2025 CPT code 36572
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Central Venous Access Procedures Surgery Feed
Insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in patients under 5, with imaging guidance, image documentation, and radiological supervision.
Modifiers may apply depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure.Refer to CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established when the patient requires intravenous access for long-term administration of medications or fluids, frequent blood draws, or parenteral nutrition, and other routes of administration are unsuitable.
The physician is responsible for patient selection, appropriate preparation and sedation, vein selection, local anesthesia administration, catheter insertion guided by imaging, guidewire manipulation, catheter advancement, confirmation of catheter placement (imaging or X-ray), securing the insertion site, wound care, and post-procedure monitoring.The radiologist may provide imaging guidance and interpretation, and these services might be separately billable.
In simple words: This code describes a procedure where a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a vein in a child's arm, guiding it to a large vein near the heart using imaging. This helps deliver medicine or fluids.The procedure includes all imaging and related services.
This CPT code, 36572, encompasses the insertion of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in patients younger than 5 years of age.The procedure includes all necessary imaging guidance (fluoroscopy, ultrasound, etc.), image documentation, and radiological supervision and interpretation required for the insertion.It specifically excludes the placement of a subcutaneous port or pump.The catheter is inserted via a peripheral vein (e.g., basilic or cephalic vein) and advanced to the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, or right atrium.
Example 1: A 2-year-old child requires long-term antibiotic administration for a severe infection.A PICC line is inserted using 36572 to facilitate intravenous drug delivery., A 4-year-old patient needs frequent blood draws for monitoring a serious illness.Insertion of a PICC line using 36572 provides easy venous access for repeat blood tests., A premature infant requires parenteral nutrition. A PICC line is inserted using 36572 to deliver nutritional support intravenously.
Complete medical history, including reasons for PICC line placement.Detailed description of the procedure, including vein accessed, catheter size, imaging modality used, fluoroscopy time, and catheter position verification (images).Documentation of patient's vital signs before, during, and after the procedure.Note of any complications, such as bleeding, infection, or thrombosis.Consent forms.
** Always confirm payer-specific coding and billing requirements before submitting claims.This code should only be used for patients under 5 years of age.For patients 5 years and older, use code 36573.Accurate documentation is critical for appropriate reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P6C (Medicare Fee Schedule: MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The technical component (TC) is included in the 36572 code.
- Specialties:Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Pediatric Cardiology, Neonatology, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center