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CPT code 36597: Catheter repositioning, existing central venous catheter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Reports fluoroscopic repositioning of an existing central venous catheter when its tip has migrated and the catheter can be retained.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality772 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $106.50 for 36597 in the office and $49.78 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$106.50Office (non-facility)
$49.78Hospital or facility
−5.7%vs the national office rate ($112.90)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36597 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 36597 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 36597 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 36597 covers

This procedure moves a previously placed central venous catheter back into an appropriate position under fluoroscopic guidance. A typical reason is a catheter tip that has migrated into the internal jugular vein. An interventional radiologist or other clinician performing vascular access procedures manipulates the existing catheter while viewing its position, rather than inserting a new one. The service is commonly performed in an interventional radiology suite.

Report 36597 when the record documents that the existing catheter was actually repositioned, including its position before and after manipulation. An injection performed only to evaluate the device is a different service; replacing the catheter also calls for a different code. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so routine preoperative and postoperative care on the procedure date is included. If multiple procedures are performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 36597

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36597 runs from $100.81 in Arkansas to $145.17 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $106.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36597 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$106.50
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$125.36+$18.86
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$127.78+$21.28
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$123.36+$16.86
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$120.00+$13.50
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$129.45+$22.95
  7. Alaska · Alaska$134.80+$28.30

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

Every other payment area

36597 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$102.16$48.97
ArkansasArkansas$100.81$48.59
ArizonaArizona$110.05$51.15
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$118.26$51.63
Chico, CACalifornia$117.81$51.19
El Centro, CACalifornia$117.84$51.21
Fresno, CACalifornia$117.81$51.19
Hanford, CACalifornia$117.81$51.19

36597 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$100.81

$134.80

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

View every state and territory as a table
36597 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$134.801
AL$102.161
AR$100.811
AZ$110.051
CA$117.81–$145.1729
CO$116.651
CT$120.011
DC$127.781
DE$111.761
FL$112.40–$123.363
GA$106.46–$115.122
GU$120.171
HI$120.171
IA$104.051
ID$104.781
IL$109.76–$120.004
IN$105.321
KS$103.841
KY$104.871
LA$104.81–$109.542
MA$116.14–$127.242
MD$113.70–$127.783
ME$105.52–$110.432
MI$107.58–$113.942
MN$111.351
MO$103.32–$109.623
MS$102.071
MT$112.891
NC$106.501
ND$109.921
NE$104.511
NH$115.081
NJ$121.26–$126.672
NM$108.221
NV$112.131
NY$107.98–$132.655
OH$106.981
OK$104.451
OR$111.13–$119.842
PA$107.00–$117.382
PR$113.571
RI$115.361
SC$106.941
SD$109.571
TN$104.341
TX$106.38–$116.378
UT$108.281
VA$110.26–$127.782
VI$113.571
VT$109.741
WA$115.84–$129.492
WI$106.551
WV$106.081
WY$111.591

See 36597 in every payment locality

How the 36597 rate is calculated

Each of 36597’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 · 36597

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.18

1.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.05

2.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.3800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$112.90

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

4,535

Code
36597
Physician work
1.18
Practice expense
2.05
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 36597 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.18× 1.0001.1800
Practice expense2.05× 0.9331.9126
Malpractice0.15× 0.6390.0959
Total RVUs3.1885
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$106.50

Office: (1.18 × 1 + 2.05 × 0.933 + 0.15 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $106.50

Facility: (1.18 × 1 + 0.23 × 0.933 + 0.15 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $49.78

Open 36597 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36597

The CMS indicators that decide how 36597 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36597

Catheter repositioning, existing central venous catheter

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

36597 without 51 · national office

$112.90

Catheter repositioning, existing central venous catheter

36597-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$56.45

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

Codes related to 36597

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

Codes related to 36597
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Used instead
36598Device evaluation, fluoroscopic contrast studyContrast injection evaluates an existing central venous device without repositioning it.$109.06
36581Catheter replacement, tunneled, without portReplacement of a tunneled central venous catheter rather than repositioning the existing one.$709.92
36584PICC replacement, complete, with imagingComplete PICC replacement rather than correction of the existing catheter's position.$288.35
36593Device declot, thrombolytic treatmentDrug instillation to clear an obstructed device rather than moving a malpositioned catheter.$35.33

How 36597 has changed in North Carolina

36597 · Office / nonfacility

$106.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.01 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $99.49 to $106.50 (7.0%).

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

    $99.49changed to$106.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.21 changed to 1.18
    • Practice expense RVU 1.90 changed to 2.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $103.09changed to$99.49

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.93 changed to 1.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $101.41changed to$103.09

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $107.16changed to$101.41

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.97 changed to 1.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $109.18changed to$107.16

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 1.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.17
    • 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

    $120.37changed to$109.18

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $129.51changed to$120.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $125.71changed to$129.51

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • 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

    $123.65changed to$125.71

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $122.76changed to$123.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $123.21changed to$122.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.28
    • 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

    $124.54changed to$123.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $123.92changed to$124.54

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $121.77changed to$123.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $121.04changed to$121.77

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.45 changed to 2.27
    • 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: $121.04

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$106.50$49.78RVU26D
2026-07-01$106.50$49.78RVU26C
2026-04-01$106.50$49.78RVU26B
2026-01-01$106.50$49.78RVU26A
2025-10-01$99.49$54.86RVU25D
2025-07-01$99.49$54.86RVU25C
2025-04-01$99.49$54.86RVU25B
2025-01-01$99.49$54.86RVU25A
2024-10-01$103.09$55.93RVU24D
2024-07-01$103.09$55.93RVU24C
2024-04-01$103.09$55.93RVU24B
2024-03-09$103.09$55.93RVU24AR
2024-01-01$101.41$55.02RVU24A
2023-10-01$107.16$58.16RVU23D
2023-07-01$107.16$58.16RVU23C
2023-04-01$107.16$58.16RVU23B
2023-01-01$107.16$58.16RVU23A
2022-10-01$109.18$58.44RVU22D
2022-07-01$109.18$58.44RVU22C
2022-04-01$109.18$58.44RVU22B
2022-01-01$109.18$58.44RVU22A
2021-10-01$120.37$59.50RVU21D
2021-07-01$120.37$59.50RVU21C
2021-04-01$120.37$59.50RVU21B
2021-01-01$120.37$59.50RVU21A
2020-10-01$129.51$61.04RVU20D
2020-07-01$129.51$61.04RVU20C
2020-04-01$129.51$61.04RVU20B
2020-01-01$129.51$61.04RVU20A
2019-10-01$125.71$61.29RVU19D
2019-07-01$125.71$61.29RVU19C
2019-04-01$125.71$61.29RVU19B
2019-01-01$125.71$61.29RVU19A
2018-10-01$123.65$60.97RVU18D
2018-07-01$123.65$60.97RVU18C
2018-04-01$123.65$60.97RVU18B
2018-01-01$123.65$60.97RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$122.76$61.28RVU17D
2017-07-01$122.76$61.28RVU17C
2017-04-01$122.76$61.28RVU17B
2017-01-01$122.76$61.28RVU17A
2016-10-01$123.21$61.61RVU16D
2016-07-01$123.21$61.61RVU16C
2016-04-01$123.21$61.61RVU16B
2016-01-01$123.21$61.61RVU16A
2015-10-01$124.54$62.38RVU15D
2015-07-01$124.54$62.38RVU15C
2015-04-01$123.92$62.07RVU15B
2015-01-01$123.92$62.07RVU15A
2014-10-01$121.77$61.21RVU14D
2014-07-01$121.77$61.21RVU14C
2014-04-01$121.77$61.21RVU14B
2014-01-01$121.77$61.21RVU14A
2013-10-01$121.04$58.59RVU13D
2013-07-01$121.04$58.59RVU13C
2013-04-01$121.04$58.59RVU13B
2013-01-01$121.04$58.59RVU13AR

Price 36597 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

36597 billing questions

How is repositioning different from evaluating the catheter under fluoroscopy?

Report 36597 when the existing catheter is moved to correct its position. If the clinician injects contrast to evaluate the device without repositioning it, consider 36598 instead.

What if the catheter is removed and replaced?

Replacement is different from repositioning the retained catheter. Select the replacement code for the type of central venous access device and the work performed.

What documentation supports 36597?

The procedure note should identify the existing catheter, describe the malposition and the manipulation performed, and record the resulting position.

Can fluoroscopic guidance or routine same-day care be billed separately?

Fluoroscopic guidance is part of this repositioning procedure. CMS also includes routine preoperative and postoperative care on the procedure date in its 0-day global period.

How do multiple procedures and surgical-team claims affect payment?

In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery and does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for 36597.

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 36597PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,535 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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