36015 Place catheter in artery
Also known as: femoral artery line, femoral catheter, FA-line
Percutaneous placement of arterial catheter via femoral artery approach for hemodynamic monitoring or catheterization. Femoral artery access.
In Plain Language
putting a tube in the groin artery; femoral artery access
Clinical Context
Used for cardiac catheterization, hemodynamic monitoring, or interventional procedures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.42 |
| Total RVU | 3.42 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 3.42, this code ranks in the 24th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36015?
CPT 36015 (Place catheter in artery) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of arterial catheter via femoral artery approach for hemodynamic monitoring or catheterization. Femoral artery access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36015?
The work RVU for CPT 36015 is 3.42. This code is primarily used by Cardiology, Critical Care.
When is CPT 36015 used?
Used for cardiac catheterization, hemodynamic monitoring, or interventional procedures.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.