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CPT code 36600: Arterial blood draw, percutaneous puncture2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports a percutaneous arterial puncture to collect blood, commonly for blood-gas testing when an arterial specimen is clinically needed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality9K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $28.41 for 36600 in the office and $13.13 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$28.41Office (non-facility)
$13.13Hospital or facility
+3.7%vs the national office rate ($27.39)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36600 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 36600 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 36600 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 36600 covers

This service covers obtaining an arterial specimen by puncturing an artery, commonly the radial artery, with a needle. It is often performed at the bedside in an emergency department, hospital, or outpatient setting when arterial blood is needed for blood-gas or other diagnostic testing. A physician or other qualified clinician may perform the collection; the laboratory analysis is a separate service.

Report the puncture when arterial blood is actually collected, not for venous sampling or simply because an arterial catheter is present. Documentation should identify the reason for arterial sampling and support that an arterial specimen was obtained. Report the applicable laboratory analysis separately when performed and separately reportable. Under the CMS multiple-procedure reduction rule, when this service is performed in the same session as other procedures subject to that reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are paid at 50%.

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 Colorado compares for 36600

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36600 runs from $24.76 in Arkansas to $35.45 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $28.41. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36600 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$28.41
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$30.58+$2.17
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$30.94+$2.53
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$29.08+$0.67
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$28.41
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$31.09+$2.68
  7. Alaska · Alaska$33.33+$4.92

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

Every other payment area

36600 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$25.05$12.49
ArkansasArkansas$24.76$12.42
ArizonaArizona$26.79$12.87
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$28.90$13.15
Chico, CACalifornia$28.83$13.08
El Centro, CACalifornia$28.83$13.09
Fresno, CACalifornia$28.83$13.08
Hanford, CACalifornia$28.83$13.08

36600 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.

$24.76

$33.33

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

View every state and territory as a table
36600 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$33.331
AL$25.051
AR$24.761
AZ$26.791
CA$28.83–$35.4529
CO$28.411
CT$29.001
DC$30.941
DE$27.181
FL$27.00–$29.083
GA$25.75–$27.822
GU$29.351
HI$29.351
IA$25.591
ID$25.731
IL$26.34–$28.424
IN$25.851
KS$25.491
KY$25.521
LA$25.48–$26.512
MA$28.29–$30.912
MD$27.63–$30.943
ME$25.83–$26.992
MI$26.05–$27.272
MN$27.391
MO$25.11–$26.603
MS$24.941
MT$27.391
NC$26.051
ND$26.991
NE$25.711
NH$27.981
NJ$29.37–$30.712
NM$26.161
NV$27.291
NY$26.37–$31.725
OH$25.971
OK$25.491
OR$27.12–$29.202
PA$26.01–$28.382
PR$27.561
RI$28.051
SC$26.041
SD$26.951
TN$25.591
TX$25.87–$28.288
UT$26.341
VA$26.91–$30.942
VI$27.561
VT$26.901
WA$28.23–$31.502
WI$26.241
WV$25.531
WY$27.221

See 36600 in every payment locality

How the 36600 rate is calculated

Each of 36600’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 · 36600

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.31

0.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.49

0.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.8200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$27.39

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,537

Code
36600
Physician work
0.31
Practice expense
0.49
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 36600 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.31× 1.0120.3137
Practice expense0.49× 1.0640.5214
Malpractice0.02× 0.7810.0156
Total RVUs0.8507
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$28.41

Office: (0.31 × 1.012 + 0.49 × 1.064 + 0.02 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $28.41

Facility: (0.31 × 1.012 + 0.06 × 1.064 + 0.02 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $13.13

Open 36600 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36600

The CMS indicators that decide how 36600 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36600

Arterial blood draw, percutaneous puncture

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
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

36600 without 51 · national office

$27.39

Arterial blood draw, percutaneous puncture

36600-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$13.70

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 36600

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

Codes related to 36600
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Used instead
36620Arterial catheter, percutaneous placementArterial catheter placement supports ongoing access or monitoring rather than a puncture for specimen collection.No office rate
36410Skilled venipuncture, age three or olderVenipuncture is used when the diagnostic specimen is collected from a vein rather than an artery.$19.76
Often billed with
82803Blood gases, calculated oxygen saturationBlood-gas analysis may be reported for the arterial specimen when performed and separately reportable.$26.07

How 36600 has changed in Colorado

36600 · Office / nonfacility

$28.41

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.09 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $27.32 to $28.41 (4.0%).

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

    $27.32changed to$28.41

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.49
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $28.11changed to$27.32

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $27.65changed to$28.11

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $28.52changed to$27.65

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $29.90changed to$28.52

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $30.88changed to$29.90

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.51 changed to 0.49

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $31.54changed to$30.88

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $31.74changed to$31.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $33.90changed to$31.74

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.58 changed to 0.52

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $32.28changed to$33.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $32.54changed to$32.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $32.63changed to$32.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $32.46changed to$32.63

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $31.66changed to$32.46

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.53 changed to 0.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $31.93changed to$31.66

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.53
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $31.93

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$28.41$13.13RVU26D
2026-07-01$28.41$13.13RVU26C
2026-04-01$28.41$13.13RVU26B
2026-01-01$28.41$13.13RVU26A
2025-10-01$27.32$14.37RVU25D
2025-07-01$27.32$14.37RVU25C
2025-04-01$27.32$14.37RVU25B
2025-01-01$27.32$14.37RVU25A
2024-10-01$28.11$14.79RVU24D
2024-07-01$28.11$14.79RVU24C
2024-04-01$28.11$14.79RVU24B
2024-03-09$28.11$14.79RVU24AR
2024-01-01$27.65$14.55RVU24A
2023-10-01$28.52$15.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$28.52$15.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$28.52$15.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$28.52$15.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$29.90$15.77RVU22D
2022-07-01$29.90$15.77RVU22C
2022-04-01$29.90$15.77RVU22B
2022-01-01$29.90$15.77RVU22A
2021-10-01$30.88$15.90RVU21D
2021-07-01$30.88$15.90RVU21C
2021-04-01$30.88$15.90RVU21B
2021-01-01$30.88$15.90RVU21A
2020-10-01$31.54$16.26RVU20D
2020-07-01$31.54$16.26RVU20C
2020-04-01$31.54$16.26RVU20B
2020-01-01$31.54$16.26RVU20A
2019-10-01$31.74$16.33RVU19D
2019-07-01$31.74$16.33RVU19C
2019-04-01$31.74$16.33RVU19B
2019-01-01$31.74$16.33RVU19A
2018-10-01$33.90$16.31RVU18D
2018-07-01$33.90$16.31RVU18C
2018-04-01$33.90$16.31RVU18B
2018-01-01$33.90$16.31RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$32.28$15.89RVU17D
2017-07-01$32.28$15.89RVU17C
2017-04-01$32.28$15.89RVU17B
2017-01-01$32.28$15.89RVU17A
2016-10-01$32.54$16.25RVU16D
2016-07-01$32.54$16.25RVU16C
2016-04-01$32.54$16.25RVU16B
2016-01-01$32.54$16.25RVU16A
2015-10-01$32.63$15.91RVU15D
2015-07-01$32.63$15.91RVU15C
2015-04-01$32.46$15.84RVU15B
2015-01-01$32.46$15.84RVU15A
2014-10-01$31.66$16.13RVU14D
2014-07-01$31.66$16.13RVU14C
2014-04-01$31.66$16.13RVU14B
2014-01-01$31.66$16.13RVU14A
2013-10-01$31.93$15.53RVU13D
2013-07-01$31.93$15.53RVU13C
2013-04-01$31.93$15.53RVU13B
2013-01-01$31.93$15.53RVU13AR

Price 36600 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

36600 billing questions

When should 36600 be reported instead of 36620?

Use 36600 for a percutaneous arterial puncture to collect a specimen. Code 36620 describes placement of an arterial catheter, generally for ongoing access or monitoring.

Does 36600 include blood-gas analysis?

No. The puncture collects the specimen; report the applicable laboratory analysis separately when performed and separately reportable.

Is 36600 reported for venous blood collection?

No. It represents collection from an artery; venous collection is coded according to the venipuncture service performed.

How many units should be reported for multiple tests from one draw?

The code represents the arterial collection, not each analyte tested. Do not count separate blood-gas results as separate arterial punctures.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect 36600?

When the reduction applies to procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50%.

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 36600PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,537 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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