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

Report 36596 for percutaneous mechanical removal of a thrombotic obstruction inside a central venous catheter or other central venous access device.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality577 Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $104.79 for 36596 in the office and $37.86 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$104.79Office (non-facility)
$37.86Hospital or facility
−10.9%vs the national office rate ($117.57)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36596 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 36596 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 36596 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 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.

How Alabama compares for 36596

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36596 runs from $103.17 in Arkansas to $158.11 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $104.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36596 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$104.79
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$133.72+$28.93
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$135.24+$30.45
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$126.86+$22.07
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$122.95+$18.16
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$135.79+$31.00
  7. Alaska · Alaska$133.93+$29.14

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

Every other payment area

36596 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$103.17$37.46
ArizonaArizona$114.27$40.15
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$125.19$41.36
Chico, CACalifornia$124.87$41.04
El Centro, CACalifornia$124.89$41.06
Fresno, CACalifornia$124.87$41.04
Hanford, CACalifornia$124.87$41.04
Madera, CACalifornia$124.87$41.04

36596 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.

$103.17

$141.49

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

View every state and territory as a table
36596 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$133.931
AL$104.791
AR$103.171
AZ$114.271
CA$124.87–$158.1129
CO$122.791
CT$125.721
DC$135.241
DE$116.251
FL$115.48–$126.863
GA$108.61–$119.822
GU$128.291
HI$128.291
IA$107.751
ID$108.471
IL$111.85–$123.004
IN$109.151
KS$107.161
KY$107.321
LA$107.12–$112.792
MA$121.96–$135.532
MD$118.59–$135.243
ME$109.02–$115.412
MI$110.26–$116.962
MN$117.581
MO$105.12–$113.283
MS$104.171
MT$117.561
NC$110.251
ND$115.391
NE$108.391
NH$120.781
NJ$127.14–$133.682
NM$110.881
NV$117.051
NY$112.00–$139.205
OH$109.811
OK$107.171
OR$116.12–$126.962
PA$110.03–$122.392
PR$118.501
RI$120.591
SC$110.221
SD$115.131
TN$107.721
TX$109.25–$122.398
UT$111.831
VA$114.97–$135.242
VI$118.501
VT$114.861
WA$121.75–$138.442
WI$111.271
WV$107.431
WY$116.621

See 36596 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 36596

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.73

0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.68

2.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$117.57

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

The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,534

Code
36596
Physician work
0.73
Practice expense
2.68
Malpractice
0.11

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 36596 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.73× 1.0000.7300
Practice expense2.68× 0.8752.3450
Malpractice0.11× 0.5660.0623
Total RVUs3.1373
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$104.79

Office: (0.73 × 1 + 2.68 × 0.875 + 0.11 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $104.79

Facility: (0.73 × 1 + 0.39 × 0.875 + 0.11 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $37.86

Open 36596 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36596

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

CMS payment indicators · 36596

Catheter declotting, mechanical, thrombotic obstruction

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

36596 without 51 · national office

$117.57

Catheter declotting, mechanical, thrombotic obstruction

36596-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$58.79

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 36596 has changed in Alabama

36596 · Office / nonfacility

$104.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.62 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $98.17 to $104.79 (6.7%).

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

    $98.17changed to$104.79

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $101.70changed to$98.17

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.58 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $100.04changed to$101.70

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $104.42changed to$100.04

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $107.81changed to$104.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.57
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $112.11changed to$107.81

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.56

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $113.74changed to$112.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.63 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $116.05changed to$113.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.72 changed to 2.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $121.05changed to$116.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 2.72

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$121.05

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$104.79$37.86RVU26D
2026-07-01$104.79$37.86RVU26C
2026-04-01$104.79$37.86RVU26B
2026-01-01$104.79$37.86RVU26A
2025-10-01$98.17$40.27RVU25D
2025-07-01$98.17$40.27RVU25C
2025-04-01$98.17$40.27RVU25B
2025-01-01$98.17$40.27RVU25A
2024-10-01$101.70$40.67RVU24D
2024-07-01$101.70$40.67RVU24C
2024-04-01$101.70$40.67RVU24B
2024-03-09$101.70$40.67RVU24AR
2024-01-01$100.04$40.00RVU24A
2023-10-01$104.42$41.34RVU23D
2023-07-01$104.42$41.34RVU23C
2023-04-01$104.42$41.34RVU23B
2023-01-01$104.42$41.34RVU23A
2022-10-01$107.81$42.66RVU22D
2022-07-01$107.81$42.66RVU22C
2022-04-01$107.81$42.66RVU22B
2022-01-01$107.81$42.66RVU22A
2021-10-01$112.11$42.40RVU21D
2021-07-01$112.11$42.40RVU21C
2021-04-01$112.11$42.40RVU21B
2021-01-01$112.11$42.40RVU21A
2020-10-01$113.74$42.84RVU20D
2020-07-01$113.74$42.84RVU20C
2020-04-01$113.74$42.84RVU20B
2020-01-01$113.74$42.84RVU20A
2019-10-01$116.05$42.59RVU19D
2019-07-01$116.05$42.59RVU19C
2019-04-01$116.05$42.59RVU19B
2019-01-01$116.05$42.59RVU19A
2018-10-01$121.05$42.87RVU18D
2018-07-01$121.05$42.87RVU18C
2018-04-01$121.05$42.87RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 36596 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alabama rate applies

Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abanda
  • Abbeville
  • Adamsville
  • Addison
  • Akron
  • Alabaster
  • Albertville
  • Alexander City

Browse all communities in Alabama

36596 billing questions

How does 36596 differ from 36595?

36596 is for mechanical removal of a thrombotic obstruction. 36595 is for mechanical removal of a nonthrombotic obstruction.

Is 36596 appropriate when a thrombolytic agent clears the catheter?

No. 36596 describes mechanical removal of thrombus; declotting by thrombolytic agent is represented by 36593.

Can catheter removal or replacement be reported instead?

Use a removal or replacement code when the catheter is taken out or exchanged. 36596 represents mechanical clearance of an obstruction, not removal or replacement of the device.

Is fluoroscopic guidance separately reported?

Fluoroscopic guidance is included in 36596 when performed; do not report it separately as guidance for this service.

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be used?

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 36596. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service.

What documentation supports 36596?

Document the central venous access device, the thrombotic intraluminal obstruction, and the mechanical technique used to clear 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 36596PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,534 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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