36620 Insertion catheter artery
Also known as: arterial line insertion, radial line, femoral line, arterial cannula, arterial line, A-line placement, radial art line
Arterial catheterization or cannulation; percutaneous.
In Plain Language
placing a tube in an artery; arterial catheter insertion
Clinical Context
Used for continuous arterial pressure monitoring and frequent blood gas sampling. Common sites include radial, femoral, and axillary arteries.
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. 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 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 36620?
CPT 36620 (Insertion catheter artery) is a Surgery code. Arterial catheterization or cannulation; percutaneous.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36620?
The work RVU for CPT 36620 is 0.98. This code is primarily used by Critical Care, Anesthesia, Surgery.
When is CPT 36620 used?
Used for continuous arterial pressure monitoring and frequent blood gas sampling. Common sites include radial, femoral, and axillary arteries.
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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.