CPT code 36592: Catheter blood collection, established venous catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Louisiana
Reports blood specimen collection through an established venous catheter, commonly a PICC, rather than an implanted access device.
Medicare pays $29.88–$31.81 for 36592 in the office in Louisiana, from Rest of Louisiana to New Orleans, LA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 36592 covers
Code 36592 covers obtaining a blood specimen through an established central or peripheral venous catheter, commonly a PICC. It represents the collection, not catheter insertion, replacement, or laboratory analysis. A nurse or other qualified clinical staff member may obtain the sample in an outpatient setting; the specimen can then be submitted for ordered testing.
Report 36592 when blood is collected through an established venous catheter, and document the access device and collection method. Use 36591 for collection from a completely implantable venous access device. CMS limits payment for this minor service to a day when no other physician service is billed. CMS identifies 36592 as technical-component-only and notes that a separate code covers interpretation.
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.
Where 36592 pays more and less in Louisiana
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $31.81 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Louisiana | $29.88 | Unavailable |
How the 36592 rate is calculated
Each of 36592’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 · 36592
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.00
1.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.0100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$33.73
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 36592
The CMS indicators that decide how 36592 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 36592
Catheter blood collection, established venous catheter
| 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. |
36592 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 36591Port blood drawImplantable venous access device
- 36592 is for collection through an established central or peripheral venous catheter. 36591 is for collection from a completely implantable venous access device.
- 36568PICC insertionUnder 5, no imaging
- 36568 reports PICC insertion for a patient younger than 5 years without imaging guidance; 36592 reports blood collection through an established catheter.
- 36569PICC insertionAge 5 or older, no imaging
- 36569 reports PICC insertion for a patient age 5 years or older without imaging guidance; 36592 reports specimen collection, not catheter placement.
36592 billing questions
When should 36592 be selected instead of 36591?
Use 36592 for collection through an established central or peripheral venous catheter, such as a PICC. Use 36591 for collection from a completely implantable venous access device.
Does 36592 include catheter placement or replacement?
No. It reports blood collection through an established catheter, not placement or replacement.
Can 36592 be paid when another physician service is billed that day?
CMS limits payment for this minor service to a day when no other physician service is billed.
Does 36592 include laboratory testing or interpretation?
It reports specimen collection, not analysis. CMS identifies the code as technical-component-only and notes that a separate code covers interpretation.
What documentation supports reporting 36592?
Document the established venous access device and that the specimen was collected through it.
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
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