CPT code 37273: Peripheral atherectomy, complex, initial vessel2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $13,228.43 for 37273 nationally in the office and $576.17 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $11,390.41–$18,850.30.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 37273 covers

This code represents endovascular atherectomy to restore flow through a complex lesion in a femoral or popliteal artery. It is typically performed by a vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, or interventional cardiologist using catheter-based equipment. Balloon angioplasty in the treated vessel is included when performed. The code identifies the initial vessel treated with complex atherectomy; it is not the code for a simple atherectomy or for treatment that includes stent placement.

Select the complex level using the applicable CPT criteria, and document the target artery, laterality, lesion characteristics supporting that level, and the atherectomy performed. Use the corresponding additional-vessel code when another qualifying vessel is treated. The procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. With multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 for bilateral treatment is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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.

Where 37273 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

37273 rates by state

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

How the 37273 rate is calculated

Each of 37273’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 37273

The CMS indicators that decide how 37273 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

37273 compared with similar codes

How to choose

37271AtherectomyStraightforward, initial vessel

Both describe initial-vessel femoropopliteal atherectomy, but 37271 is for the simple level; 37273 is for a lesion meeting the complex criteria.

37274AtherectomyComplex, additional vessel

37274 reports complex atherectomy in an additional vessel; 37273 identifies the initial vessel treated.

37277Peripheral revascularizationComplex, initial vessel

Use 37277 when complex femoropopliteal treatment includes stent placement with atherectomy. Use 37273 when the treatment is atherectomy without stenting.

37265Vessel angioplastyComplex, initial vessel

37265 represents complex femoropopliteal angioplasty without atherectomy; 37273 represents complex atherectomy, with angioplasty included when performed.

Codes related to 37273

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates