2025 CPT code 36500
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Venous Procedures Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Feed
Venous catheterization for selective organ blood sampling.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., -51 for multiple procedures, -59 for distinct procedural service, -78/79 for unplanned return to the OR). Consult the CPT manual and payer guidelines.
The medical necessity for 36500 is established when selective organ blood sampling is needed to diagnose or manage a specific clinical condition.This need must be clearly documented, demonstrating the insufficiency of alternative, less invasive methods of obtaining blood samples.
The physician is responsible for cleaning the insertion site, potentially administering local anesthesia, creating a small incision (if necessary), inserting the guidewire and catheter, advancing the catheter to the target organ under imaging guidance, and collecting the blood sample. Post-procedure care related to the catheterization is also the physician's responsibility.
- Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System
- Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System > Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins > Vascular Introduction and Injection Procedures > Venous Procedures > Venous Catheterization, Therapeutic Apheresis and Photopheresis Procedures
In simple words: The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into a vein to reach a specific organ and take a blood sample from that organ's blood vessels. This might involve using imaging like X-rays to guide the tube.
This CPT code encompasses the insertion of a catheter into a vein to selectively access the blood supply of a specific organ for the purpose of obtaining a blood sample.The procedure includes the introduction of the catheter, its advancement to the target organ, and the collection of the blood sample.Imaging guidance (fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or X-ray) may be used.
Example 1: A patient presents with suspected liver disease. The physician performs a selective hepatic vein catheterization (36500) to obtain a blood sample for liver function tests., A patient with suspected renal dysfunction undergoes a selective renal vein catheterization (36500) to assess renal vein pressure and collect blood for laboratory analysis., In a patient with suspected adrenal insufficiency, the physician performs a selective adrenal vein catheterization (36500) to measure hormone levels and assess adrenal function.
Detailed medical history indicating the need for selective organ blood sampling.Documentation of the specific organ targeted for catheterization.Records of the technique used (including imaging guidance), the catheter size and type used.Results of the blood sampling (with specific laboratory tests performed).Post-procedure notes addressing any complications or adverse events.
** Specific organ targeted for catheterization should be documented. The use of imaging guidance should also be documented.This code does not include the interpretation of any imaging studies.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- RVU: Data not available in source. Refer to CMS fee schedules for current RVUs.
- Global Days: Data not available in source.The global period will depend on the specific circumstances and may need to be determined based on payer guidelines and local practices.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule: Data not available in sources. Refer to historical CMS fee schedules.
- Specialties:Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Nephrology, Hepatology, Endocrinology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center