CPT code 36596: Catheter declotting, mechanical, thrombotic obstruction2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $117.57 for 36596 nationally in the office and $41.08 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $103.17–$158.11.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 36596 covers

This service uses a percutaneous mechanical technique to clear thrombus obstructing the lumen of a central venous access device. It may be performed when a tunneled central venous catheter, such as one used for dialysis or infusion therapy, is occluded by clot. The procedure can include fluoroscopic guidance when performed. It addresses the obstruction; it is distinct from removing or replacing the catheter itself.

Report 36596 when documentation supports a thrombotic intraluminal obstruction and mechanical removal. A record of the affected device, the obstructing clot, and the technique used supports code selection over treatment with a thrombolytic agent alone or removal of a nonthrombotic obstruction. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and 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.

Where 36596 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

36596 rates by state

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

How the 36596 rate is calculated

Each of 36596’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 36596

The CMS indicators that decide how 36596 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

36596 compared with similar codes

How to choose

36595Catheter removalMechanical, no port or pump

Choose 36596 for mechanical removal of thrombus within a central venous device. Choose 36595 when the mechanically removed intraluminal obstruction is nonthrombotic.

36593Device declotThrombolytic treatment

36593 represents declotting with a thrombolytic agent. 36596 represents percutaneous mechanical removal of the thrombotic obstruction.

36589Catheter removalTunneled catheter, no port

36589 reports removal of a tunneled central venous catheter. 36596 reports clearing thrombus from the device while treating the obstruction rather than removing the catheter.

Codes related to 36596

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates