CPT code 37253: IVUS, each additional noncoronary vessel2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Minnesota

Reports intravascular ultrasound of each additional noncoronary vessel evaluated during a vascular procedure, after the initial vessel is coded.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality100.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Minnesota, Medicare pays $166.39 for 37253 in the office and $56.06 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$166.39Office (non-facility)
$56.06Hospital or facility
−1.9%vs the national office rate ($169.68)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 37253 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 37253 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Minnesota
  2. What 37253 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 37253 covers

A vascular specialist advances an ultrasound catheter through the vessel to examine the lumen and wall from inside. Intravascular ultrasound can help assess plaque, narrowing, thrombus, or the result of an intervention in noncoronary vessels such as the aorta, iliac vessels, and peripheral arteries or veins. Vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other physicians performing endovascular procedures commonly use it in an angiography suite or operating room. The service includes image interpretation.

Report 37253 for each additional noncoronary vessel examined after the initial vessel, which is reported with 37252. Count vessels, not ultrasound passes, images, or separate findings within one vessel. The record should identify each vessel evaluated and support the physician’s interpretation and clinical use of the images. This is an add-on code: submit it with an eligible primary procedure, not by itself. Its payment is within that primary procedure’s global period; it does not establish a separate 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 Minnesota compares for 37253

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 37253 runs from $149.13 in Arkansas to $220.68 in San Benito County, CA. Minnesota pays $166.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

37253 in Minnesota vs other payment areas
  1. Minnesota · this page$166.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$189.23+$22.84
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$193.47+$27.08
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$188.63+$22.24
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$182.68+$16.29
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$196.55+$30.16
  7. Alaska · Alaska$196.24+$29.85

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

Every other payment area

37253 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$151.42$57.61
ArkansasArkansas$149.13$57.03
ArizonaArizona$164.81$60.92
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$177.81$60.30
Chico, CACalifornia$177.03$59.52
El Centro, CACalifornia$177.08$59.57
Fresno, CACalifornia$177.03$59.52
Hanford, CACalifornia$177.03$59.52

37253 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.

$149.13

$198.86

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

View every state and territory as a table
37253 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$196.241
AL$151.421
AR$149.131
AZ$164.811
CA$177.03–$220.6829
CO$175.461
CT$181.321
DC$193.471
DE$167.601
FL$169.38–$188.633
GA$159.21–$173.512
GU$181.301
HI$181.301
IA$154.381
ID$155.661
IL$165.06–$182.684
IN$156.581
KS$154.141
KY$156.281
LA$156.22–$164.252
MA$174.55–$192.602
MD$170.74–$193.473
ME$157.06–$165.202
MI$161.00–$172.122
MN$166.391
MO$153.76–$164.243
MS$151.451
MT$169.661
NC$158.691
ND$164.121
NE$155.121
NH$173.161
NJ$182.90–$191.432
NM$162.131
NV$168.231
NY$161.22–$202.155
OH$159.871
OK$155.441
OR$166.44–$180.642
PA$159.85–$176.982
PR$170.791
RI$173.301
SC$159.641
SD$163.471
TN$155.011
TX$158.79–$175.298
UT$161.911
VA$165.00–$193.472
VI$170.791
VT$163.921
WA$174.07–$196.082
WI$158.441
WV$158.831
WY$167.241

See 37253 in every payment locality

How the 37253 rate is calculated

Each of 37253’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 · 37253

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.40

1.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.40

3.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.28

0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.0800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$169.68

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

The exact Minnesota inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,612

Code
37253
Physician work
1.40
Practice expense
3.40
Malpractice
0.28

GPCI2026.csv

66

Locality
Minnesota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.029
Malpractice
0.296
Office calculation for 37253 in Minnesota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.40× 1.0001.4000
Practice expense3.40× 1.0293.4986
Malpractice0.28× 0.2960.0829
Total RVUs4.9815
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Minnesota$166.39

Office: (1.4 × 1 + 3.4 × 1.029 + 0.28 × 0.296) × $33.4009 = $166.39

Facility: (1.4 × 1 + 0.19 × 1.029 + 0.28 × 0.296) × $33.4009 = $56.06

Open 37253 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 37253

The CMS indicators that decide how 37253 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 37253

IVUS, each additional noncoronary vessel

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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

How 37253 has changed in Minnesota

37253 · Office / nonfacility

$166.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.69 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $160.70 to $166.39 (3.5%).

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

    $160.70changed to$166.39

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.44 changed to 1.40
    • Practice expense RVU 3.36 changed to 3.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.300 changed to 0.296

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $166.98changed to$160.70

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.41 changed to 3.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $164.25changed to$166.98

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $169.77changed to$164.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.42 changed to 3.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.326 changed to 0.300
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $171.38changed to$169.77

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 3.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.353 changed to 0.326

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $182.59changed to$171.38

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.65 changed to 3.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $188.78changed to$182.59

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.64 changed to 3.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.357 changed to 0.353

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $196.22changed to$188.78

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.362 changed to 0.357

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $205.47changed to$196.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 3.85

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $205.58changed to$205.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.341 changed to 0.362

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $216.75changed to$205.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.42 changed to 4.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.319 changed to 0.341

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    No ratechanged to$216.75

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$166.39$56.06RVU26D
2026-07-01$166.39$56.06RVU26C
2026-04-01$166.39$56.06RVU26B
2026-01-01$166.39$56.06RVU26A
2025-10-01$160.70$61.23RVU25D
2025-07-01$160.70$61.23RVU25C
2025-04-01$160.70$61.23RVU25B
2025-01-01$160.70$61.23RVU25A
2024-10-01$166.98$62.57RVU24D
2024-07-01$166.98$62.57RVU24C
2024-04-01$166.98$62.57RVU24B
2024-03-09$166.98$62.57RVU24AR
2024-01-01$164.25$61.55RVU24A
2023-10-01$169.77$64.10RVU23D
2023-07-01$169.77$64.10RVU23C
2023-04-01$169.77$64.10RVU23B
2023-01-01$169.77$64.10RVU23A
2022-10-01$171.38$65.51RVU22D
2022-07-01$171.38$65.51RVU22C
2022-04-01$171.38$65.51RVU22B
2022-01-01$171.38$65.51RVU22A
2021-10-01$182.59$66.30RVU21D
2021-07-01$182.59$66.30RVU21C
2021-04-01$182.59$66.30RVU21B
2021-01-01$182.59$66.30RVU21A
2020-10-01$188.78$69.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$188.78$69.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$188.78$69.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$188.78$69.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$196.22$69.79RVU19D
2019-07-01$196.22$69.79RVU19C
2019-04-01$196.22$69.79RVU19B
2019-01-01$196.22$69.79RVU19A
2018-10-01$205.47$70.07RVU18D
2018-07-01$205.47$70.07RVU18C
2018-04-01$205.47$70.07RVU18B
2018-01-01$205.47$70.07RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$205.58$70.30RVU17D
2017-07-01$205.58$70.30RVU17C
2017-04-01$205.58$70.30RVU17B
2017-01-01$205.58$70.30RVU17A
2016-10-01$216.75$69.57RVU16D
2016-07-01$216.75$69.57RVU16C
2016-04-01$216.75$69.57RVU16B
2016-01-01$216.75$69.57RVU16A
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 37253 for an earlier date of service

Where the Minnesota rate applies

Minnesota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 916 cities and communities in Minnesota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ada
  • Adams
  • Adrian
  • Afton
  • Aitkin
  • Akeley
  • Albany
  • Albert Lea

Browse all communities in Minnesota

37253 billing questions

How does 37253 differ from 37252?

37252 represents intravascular ultrasound of the initial noncoronary vessel. Use 37253 for each additional noncoronary vessel evaluated.

Can 37253 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with an eligible primary procedure; the initial-vessel IVUS code is 37252.

Are units based on ultrasound passes or vessels?

Units correspond to additional vessels, not repeated catheter passes or imaging runs in the same vessel.

What documentation supports an additional unit?

Document the additional vessel examined and the findings and interpretation for that vessel. The record should distinguish it from the initial vessel.

Is 37253 for coronary IVUS?

No. It applies to additional noncoronary vessels. Coronary intravascular ultrasound uses the coronary-specific code family, including 92979 for an additional vessel.

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 37253PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,612 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MinnesotaGPCI2026.csv, line 66 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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