Billing code 36561: Port placementMedicare rate & RVUs
Reports placement of a tunneled central venous catheter connected to an implanted port for patients age five or older needing ongoing vascular access.
Medicare pays $962.61 for 36561 nationally in the office and $299.94 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $842.58–$1,296.69.
Medicare rate · 36561
Port placement
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 5.65
- Total RVUs
- 28.82
- Global days
- 010
National rate · 2026
$962.61
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 36561 → · 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 36561 covers
This service places a central venous catheter through a tunnel under the skin and connects it to a port implanted beneath the skin. The port provides repeat access for treatments such as chemotherapy, long-term intravenous medication, or blood sampling. Surgeons and interventional radiologists commonly perform the procedure in hospital procedural settings and, in some cases, office settings. The patient must be at least five years old, and the device must include a subcutaneous port.
Report the code for initial placement, not for a non-tunneled line, a tunneled catheter without a port, or replacement of an existing device. The operative report should support the patient’s age, tunneled route, port placement, and reason for access. Imaging guidance used for placement is included in the procedure. CMS assigns a 10-day global period, including related postoperative visits during that period. In a session with multiple procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Modifier 50 for a bilateral procedure is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery is paid only with 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 36561 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
$842.58 to $1296.69
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $856.07 | $276.23 |
| Alaska* | $1,090.97 | $385.22 |
| Arizona | $935.04 | $292.91 |
| Arkansas | $842.58 | $273.34 |
| Atlanta | $981.43 | $308.16 |
| Austin | $1,002.42 | $301.31 |
| Bakersfield | $1,025.04 | $298.75 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $1,027.33 | $316.28 |
| Beaumont | $893.57 | $290.53 |
| Brazoria | $950.46 | $293.75 |
| Chicago | $1,008.74 | $342.75 |
| Chico | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Colorado | $1,005.43 | $300.34 |
| Connecticut | $1,030.20 | $316.50 |
| Dallas | $956.84 | $296.81 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $1,108.50 | $327.87 |
| Delaware | $951.45 | $296.72 |
| Detroit | $958.41 | $318.93 |
| East St. Louis | $935.42 | $325.76 |
| El Centro | $1,022.51 | $296.22 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $997.90 | $326.61 |
| Fort Worth | $949.83 | $296.43 |
| Fresno | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Galveston | $953.47 | $295.44 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $1,050.93 | $297.47 |
| Houston | $970.86 | $312.82 |
| Idaho | $886.52 | $276.86 |
| Indiana | $892.13 | $277.83 |
| Iowa | $880.40 | $274.05 |
| Kansas | $875.63 | $276.57 |
| Kentucky | $877.54 | $288.42 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $1,095.51 | $311.56 |
| Madera | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Manhattan | $1,113.52 | $343.49 |
| Merced | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $1,110.84 | $319.61 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $916.61 | $294.36 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $1,002.56 | $312.72 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $927.05 | $296.19 |
| Miami | $1,041.56 | $351.72 |
| Minnesota | $961.80 | $279.91 |
| Mississippi | $851.17 | $280.61 |
| Modesto | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Montana** | $962.55 | $299.88 |
| Napa | $1,194.90 | $321.50 |
| Nebraska | $885.73 | $274.08 |
| Nevada** | $958.06 | $294.72 |
| New Hampshire | $989.08 | $299.23 |
| New Mexico | $907.39 | $299.72 |
| New Orleans | $923.14 | $299.57 |
| North Carolina | $901.43 | $283.16 |
| North Dakota** | $943.77 | $281.09 |
| Northern Nj | $1,095.41 | $326.71 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $1,142.15 | $354.24 |
| Ohio | $898.30 | $293.28 |
| Oklahoma | $876.13 | $284.36 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $1,091.01 | $307.73 |
| Portland | $1,039.89 | $303.66 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $1,048.28 | $322.65 |
| Puerto Rico | $970.30 | $300.34 |
| Queens | $1,123.79 | $340.51 |
| Redding | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Rest Of California | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Rest Of Florida | $945.92 | $312.40 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $888.55 | $297.45 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $915.91 | $310.89 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $875.93 | $289.47 |
| Rest Of Maine | $891.25 | $281.59 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $970.81 | $300.18 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $998.53 | $300.73 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $902.14 | $297.12 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $859.37 | $288.14 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $1,041.52 | $317.88 |
| Rest Of New York | $916.08 | $286.54 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $950.22 | $290.20 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $900.01 | $291.68 |
| Rest Of Texas | $921.69 | $292.81 |
| Rest Of Washington | $996.82 | $299.02 |
| Rhode Island | $987.26 | $302.72 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $1,032.59 | $306.30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $1,075.66 | $304.97 |
| Salinas | $1,071.75 | $303.71 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $1,099.21 | $306.65 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $1,267.66 | $333.29 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $1,266.59 | $332.22 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $1,296.69 | $341.11 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $1,292.28 | $336.70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $1,054.26 | $299.47 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $1,111.42 | $306.27 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $1,076.37 | $303.70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $1,122.77 | $309.00 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $1,134.72 | $321.61 |
| South Carolina | $901.45 | $289.14 |
| South Dakota** | $941.54 | $278.87 |
| Southern Maine | $944.23 | $287.52 |
| Stockton | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| Suburban Chicago | $1,008.47 | $327.90 |
| Tennessee | $880.39 | $278.01 |
| Utah | $914.85 | $291.93 |
| Vallejo | $1,193.35 | $319.94 |
| Vermont | $939.52 | $283.47 |
| Virgin Islands | $970.30 | $300.34 |
| Virginia | $940.67 | $289.26 |
| Visalia | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
| West Virginia | $879.07 | $303.20 |
| Wisconsin | $909.49 | $274.64 |
| Wyoming** | $954.36 | $291.69 |
| Yuba City | $1,022.35 | $296.06 |
36561 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.
$842.58
$1,159.52
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 | $1,090.97 | 1 |
| AL | $856.07 | 1 |
| AR | $842.58 | 1 |
| AZ | $935.04 | 1 |
| CA | $1,022.35–$1,296.69 | 29 |
| CO | $1,005.43 | 1 |
| CT | $1,030.20 | 1 |
| DC | $1,108.50 | 1 |
| DE | $951.45 | 1 |
| FL | $945.92–$1,041.56 | 3 |
| GA | $888.55–$981.43 | 2 |
| GU | $1,050.93 | 1 |
| HI | $1,050.93 | 1 |
| IA | $880.40 | 1 |
| ID | $886.52 | 1 |
| IL | $915.91–$1,008.74 | 4 |
| IN | $892.13 | 1 |
| KS | $875.63 | 1 |
| KY | $877.54 | 1 |
| LA | $875.93–$923.14 | 2 |
| MA | $998.53–$1,110.84 | 2 |
| MD | $970.81–$1,108.50 | 3 |
| ME | $891.25–$944.23 | 2 |
| MI | $902.14–$958.41 | 2 |
| MN | $961.80 | 1 |
| MO | $859.37–$927.05 | 3 |
| MS | $851.17 | 1 |
| MT | $962.55 | 1 |
| NC | $901.43 | 1 |
| ND | $943.77 | 1 |
| NE | $885.73 | 1 |
| NH | $989.08 | 1 |
| NJ | $1,041.52–$1,095.41 | 2 |
| NM | $907.39 | 1 |
| NV | $958.06 | 1 |
| NY | $916.08–$1,142.15 | 5 |
| OH | $898.30 | 1 |
| OK | $876.13 | 1 |
| OR | $950.22–$1,039.89 | 2 |
| PA | $900.01–$1,002.56 | 2 |
| PR | $970.30 | 1 |
| RI | $987.26 | 1 |
| SC | $901.45 | 1 |
| SD | $941.54 | 1 |
| TN | $880.39 | 1 |
| TX | $893.57–$1,002.42 | 8 |
| UT | $914.85 | 1 |
| VA | $940.67–$1,108.50 | 2 |
| VI | $970.30 | 1 |
| VT | $939.52 | 1 |
| WA | $996.82–$1,134.72 | 2 |
| WI | $909.49 | 1 |
| WV | $879.07 | 1 |
| WY | $954.36 | 1 |
How the 36561 rate is calculated
Each of 36561’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 · 36561
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 5.65Practice expense 22.22Malpractice 0.95
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 36561
36561 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 36561
Port placement
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 36561
Port placement
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
36561 without 50 · national office
$962.61
Port placement
36561-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$1,443.92
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).
36561 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
36561 vs 36560 vs 36558 vs 36556: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 36560Central venous port
- The device and port type are similar, but 36560 applies to patients younger than five. This code applies at age five or older.
- 36558Tunneled catheter
- Both are for tunneled central venous access in patients age five or older. Choose 36558 when there is no subcutaneous port.
- 36556Central line insertion
- 36556 reports non-tunneled central venous catheter placement. This code describes a tunneled catheter connected to an implanted port.
36561 billing questions
How does this differ from 36560?
Both describe tunneled central venous access with a subcutaneous port. Use 36561 for a patient age five or older; 36560 is for a patient younger than five.
When is 36558 more appropriate?
Use 36558 for a tunneled central venous catheter in a patient age five or older when the device has no subcutaneous port. This code requires a port.
Can imaging guidance be billed separately?
Imaging guidance used to place the access device is included in this procedure and is not separately reported as guidance.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the patient’s age, the tunneled catheter placement, the subcutaneous port, and the clinical need for ongoing central venous access.
How does CMS handle other procedures performed in the same session?
Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and other procedures at 50%. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits.
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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