36222 Place catheter carotid/inom artery
Also known as: carotid catheter, innominate catheterization, cerebral angiography
Percutaneous placement of catheter into carotid or innominate artery for selective angiography or intervention of cerebral circulation.
In Plain Language
putting a tube in the neck artery to the brain; carotid artery catheterization
Clinical Context
Used for carotid artery disease evaluation, cerebral angiography, or carotid intervention.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.15 |
| Total RVU | 5.15 |
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. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.15, this code ranks in the 35th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36222?
CPT 36222 (Place catheter carotid/inom artery) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of catheter into carotid or innominate artery for selective angiography or intervention of cerebral circulation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36222?
The work RVU for CPT 36222 is 5.15. This code is primarily used by Cardiology, Neurology.
When is CPT 36222 used?
Used for carotid artery disease evaluation, cerebral angiography, or carotid intervention.
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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.