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CPT 36565: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement
CPT code 36565 describes the percutaneous insertion of a tunneled central venous access device whose tip terminates in a central vein or the right atrium. This procedure is commonly used for long-term intravenous therapy, chemotherapy, hemodialysis access bridging, and frequent blood draws. Nationally, tunneled central line placement is a high-volume, high-clinical-impact service that affects inpatient and outpatient surgical workflows, radiology departments, and vascular access programs.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical intent and typical settings, plus coverage and billing context for major commercial and public payers. The publication also summarizes common modifiers associated with procedural reporting, typical sites of service, and the clinical scenarios that drive use of tunneled central venous catheters.
This report is useful for coding and billing professionals, practice administrators, and clinicians who need clear, national-level information about when CPT code 36565 applies, how it is documented in procedure notes, and the operational settings where the procedure is delivered. Data not available in the input.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 36565 describes placement of a central venous access device/catheter with tunneling under the skin between the vein entry and the external access site. The device’s tip must terminate in a central vein such as the brachiocephalic (innominate) or iliac vein, subclavian vein, the superior or inferior vena cava, or the right atrium.
Service type: Insertion of a tunneled central venous catheter
Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical suite, ambulatory surgical center, or interventional radiology suite, where sterile technique and imaging guidance are available for central venous access and subcutaneous tunneling.