0.90 | × 0.933 | 0.8397 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.639 | 0.0064 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8461 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$28.26
Office: (0 × 1 + 0.9 × 0.933 + 0.01 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $28.26
Payment rules and modifiers for 36591
The CMS indicators that decide how 36591 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 36591
Port blood draw, implantable venous access device
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 3 | Technical component only. |
How 36591 has changed in North Carolina
36591 · Office / nonfacility
$28.26
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $24.78 to $28.26 (14.0%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$24.78changed to$28.26
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.90
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$25.50changed to$24.78
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$25.08changed to$25.50
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$25.07changed to$25.08
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.82
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$25.33changed to$25.07
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.79
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$24.90changed to$25.33
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.78
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$23.43changed to$24.90
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.76
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$23.07changed to$23.43
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$22.71changed to$23.07
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.68
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$22.31changed to$22.71
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.67
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$21.92changed to$22.31
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$22.00changed to$21.92
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$21.89changed to$22.00
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$21.56changed to$21.89
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$22.00changed to$21.56
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.64
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $22.00
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $28.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $28.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $28.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $28.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $24.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $24.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $24.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $24.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $25.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $25.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $25.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $25.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $25.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $25.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $25.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $25.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $25.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $25.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $25.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $25.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $25.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $23.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $23.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $23.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $23.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $23.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $23.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $23.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $23.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $22.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $22.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $22.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $22.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $22.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $22.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $22.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $22.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $21.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $21.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $21.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $21.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $21.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $21.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $21.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $21.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $21.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $21.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $22.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
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
36591 billing questions
When should 36591 be used instead of 36592?
Use 36591 for collection through a completely implanted venous access device, such as an implanted port. Use 36592 for collection from a PICC.
Does 36591 include the laboratory tests?
No. It reports specimen collection through the implanted device; report ordered laboratory analyses separately.
Can 36591 be reported for a port flush without a blood specimen?
No. 36591 describes collection of a blood specimen. Irrigation of an implanted venous access device without specimen collection is represented by 96523 when irrigation is the only service performed.
Can 36591 receive separate payment with an office visit on the same date?
CMS lists this as an injection or minor service payable only when no other physician service is billed that day. A same-day physician service means separate payment for 36591 is not expected.
What documentation supports reporting 36591?
Document that the device was a completely implanted venous access device and that blood was obtained through it for specimen testing.
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
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