36625 Insertion catheter artery
Also known as: arterial cutdown, surgical arterial line, arterial cutdown cannulation
Arterial catheterization or cannulation; cutdown technique.
In Plain Language
surgically accessing an artery for a monitoring catheter
Clinical Context
Used when percutaneous approach unsuccessful or artery too small. Requires surgical exposure of vessel.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.06 |
| Total RVU | 2.06 |
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 2.06, this code ranks in the 14th percentile among Surgery codes — 3.9x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36625?
CPT 36625 (Insertion catheter artery) is a Surgery code. Arterial catheterization or cannulation; cutdown technique.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36625?
The work RVU for CPT 36625 is 2.06. This code is primarily used by Surgery, Critical Care, Anesthesia.
When is CPT 36625 used?
Used when percutaneous approach unsuccessful or artery too small. Requires surgical exposure of vessel.
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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.