FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu
On this page

CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

36012 in Merced

Office / nonfacility

$865.28

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$147.77

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Vascular catheterization

About 36012: Selective venous catheterization, second order or beyond

Reports selective catheter advancement into a second-order or more distal venous branch, such as during adrenal vein sampling or a venous intervention.

This code represents advancing a catheter from a larger vein into a more selective branch at least one level beyond a first-order branch. It may be performed by an interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, or another physician during venous sampling, venography, or a catheter-based treatment. Adrenal vein sampling is a representative clinical situation: the operator steers the catheter into the adrenal venous branch to obtain a targeted sample.

Choose the code based on the most selective branch reached, not simply the access vein or the length of catheter advancement. The procedure report should identify the target vein and document the catheter position. This code describes catheter placement; report related imaging, sampling, or treatment services only when separately supported and permitted by applicable coding rules. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and other procedures at 50%. For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, CMS pays this code at 150%.

CMS billing rules for 36012

Multiple procedures
Standard multiple procedure reduction: the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50% when performed in the same session.
Bilateral procedures
Bilateral procedure with modifier 50 is paid at 150%.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU3.42 · 14%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU20.16 · 83%
  • Malpractice RVU0.62 · 3%

9.9K

Medicare services in 2024 · #1468 by national volume

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.

36012 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.

36010

Venous catheter

SVC or IVC placement

$548.27

36010 represents catheter placement at the vena cava level. Choose 36012 when the catheter is advanced selectively into a second-order or more distal venous branch.

36011

Venous catheterization

First-order branch

$838.80

36011 applies to a first-order venous branch. 36012 requires catheter placement farther into the branching venous anatomy.

36014

Pulmonary catheterization

Selective pulmonary artery

$806.20

36014 describes selective catheter placement in an arterial branch. 36012 is for selective placement in the venous system.

The same code, a different location

How does Merced compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 36012 is $867.02—$1.74 higher than the $865.28 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

36012 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Merced · This locality

    $865.28

  2. Bakersfield

    $867.02

    $1.74 higher than Merced

  3. Chico

    $865.28

    The same base rate than Merced

  4. El Centro

    $865.38

    $0.10 higher than Merced

  5. Fresno

    $865.28

    The same base rate than Merced

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $865.28

    The same base rate than Merced

  7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $929.25

    $63.97 higher than Merced

Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 36012 ranges from $703.31 in Arkansas to $1108.88 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Madera

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1019.44

    Facility

    $156.60

    $154.16 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 36012

    Office

    $926.25

    Facility

    $152.44

    $60.97 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 36012

    Office

    $871.96

    Facility

    $154.45

    $6.68 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 36012

    Office

    $912.56

    Facility

    $151.20

    $47.28 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 36012

    Office

    $909.30

    Facility

    $150.55

    $44.02 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 36012

    Office

    $934.22

    Facility

    $151.25

    $68.94 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1084.03

    Facility

    $160.96

    $218.75 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1083.32

    Facility

    $160.26

    $218.04 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1108.88

    Facility

    $164.87

    $243.60 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1106.01

    Facility

    $161.99

    $240.73 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 36012

    Office

    $894.23

    Facility

    $148.58

    $28.95 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 36012

    Office

    $945.86

    Facility

    $150.46

    $80.58 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 36012

    Office

    $913.67

    Facility

    $150.34

    $48.39 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 36012

    Office

    $955.65

    Facility

    $151.73

    $90.37 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 36012

    Office

    $1018.42

    Facility

    $155.59

    $153.14 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 36012

    Office

    $865.28

    Facility

    $147.77

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 36012

    Office

    $936.67

    Facility

    $165.48

    $71.39 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 36012

    Office

    $867.57

    Facility

    $186.07

    $2.29 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 36012

    Office

    $839.29

    Facility

    $181.35

    $25.99 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 36012

    Office

    $936.83

    Facility

    $176.12

    $71.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 36012

    Office

    $899.89

    Facility

    $202.68

    $34.61 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 36012

    Office

    $715.14

    Facility

    $142.32

    $150.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 36012

    Office

    $703.31

    Facility

    $140.96

    $161.97 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 36012

    Office

    $784.45

    Facility

    $150.08

    $80.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 36012

    Office

    $848.23

    Facility

    $151.68

    $17.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 36012

    Office

    $866.78

    Facility

    $161.72

    $1.50 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 36012

    Office

    $798.70

    Facility

    $151.90

    $66.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 36012

    Office

    $833.79

    Facility

    $170.62

    $31.49 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 36012

    Office

    $789.09

    Facility

    $163.24

    $76.19 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 36012

    Office

    $823.58

    Facility

    $158.45

    $41.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 36012

    Office

    $739.55

    Facility

    $155.60

    $125.73 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 36012

    Office

    $891.83

    Facility

    $147.49

    $26.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 36012

    Office

    $738.58

    Facility

    $139.57

    $126.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 36012

    Office

    $743.52

    Facility

    $141.23

    $121.76 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 36012

    Office

    $775.43

    Facility

    $173.15

    $89.85 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 36012

    Office

    $761.38

    Facility

    $163.68

    $103.90 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 36012

    Office

    $843.27

    Facility

    $170.94

    $22.01 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 36012

    Office

    $748.50

    Facility

    $141.63

    $116.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 36012

    Office

    $733.39

    Facility

    $141.58

    $131.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 36012

    Office

    $731.80

    Facility

    $149.81

    $133.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 36012

    Office

    $771.39

    Facility

    $155.36

    $93.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 36012

    Office

    $730.00

    Facility

    $150.62

    $135.28 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 36012

    Office

    $941.34

    Facility

    $159.68

    $76.06 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 36012

    Office

    $841.61

    Facility

    $152.26

    $23.67 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 36012

    Office

    $864.19

    Facility

    $161.75

    $1.09 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 36012

    Office

    $815.83

    Facility

    $153.31

    $49.45 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 36012

    Office

    $746.60

    Facility

    $144.32

    $118.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 36012

    Office

    $794.60

    Facility

    $145.83

    $70.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 36012

    Office

    $798.94

    Facility

    $167.20

    $66.34 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 36012

    Office

    $752.39

    Facility

    $154.69

    $112.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 36012

    Office

    $813.25

    Facility

    $139.61

    $52.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 36012

    Office

    $766.75

    Facility

    $152.03

    $98.53 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 36012

    Office

    $776.02

    Facility

    $152.79

    $89.26 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 36012

    Office

    $714.84

    Facility

    $150.52

    $150.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 36012

    Office

    $709.30

    Facility

    $145.64

    $155.98 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 36012

    Office

    $808.26

    Facility

    $153.60

    $57.02 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 36012

    Office

    $755.71

    Facility

    $144.92

    $109.57 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 36012

    Office

    $796.00

    Facility

    $141.34

    $69.28 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 36012

    Office

    $743.57

    Facility

    $139.32

    $121.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 36012

    Office

    $833.32

    Facility

    $151.82

    $31.96 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 36012

    Office

    $924.64

    Facility

    $165.24

    $59.36 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 36012

    Office

    $876.83

    Facility

    $161.94

    $11.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 36012

    Office

    $756.58

    Facility

    $156.25

    $108.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 36012

    Office

    $805.52

    Facility

    $150.20

    $59.76 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 36012

    Office

    $960.63

    Facility

    $182.24

    $95.35 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 36012

    Office

    $881.76

    Facility

    $164.91

    $16.48 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 36012

    Office

    $947.32

    Facility

    $173.51

    $82.04 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 36012

    Office

    $768.48

    Facility

    $146.56

    $96.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 36012

    Office

    $749.88

    Facility

    $152.18

    $115.40 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 36012

    Office

    $731.63

    Facility

    $147.02

    $133.65 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 36012

    Office

    $879.57

    Facility

    $152.25

    $14.29 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 36012

    Office

    $799.46

    Facility

    $147.42

    $65.82 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 36012

    Office

    $841.96

    Facility

    $160.46

    $23.32 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 36012

    Office

    $751.95

    Facility

    $150.97

    $113.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 36012

    Office

    $815.40

    Facility

    $153.54

    $49.88 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 36012

    Office

    $830.46

    Facility

    $154.20

    $34.82 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 36012

    Office

    $754.02

    Facility

    $149.12

    $111.26 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 36012

    Office

    $794.55

    Facility

    $139.89

    $70.73 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 36012

    Office

    $737.44

    Facility

    $142.35

    $127.84 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $845.22

    Facility

    $152.60

    $20.06 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $746.23

    Facility

    $150.49

    $119.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $798.60

    Facility

    $149.83

    $66.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $803.70

    Facility

    $151.66

    $61.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $797.23

    Facility

    $151.74

    $68.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $800.94

    Facility

    $150.87

    $64.34 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $812.29

    Facility

    $162.21

    $52.99 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 36012

    Office

    $771.95

    Facility

    $150.68

    $93.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 36012

    Office

    $765.79

    Facility

    $150.41

    $99.49 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 36012

    Office

    $790.77

    Facility

    $147.24

    $74.51 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 36012

    Office

    $815.40

    Facility

    $153.54

    $49.88 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 36012

    Office

    $791.34

    Facility

    $143.23

    $73.94 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 36012

    Office

    $840.53

    Facility

    $151.17

    $24.75 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 36012

    Office

    $963.08

    Facility

    $159.81

    $97.80 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 36012

    Office

    $765.69

    Facility

    $138.53

    $99.59 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 36012

    Office

    $729.02

    Facility

    $160.12

    $136.26 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 36012

    Office

    $802.92

    Facility

    $148.26

    $62.36 lower than Merced for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

36012 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$703.31

$987.08

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$899.891
AL$715.141
AR$703.311
AZ$784.451
CA$865.28–$1,108.8829
CO$848.231
CT$866.781
DC$936.671
DE$798.701
FL$789.09–$867.573
GA$739.55–$823.582
GU$891.831
HI$891.831
IA$738.581
ID$743.521
IL$761.38–$843.274
IN$748.501
KS$733.391
KY$731.801
LA$730.00–$771.392
MA$841.61–$941.342
MD$815.83–$936.673
ME$746.60–$794.602
MI$752.39–$798.942
MN$813.251
MO$714.84–$776.023
MS$709.301
MT$808.261
NC$755.711
ND$796.001
NE$743.571
NH$833.321
NJ$876.83–$924.642
NM$756.581
NV$805.521
NY$768.48–$960.635
OH$749.881
OK$731.631
OR$799.46–$879.572
PA$751.95–$841.962
PR$815.401
RI$830.461
SC$754.021
SD$794.551
TN$737.441
TX$746.23–$845.228
UT$765.791
VA$790.77–$936.672
VI$815.401
VT$791.341
WA$840.53–$963.082
WI$765.691
WV$729.021
WY$802.921

Explore 36012 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Merced is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in California →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 36012 in Merced, the physician’s office rate is $865.28 and the facility-setting rate is $147.77: a difference of $717.51.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 36012 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$951.81

$865.28 × 110% = $951.81

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 36012 in Merced.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,435

Code
36012
Physician work
3.42
Practice expense
20.16
Malpractice
0.62

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 36012 in Merced
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.42× 1.0173.4781
Practice expense20.16× 1.09622.0954
Malpractice0.62× 0.5360.3323
Total RVUs25.9058
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$865.28

Open 36012 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work3.421.017
Practice expense20.161.096
Malpractice0.620.536

(3.42 × 1.017 + 20.16 × 1.096 + 0.62 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $865.28

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work3.421.017
Practice expense0.561.096
Malpractice0.620.536

(3.42 × 1.017 + 0.56 × 1.096 + 0.62 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $147.77

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

36012 · Office / nonfacility

$865.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $40.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $824.60 to $865.28 (4.9%).

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

    $824.60changed to$865.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.51 changed to 3.42
    • Practice expense RVU 19.76 changed to 20.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $824.60

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$865.28$147.77RVU26D
2026-07-01$865.28$147.77RVU26C
2026-04-01$865.28$147.77RVU26B
2026-01-01$865.28$147.77RVU26A
2025-10-01$824.60$162.41RVU25D
2025-07-01$824.60$162.41RVU25C
2025-04-01$824.60$162.41RVU25B
2025-01-01$824.60$162.41RVU25A

36012 billing questions

When is 36012 used instead of 36011?

Use 36012 when the catheter reaches a second-order or more distal venous branch. Use 36011 for placement in a first-order branch.

How does 36012 differ from 36010?

36010 describes catheter placement in the vena cava. 36012 represents selective advancement from a larger vein into a more distal venous branch.

What documentation supports 36012?

The operative or procedure report should identify the target branch and show that the catheter was advanced beyond a first-order branch. Adrenal vein sampling is one example of a service where this level of selectivity may be documented.

Can venography or sampling be reported with 36012?

36012 represents catheter placement, not the imaging, interpretation, or sampling itself. Report another service only when it is separately supported and permitted by applicable coding rules.

How does CMS handle modifier 50 and multiple procedures?

For a bilateral service reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 36012 at 150%. In a session with multiple procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 36012PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,435 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MercedGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet