36218 Place catheter in artery
Also known as: additional selective catheterization, catheter placement add-on, additional vessel access
Percutaneous placement of catheter into artery for additional selective catheterization as add-on procedure. Used for additional vessel access.
In Plain Language
putting an additional catheter in for more imaging; extra catheter placement
Clinical Context
Used when multiple separate arterial systems require selective catheterization.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.98 |
| Total RVU | 0.98 |
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 0.98, this code ranks in the 4th percentile among Surgery codes — 8.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36218?
CPT 36218 (Place catheter in artery) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of catheter into artery for additional selective catheterization as add-on procedure. Used for additional vessel access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36218?
The work RVU for CPT 36218 is 0.98. This code is primarily used by Radiology, Interventional Radiology.
When is CPT 36218 used?
Used when multiple separate arterial systems require selective catheterization.
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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.