Billing code 36475: Venous ablationMedicare rate & RVUs
Percutaneous radiofrequency treatment closes the first incompetent vein in an extremity, commonly for symptomatic superficial venous reflux such as great saphenous vein insufficiency.
Medicare pays $1,056.14 for 36475 nationally in the office and $246.50 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $918.36–$1,430.82.
Medicare rate · 36475
Venous ablation
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 5.17
- Total RVUs
- 31.62
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$1,056.14
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 36475 → · Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 10 sections
What 36475 covers
This service uses a percutaneously placed catheter to deliver radiofrequency energy and close an incompetent superficial vein in an extremity. Vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other qualified clinicians commonly perform it in an office-based vascular practice or an outpatient facility for symptomatic venous reflux, often involving the great or small saphenous vein. Imaging guidance and treatment monitoring are included in the service.
Report 36475 for the first vein treated with radiofrequency in the extremity. For an additional vein treated in the same extremity, report 36476 when its requirements are met. Documentation should identify the treated vein, support its incompetence or reflux, and describe the radiofrequency treatment. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. With multiple procedures in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Bilateral treatment with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; 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 36475 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$918.36 to $1430.82
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $933.84 | $225.40 |
| Alaska* | $1,180.16 | $317.89 |
| Arizona | $1,024.41 | $239.87 |
| Arkansas | $918.36 | $222.88 |
| Atlanta | $1,077.90 | $255.30 |
| Austin | $1,101.12 | $244.52 |
| Bakersfield | $1,125.52 | $238.16 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $1,129.69 | $260.95 |
| Beaumont | $977.36 | $240.59 |
| Brazoria | $1,041.46 | $239.11 |
| Chicago | $1,111.31 | $297.63 |
| Chico | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Colorado | $1,103.88 | $242.42 |
| Connecticut | $1,132.72 | $260.74 |
| Dallas | $1,048.86 | $242.46 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $1,220.22 | $266.47 |
| Delaware | $1,042.98 | $243.06 |
| Detroit | $1,052.91 | $271.61 |
| East St. Louis | $1,027.48 | $282.62 |
| El Centro | $1,122.57 | $235.20 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $1,098.16 | $278.00 |
| Fort Worth | $1,040.90 | $242.60 |
| Fresno | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Galveston | $1,045.00 | $241.03 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $1,155.74 | $235.18 |
| Houston | $1,066.05 | $262.07 |
| Idaho | $968.29 | $223.42 |
| Indiana | $974.71 | $224.17 |
| Iowa | $961.15 | $220.33 |
| Kansas | $955.96 | $224.05 |
| Kentucky | $959.07 | $239.30 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $1,204.95 | $247.15 |
| Madera | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Manhattan | $1,226.59 | $285.79 |
| Merced | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $1,222.93 | $256.22 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $1,003.71 | $243.46 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $1,101.30 | $258.47 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $1,015.65 | $244.88 |
| Miami | $1,149.51 | $306.68 |
| Minnesota | $1,053.60 | $220.48 |
| Mississippi | $928.65 | $231.55 |
| Modesto | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Montana** | $1,056.06 | $246.42 |
| Napa | $1,316.84 | $249.74 |
| Nebraska | $967.18 | $219.88 |
| Nevada** | $1,050.57 | $240.12 |
| New Hampshire | $1,085.98 | $243.15 |
| New Mexico | $993.72 | $251.28 |
| New Orleans | $1,011.50 | $249.63 |
| North Carolina | $985.65 | $230.26 |
| North Dakota** | $1,033.32 | $223.68 |
| Northern Nj | $1,204.83 | $265.65 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $1,259.82 | $297.16 |
| Ohio | $982.93 | $243.73 |
| Oklahoma | $957.15 | $234.14 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $1,200.29 | $243.30 |
| Portland | $1,142.87 | $243.36 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $1,152.25 | $265.70 |
| Puerto Rico | $1,064.86 | $246.31 |
| Queens | $1,237.96 | $280.97 |
| Redding | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Rest Of California | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Rest Of Florida | $1,038.28 | $264.26 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $972.25 | $250.05 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $1,004.24 | $265.04 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $957.34 | $240.81 |
| Rest Of Maine | $974.01 | $229.15 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $1,064.85 | $245.50 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $1,095.89 | $243.34 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $987.57 | $248.37 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $938.52 | $240.61 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $1,144.51 | $260.39 |
| Rest Of New York | $1,002.48 | $233.32 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $1,041.35 | $234.95 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $984.73 | $241.48 |
| Rest Of Texas | $1,009.31 | $240.97 |
| Rest Of Washington | $1,093.99 | $241.44 |
| Rhode Island | $1,083.16 | $246.80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $1,134.72 | $247.36 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $1,182.27 | $240.66 |
| Salinas | $1,178.03 | $239.66 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $1,209.35 | $241.03 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $1,398.23 | $256.64 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $1,396.92 | $255.33 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $1,430.82 | $263.32 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $1,425.48 | $257.98 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $1,158.71 | $236.53 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $1,223.62 | $239.91 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $1,183.43 | $239.39 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $1,236.16 | $241.93 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $1,249.57 | $256.14 |
| South Carolina | $986.15 | $238.05 |
| South Dakota** | $1,030.63 | $220.99 |
| Southern Maine | $1,034.36 | $232.01 |
| Stockton | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| Suburban Chicago | $1,109.81 | $278.32 |
| Tennessee | $961.45 | $225.49 |
| Utah | $1,001.52 | $240.46 |
| Vallejo | $1,314.96 | $247.86 |
| Vermont | $1,028.71 | $227.17 |
| Virgin Islands | $1,064.86 | $246.31 |
| Virginia | $1,030.48 | $234.60 |
| Visalia | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
| West Virginia | $961.99 | $258.42 |
| Wisconsin | $994.06 | $218.43 |
| Wyoming** | $1,046.15 | $236.51 |
| Yuba City | $1,122.37 | $235.01 |
36475 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.
$918.36
$1,276.59
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $1,180.16 | 1 |
| AL | $933.84 | 1 |
| AR | $918.36 | 1 |
| AZ | $1,024.41 | 1 |
| CA | $1,122.37–$1,430.82 | 29 |
| CO | $1,103.88 | 1 |
| CT | $1,132.72 | 1 |
| DC | $1,220.22 | 1 |
| DE | $1,042.98 | 1 |
| FL | $1,038.28–$1,149.51 | 3 |
| GA | $972.25–$1,077.90 | 2 |
| GU | $1,155.74 | 1 |
| HI | $1,155.74 | 1 |
| IA | $961.15 | 1 |
| ID | $968.29 | 1 |
| IL | $1,004.24–$1,111.31 | 4 |
| IN | $974.71 | 1 |
| KS | $955.96 | 1 |
| KY | $959.07 | 1 |
| LA | $957.34–$1,011.50 | 2 |
| MA | $1,095.89–$1,222.93 | 2 |
| MD | $1,064.85–$1,220.22 | 3 |
| ME | $974.01–$1,034.36 | 2 |
| MI | $987.57–$1,052.91 | 2 |
| MN | $1,053.60 | 1 |
| MO | $938.52–$1,015.65 | 3 |
| MS | $928.65 | 1 |
| MT | $1,056.06 | 1 |
| NC | $985.65 | 1 |
| ND | $1,033.32 | 1 |
| NE | $967.18 | 1 |
| NH | $1,085.98 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,144.51–$1,204.83 | 2 |
| NM | $993.72 | 1 |
| NV | $1,050.57 | 1 |
| NY | $1,002.48–$1,259.82 | 5 |
| OH | $982.93 | 1 |
| OK | $957.15 | 1 |
| OR | $1,041.35–$1,142.87 | 2 |
| PA | $984.73–$1,101.30 | 2 |
| PR | $1,064.86 | 1 |
| RI | $1,083.16 | 1 |
| SC | $986.15 | 1 |
| SD | $1,030.63 | 1 |
| TN | $961.45 | 1 |
| TX | $977.36–$1,101.12 | 8 |
| UT | $1,001.52 | 1 |
| VA | $1,030.48–$1,220.22 | 2 |
| VI | $1,064.86 | 1 |
| VT | $1,028.71 | 1 |
| WA | $1,093.99–$1,249.57 | 2 |
| WI | $994.06 | 1 |
| WV | $961.99 | 1 |
| WY | $1,046.15 | 1 |
How the 36475 rate is calculated
Each of 36475’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 · 36475
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 5.17Practice expense 25.30Malpractice 1.15
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 36475
The CMS indicators that decide how 36475 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 36475
Venous ablation
| 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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
36475 without 50 · national office
$1,056.14
Venous ablation
36475-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,584.21
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).
36475 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
36475 vs 36476 vs 36478 vs 36473 vs 36482: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 36476Vein ablation
- 36475 applies to the first radiofrequency-treated vein in the extremity; 36476 applies to an additional vein in that same extremity.
- 36478Laser vein ablation
- Both treat the first incompetent vein, but 36478 uses laser energy and 36475 uses radiofrequency.
- 36473Vein ablation
- Both address the first incompetent vein, but 36473 uses mechanochemical treatment rather than radiofrequency.
- 36482Vein ablation
- 36482 treats the first incompetent vein with chemical adhesive; 36475 uses radiofrequency catheter ablation.
36475 billing questions
When should 36475 be used instead of 36476?
Use 36475 for the first vein treated with radiofrequency in the extremity. Use 36476 for an additional vein treated in that same extremity when its requirements are met.
Is imaging guidance separately reported with 36475?
Imaging guidance and monitoring are included in 36475. Do not separately report those elements as though they were outside the ablation service.
What documentation supports reporting 36475?
Document the incompetent vein and evidence of reflux, the extremity and vein treated, and the radiofrequency catheter treatment. The record should distinguish the first treated vein from any additional vein.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
For bilateral treatment, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
How does the 0-day global period affect same-day care?
Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure's 0-day global period.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for this procedure?
Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid for 36475. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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
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