Headline: CPT code 36560 covers tunneled central venous catheter insertion, a commonly used vascular access procedure for long-term infusion, dialysis adjuncts, and recurrent blood draws. Lead: CPT code 36560 defines the placement of a tunneled central venous access catheter whose tip terminates in central veins or the right atrium; the tunneling technique reduces infection risk and secures the device for extended use.

CPT code 36560 represents a clinically important procedure used across hospitals and interventional suites for patients requiring reliable central venous access for chemotherapy, long-term parenteral nutrition, frequent transfusions or complex medication delivery. Nationally, this code matters because it is tied to facility and physician billing, utilization monitoring, and infection-prevention quality metrics.

Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Readers will find a concise description of the service captured by the code, typical sites of service, and the clinical context for use. The publication provides benchmarks and payment-relevant insights where available, highlights policy updates affecting coverage and coding practice, and clarifies how CPT code 36560 fits within vascular access service lines. Data not available in the input will be noted explicitly in relevant sections.