CPT code 37273: Peripheral atherectomy, complex, initial vessel2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Reports complex endovascular atherectomy in the initial femoral or popliteal artery vessel treated for peripheral arterial disease.
Medicare pays $11,471.63–$12,618.40 for 37273 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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 in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$11471.63 to $12618.40
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $12,450.79 | $570.32 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $12,618.40 | $573.45 |
| Rest of Missouri | $11,471.63 | $565.38 |
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.
How the rate is built · 37273
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work12.63
12.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense380.61
380.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice2.81
2.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
396.0500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$13,228.43
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 37273
The CMS indicators that decide how 37273 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 37273
Peripheral atherectomy, complex, initial vessel
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
37273 without 50 · national office
$13,228.43
Peripheral atherectomy, complex, initial vessel
37273-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$19,842.65
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
37273 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
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.
37273 billing questions
How is complex atherectomy distinguished from simple atherectomy?
Use the CPT criteria for the complex level rather than relying only on the operator's description. The record should support the lesion characteristics that qualify the treated vessel as complex.
Is balloon angioplasty separately reported in the treated vessel?
Angioplasty performed in the same vessel as this atherectomy is included in the revascularization service. Do not report a separate angioplasty code for that work.
When is 37274 used with this code?
37274 identifies each additional vessel treated with complex atherectomy. Use 37273 for the initial qualifying vessel and document each treated vessel.
What if a stent is also placed in the treated vessel?
Use the code describing the applicable stent-and-atherectomy treatment rather than reporting this atherectomy-only code for that vessel. For complex treatment, compare with 37277.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
Report bilateral treatment with modifier 50. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.
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
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