CPT code 36909: Dialysis access embolization, circuit vessel embolization2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports embolization of vessel branches arising from a dialysis circuit as an add-on to a qualifying dialysis access procedure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $1,814.54 for 36909 in the office and $185.04 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,814.54Office (non-facility)
$185.04Hospital or facility
−0.1%vs the national office rate ($1,816.67)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 36909 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 36909 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 36909 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 36909 covers

This add-on reports embolization of one or more vessels arising from a hemodialysis access circuit, such as a collateral or accessory vein treated to redirect flow through the access. Interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons commonly perform the treatment in an angiography suite, using imaging to guide delivery of an embolic agent or device. It may be part of an intervention on an arteriovenous fistula or graft when the branch vessel itself is being occluded.

Report 36909 only with a qualifying primary dialysis circuit procedure, such as 36901–36906; it is not a standalone service. The record should identify the treated branch vessel or vessels, the reason for embolization, the treatment performed, and the associated primary procedure. The code includes the related radiological supervision and interpretation and imaging guidance when performed. CMS treats it as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period.

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 Houston, TX compares for 36909

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 36909 runs from $1,571.76 in Arkansas to $2,554.79 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $1,814.54. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

36909 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$1,814.54
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$1,910.67+$96.13
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$1,665.68−$148.86
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$1,797.89−$16.65
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$1,808.07−$6.47
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$1,791.76−$22.78
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$1,802.28−$12.26

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

Every other payment area

36909 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$1,729.84$172.55
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$2,118.45$177.16
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$2,121.94$188.86
Miami, FLFlorida$1,918.95$210.69
Chicago, ILIllinois$1,854.90$205.70
Manhattan, NYNew York$2,107.31$200.48
AlaskaAlaska$1,981.66$234.01
AlabamaAlabama$1,599.46$163.60

36909 rates by state

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

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$1,571.76

$2,261.37

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

View every state and territory as a table
36909 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,981.661
AL$1,599.461
AR$1,571.761
AZ$1,761.991
CA$1,967.94–$2,554.7929
CO$1,919.631
CT$1,951.881
DC$2,121.941
DE$1,795.171
FL$1,754.89–$1,918.953
GA$1,641.69–$1,848.142
GU$2,034.681
HI$2,034.681
IA$1,662.081
ID$1,672.081
IL$1,684.85–$1,879.714
IN$1,683.991
KS$1,646.211
KY$1,630.511
LA$1,624.83–$1,721.782
MA$1,902.26–$2,141.762
MD$1,836.10–$2,121.943
ME$1,675.41–$1,793.482
MI$1,675.14–$1,773.932
MN$1,849.061
MO$1,587.01–$1,737.043
MS$1,580.091
MT$1,816.631
NC$1,697.371
ND$1,803.381
NE$1,674.931
NH$1,881.941
NJ$1,976.94–$2,092.262
NM$1,683.391
NV$1,814.601
NY$1,727.03–$2,158.195
OH$1,672.431
OK$1,634.061
OR$1,803.39–$1,997.362
PA$1,679.32–$1,891.472
PR$1,834.601
RI$1,871.591
SC$1,687.161
SD$1,801.821
TN$1,655.251
TX$1,665.68–$1,910.678
UT$1,714.791
VA$1,781.88–$2,121.942
VI$1,834.601
VT$1,789.021
WA$1,901.05–$2,196.122
WI$1,731.471
WV$1,608.861
WY$1,810.861

See 36909 in every payment locality

How the 36909 rate is calculated

Each of 36909’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 · 36909

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.02

4.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense49.70

49.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.67

0.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

54.3900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,816.67

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,570

Code
36909
Physician work
4.02
Practice expense
49.70
Malpractice
0.67

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 36909 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.02× 1.0084.0522
Practice expense49.70× 0.99349.3521
Malpractice0.67× 1.3760.9219
Total RVUs54.3262
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$1814.54

Office: (4.02 × 1.008 + 49.7 × 0.993 + 0.67 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $1814.54

Facility: (4.02 × 1.008 + 0.57 × 0.993 + 0.67 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $185.04

Open 36909 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 36909

The CMS indicators that decide how 36909 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 36909

Dialysis access embolization, circuit vessel embolization

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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.

How 36909 has changed in Houston, TX

36909 · Office / nonfacility

$1814.54

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $80.36 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1734.18 to $1814.54 (4.6%).

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

    $1734.18changed to$1814.54

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.12 changed to 4.02
    • Practice expense RVU 48.36 changed to 49.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.67
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $1864.90changed to$1734.18

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 50.75 changed to 48.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.67 changed to 0.66

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1834.46changed to$1864.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1989.56changed to$1834.46

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 52.90 changed to 50.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.67
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $2147.69changed to$1989.56

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 55.62 changed to 52.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $2215.45changed to$2147.69

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 57.02 changed to 55.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $2090.31changed to$2215.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 52.10 changed to 57.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.63
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $2004.72changed to$2090.31

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 50.25 changed to 52.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.61 changed to 0.60
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $2031.45changed to$2004.72

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 50.97 changed to 50.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.61

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $2003.29changed to$2031.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 3.48 changed to 4.12
    • Practice expense RVU 51.26 changed to 50.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.58 changed to 0.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$2003.29

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,814.54$185.04RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,814.54$185.04RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,814.54$185.04RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,814.54$185.04RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,734.18$200.25RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,734.18$200.25RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,734.18$200.25RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,734.18$200.25RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,864.90$205.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,864.90$205.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,864.90$205.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,864.90$205.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,834.46$202.52RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,989.56$205.77RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,989.56$205.77RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,989.56$205.77RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,989.56$205.77RVU23A
2022-10-01$2,147.69$206.60RVU22D
2022-07-01$2,147.69$206.60RVU22C
2022-04-01$2,147.69$206.60RVU22B
2022-01-01$2,147.69$206.60RVU22A
2021-10-01$2,215.45$208.00RVU21D
2021-07-01$2,215.45$208.00RVU21C
2021-04-01$2,215.45$208.00RVU21B
2021-01-01$2,215.45$208.00RVU21A
2020-10-01$2,090.31$213.29RVU20D
2020-07-01$2,090.31$213.29RVU20C
2020-04-01$2,090.31$213.29RVU20B
2020-01-01$2,090.31$213.29RVU20A
2019-10-01$2,004.72$212.51RVU19D
2019-07-01$2,004.72$212.51RVU19C
2019-04-01$2,004.72$212.51RVU19B
2019-01-01$2,004.72$212.51RVU19A
2018-10-01$2,031.45$219.35RVU18D
2018-07-01$2,031.45$219.35RVU18C
2018-04-01$2,031.45$219.35RVU18B
2018-01-01$2,031.45$219.35RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$2,003.29$186.19RVU17D
2017-07-01$2,003.29$186.19RVU17C
2017-04-01$2,003.29$186.19RVU17B
2017-01-01$2,003.29$186.19RVU17A
2016-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16D
2016-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16C
2016-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16B
2016-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 36909 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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36909 billing questions

Can 36909 be reported by itself?

No. It is an add-on and must be reported with a qualifying primary dialysis circuit procedure, such as 36901–36906.

How is embolization different from angioplasty or stent placement?

36909 reports occlusion of a vessel arising from the dialysis circuit. Angioplasty or stenting treats a narrowed segment of the circuit rather than embolizing a branch vessel.

Does 36909 include imaging guidance and interpretation?

Yes. The code includes the related radiological supervision and interpretation, including imaging guidance when performed.

What should the procedure note document?

Document the vessel or vessels embolized, the clinical reason for treatment, the embolization performed, and the qualifying primary dialysis circuit procedure.

Is 36909 paid separately from the primary procedure’s global period?

No. CMS identifies it as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period.

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 36909PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,570 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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