Billing code 37766: Stab phlebectomyMedicare rate & RVUs in Ohio
Reports removal of varicose veins from one leg through 20 or more small incisions, typically to treat symptomatic superficial tributary veins.
Medicare pays $471.15 for 37766 in the office in Ohio (Ohio). 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.
On this page 9 sections
What 37766 covers
A surgeon removes superficial varicose vein segments through multiple small skin openings, typically using a hook to extract the veins. The service is performed on one leg and is commonly used for symptomatic varicose tributaries, such as bulging veins associated with leg aching or swelling. Vascular surgeons and other surgeons who treat venous disease may perform it in an office-based procedure room or a facility setting.
Select this code when the documented stab phlebectomy involves 20 or more incisions on the treated leg; the incision count distinguishes it from the lower-count service. The operative note should identify the leg, the phlebectomy technique, and the number of incisions. Medicare assigns a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.
37766 in Ohio
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $471.15 | $296.72 |
How the 37766 rate is calculated
Each of 37766’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 · 37766
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 5.85Practice expense 7.53Malpractice 1.37
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 37766
37766 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 37766
Stab phlebectomy
| 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 37766
Stab phlebectomy
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
37766 without 50 · national office
$492.66
Stab phlebectomy
37766-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$738.99
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).
37766 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
37766 vs 37765 vs 37785 vs 37722: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 37765Stab phlebectomy
- Both are stab phlebectomy services for one leg. Choose 37766 when the documented procedure involves 20 or more incisions; 37765 represents the lower-count range.
- 37785Varicose vein surgery
- This code is selected by the incision count for stab phlebectomy. Code 37785 describes ligation, division, or excision of varicose vein clusters rather than the 20-or-more-incision service.
- 37722Vein stripping
- Code 37722 is for ligation and stripping of the long saphenous vein. Choose 37766 for stab removal of superficial varicose veins when the incision count reaches 20 or more.
37766 billing questions
How does this differ from 37765?
Both describe stab phlebectomy on one leg. Use 37766 for 20 or more incisions; 37765 is the lower-count service.
What should the operative note document?
Document the treated leg, the stab-phlebectomy technique, and the number of incisions. The count supports choosing this code rather than 37765.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
For treatment of both legs, report modifier 50 under the CMS bilateral rule; payment is at 150%.
Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in this procedure's payment.
Can an assistant surgeon be paid for this procedure?
CMS applies a statutory restriction, so assistant-at-surgery payment is not made for this code. Co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation.
How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect it?
When other procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction.
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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