2025 CPT code 36901
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Cardiovascular System - Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins Surgery Feed
Diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all necessary punctures, catheter placements, contrast injections, and imaging from the arterial anastomosis through the entire venous outflow.
Modifiers may be used as appropriate to describe circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 52 for reduced services).
Medical necessity for 36901 is established when there is a clinical indication to assess the patency and flow dynamics of a dialysis access. This includes evaluation of decreased flow rate, suspected stenosis, occlusion, or other complications that might affect dialysis treatment.
The physician is responsible for prepping the patient, performing the procedure under fluoroscopic guidance, interpreting the images, and preparing the report.This includes needle and/or catheter insertion, contrast injection, image acquisition, and post-procedure care.
In simple words: This code covers a test where a doctor inserts a thin tube into a dialysis access point to take X-ray pictures of the blood vessels used for dialysis. This helps check for blockages or problems with blood flow.
This CPT code encompasses the introduction of needles and/or catheters into a dialysis circuit for diagnostic angiography.The procedure includes all direct punctures and catheter placements, injection(s) of contrast material, and imaging of the entire dialysis circuit, from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through the entire venous outflow, encompassing the inferior or superior vena cava.Fluoroscopic guidance, radiological supervision and interpretation, and image documentation and reporting are all included.This code does not include subsequent therapeutic interventions in the peripheral segment during the same session.It may be reported with codes 36907-36908 for diagnostic imaging in conjunction with procedures in the central segment.
Example 1: A patient presents with decreased dialysis access flow rate.A dialysis circuit angiogram (36901) is performed to assess patency and identify stenosis or occlusion., A patient with a newly created arteriovenous fistula (AVF) requires assessment of the patency of the fistula. A dialysis circuit angiogram (36901) is performed prior to initiating dialysis., A patient experiences a sudden decrease in dialysis flow rate during a hemodialysis session. A dialysis circuit angiogram (36901) is performed to diagnose the cause of the decreased flow.
* Detailed history and physical examination notes.* Pre-procedure assessment including patient's clinical status and dialysis access parameters.* Images obtained during the procedure.* Fluoroscopic guidance documentation.* Radiological supervision and interpretation report.* Post-procedure assessment of the patient's clinical status.
** Ultrasound guidance for puncture is not typically included but may be reported separately with 76937 if performed and documented appropriately.Angioplasty and stent placement in the peripheral segment are not included and are reported with separate codes (36902, 36903).
- Revenue Code: P9A (Dialysis Services)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text. Refer to CMS guidelines for current RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a diagnostic procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided text. Refer to historical fee schedules from relevant payers.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center