36660 Insertion catheter artery
Also known as: arterial line, percutaneous arterial access, single arterial stick
Arterial catheterization or cannulation; percutaneous, single access.
In Plain Language
placing an arterial catheter with one puncture
Clinical Context
Used for arterial access in emergency and critical care settings requiring continuous pressure monitoring or frequent blood sampling.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.37 |
| Total RVU | 1.37 |
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 1.37, this code ranks in the 8th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36660?
CPT 36660 (Insertion catheter artery) is a Surgery code. Arterial catheterization or cannulation; percutaneous, single access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36660?
The work RVU for CPT 36660 is 1.37. This code is primarily used by Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia.
When is CPT 36660 used?
Used for arterial access in emergency and critical care settings requiring continuous pressure monitoring or frequent blood sampling.
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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.