Billing code 36252: Renal angiographyMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Reports selective catheterization and angiographic evaluation of the first-order renal arteries on both sides, including associated imaging interpretation and flush aortography when performed.
Medicare pays $1,324.40–$1,453.51 for 36252 in the office in Oregon, from Rest Of Oregon to Portland. 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 36252 covers
This code describes diagnostic angiography requiring selective catheterization of the first-order renal arteries on both sides. It is commonly performed in an angiography suite or hospital procedure room by an interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, or other physician performing renal vascular imaging to assess suspected stenosis or other renal arterial disease. The service includes the associated renal angiographic imaging and interpretation, as well as flush aortography when performed.
Choose this code when the documented work meets the bilateral, first-order renal artery level; catheterization of more distal or additional renal branches may call for a different code in the family. The report should support bilateral selective catheter positions and the angiographic study performed. The code packages the related catheter placement and imaging interpretation, so do not separately report those same components. It has a 0-day global period, with same-day preoperative and postoperative care included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard reduction. The code is already priced bilaterally, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 36252 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | $1,453.51 | $305.01 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $1,324.40 | $294.78 |
How the 36252 rate is calculated
Each of 36252’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 · 36252
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 6.57Practice expense 32.17Malpractice 1.48
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 36252
The CMS indicators that decide how 36252 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 36252
Renal angiography
| 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) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| 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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
36252 without 51 · national office
$1,343.38
Renal angiography
36252-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$671.69
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
36252 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
36252 vs 36251 vs 36253 vs 36254 vs 36245: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 36251Renal angiography
- Use 36251 for the corresponding first-order renal angiographic service on one side; 36252 is the bilateral code.
- 36253Renal angiography
- 36253 describes unilateral catheterization at the second-order level or beyond, rather than bilateral first-order work.
- 36254Renal catheterization
- 36254 applies to bilateral second-order-or-beyond renal catheterization; 36252 is for the first-order level.
- 36245Selective catheterization
- 36245 describes first-order abdominal or lower-extremity arterial catheter placement, not the bilateral renal angiographic service represented by 36252.
36252 billing questions
When should I choose 36252 instead of 36251?
Use 36252 for the qualifying first-order renal angiographic service performed bilaterally. Code 36251 describes the unilateral service.
Does 36252 include the angiographic imaging and interpretation?
Yes. The code includes the associated renal angiography and radiological supervision and interpretation, with flush aortography when performed; do not separately report those same components.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
The code is already priced for bilateral work. Modifier 50 does not increase payment.
How is 36252 distinguished from 36254?
36252 represents bilateral first-order renal artery catheterization. 36254 is for bilateral catheterization at the second-order level or beyond.
What documentation supports reporting 36252?
Document selective catheter placement in both first-order renal arteries and the angiographic imaging performed, including any flush aortography.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this service?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this code. 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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