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CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

CPT code 36569 covers placement of a central venous catheter through an upper-extremity vein in patients aged 5 years and older, with the catheter advanced into a major central vein or the right atrium, excluding insertion of a subcutaneous port or pump. This procedure is a common vascular access technique for short- to intermediate-term central venous access for therapies such as intravenous medications, fluids, or central venous pressure monitoring. Nationally, accurate coding of this service affects hospital and ambulatory revenue cycles, quality measurement, and care coordination for patients requiring central access.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service where it is provided, and what to expect in payer coverage and billing practice. The publication summarizes benchmark considerations, relevant billing modifiers (listed separately), and operational notes for claims submission. It also highlights coding nuances that influence reimbursement and documentation requirements. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 36569 describes placement of a central venous catheter through a vein in the upper extremity of a patient aged 5 years or older, with the catheter advanced into a major vein that returns blood to the heart or directly into the right atrium. The procedure explicitly excludes placement of a subcutaneous port or pump.

Service Type: Central venous catheter placement (non-tunneled, upper extremity)

Typical Site of Service: Hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, or ambulatory surgical center

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CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 36569 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Central venous catheter placement (non-tunneled, upper extremity)

Typical Site of Service: Hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, or ambulatory surgical center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adolescent or adult (age ≥5 years) requiring long-term or intermittent central venous access for administration of chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, long-term antibiotics, or frequent blood draws. The procedure is performed in an interventional radiology suite, operating room, or procedure room in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or inpatient hospital. The provider obtains informed consent, reviews coagulation status and allergies, performs ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access in the upper extremity (commonly basilic, cephalic, or brachial vein), advances a catheter centrally under fluoroscopic guidance into a major central vein (subclavian, brachiocephalic) or directly into the right atrium, secures the external catheter, and verifies tip position with fluoroscopy or chest radiograph. Typical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation, venous ultrasound and sterile preparation, local anesthesia or sedation, catheter insertion and tunneling if indicated, securement and dressing, and post-procedure monitoring for bleeding or pneumothorax. Documentation includes indication, site, laterality, imaging guidance, catheter type and length, confirmation of tip position, estimated blood loss, sedation/analgesia, and discharge instructions.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the physician’s professional interpretation/management portion when the facility bills separately for technical services
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when catheters are placed in both upper extremities during the same session and payer requires bilateral modifier
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when this catheter placement is billed on the same day with other distinct procedures and payer requires multiple-procedure modifier
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is performed but is substantially reduced or incomplete
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure when another service on the same day might be bundled
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons with different specialties share primary responsibility during a complex insertion
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Not typically applicable for age ≥5 but included for completeness; do not apply for this code’s age range
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician repeats the procedure within the global period for clinical reasons
`78`	Unplanned return to operating/procedure room	Use when patient returns for the same or related procedure due to a complication during the global period
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use if an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist service	Use when advanced practice clinicians perform or assist and payer recognizes this modifier
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate left upper extremity access when laterality is required by the payer
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate right upper extremity access when laterality is required by the payer

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208D00000X	Vascular Surgery	Commonly performs central venous catheter placement when surgical access or tunneling is required
207P00000X	Interventional Radiology	Frequently places upper-extremity central venous catheters using image guidance
207L00000X	Emergency Medicine	May place emergent central access in ED when interventional teams are not available
207K00000X	Cardiology	May place or manage long-term catheters for cardiac device or infusion needs
163W00000X	Anesthesiology	Provides sedation/analgesia and airway management during the procedure when needed

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I80.219`	Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of unspecified deep vessels of right upper extremity	Thrombosed peripheral veins may necessitate alternative upper-extremity central access sites or influence catheter selection
`I82.401`	Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified vein of right upper extremity	Acute venous thrombosis can be an indication to avoid certain veins and to place central access under imaging guidance
`Z45.2`	Encounter for adjustment and management of vascular access device	Used for follow-up or management encounters related to central venous catheter functionality and troubleshooting
`T80.21XA`	Infection due to central venous catheter, initial encounter	Relevant as a potential complication prompting removal and replacement of central access
`Z79.2`	Long-term (current) use of antibiotics	Common clinical context where long-term IV access is needed and central catheter placement is indicated
`Z79.01`	Long-term (current) use of anticoagulants	Patients on anticoagulation may still require central access; documentation of coagulation management is important
`C80.1`	Malignant (primary) neoplasm, unspecified site	Patients receiving chemotherapy for malignancy commonly require central venous access for infusion
`K72.90`	Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma	Patients with liver failure may require TPN delivered via central access; catheter placement is part of nutritional support

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36556`	Placement of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Alternative when tunneling is required; often used for longer-term tunneled external catheters
`36561`	Central venous catheter placement, without subcutaneous port, through subclavian vein; age 5 years or older	Related central access technique via subclavian approach rather than upper extremity peripheral-to-central advancement
`36555`	Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or older	Used for short-term non-tunneled central lines often placed emergently or at bedside
`36568`	Replacement, complete, of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Performed when an existing tunneled catheter requires exchange or replacement
`75936`	Venography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation	Performed when venography is required for venous mapping or to evaluate occlusion prior to catheter placement
`36593`	Injection procedure for venous angiography, other than peripheral venous, radiological supervision and interpretation	Used when contrast injection and imaging are performed as part of access planning or complication evaluation

CPT 36555: Pediatric Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion

CPT-36556-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-CATHETER-INSERTION-AGE-5-PLUS

CPT 36556: Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion, Age 5 and Older

CPT-36557-PEDIATRIC-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT

CPT 36557: Pediatric Central Venous Catheter Placement

CPT-36558-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT-RIGHT-ATRIAL-OR-MAJOR-VEIN

CPT 36558: Central Venous Catheter Placement for Medication/Nutrition

CPT-36560-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36560: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Insertion

CPT-36561-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-CATHETER-TUNNELED

CPT 36561: Tunneled Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion

CPT-36563-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-DEVICE-TUNNELED-INSERTION

CPT 36563: Tunneled Central Venous Access Device Insertion

CPT-36565-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT

CPT 36565: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement

CPT-36566-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36566: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Insertion

CPT-36568-PEDIATRIC-UPPER-EXTREMITY-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36568: Pediatric Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Insertion

Showing 1–10 of 14

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the physician’s professional interpretation/management portion when the facility bills separately for technical services
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when catheters are placed in both upper extremities during the same session and payer requires bilateral modifier
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when this catheter placement is billed on the same day with other distinct procedures and payer requires multiple-procedure modifier
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is performed but is substantially reduced or incomplete
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure when another service on the same day might be bundled
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons with different specialties share primary responsibility during a complex insertion
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Not typically applicable for age ≥5 but included for completeness; do not apply for this code’s age range
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician repeats the procedure within the global period for clinical reasons
`78`	Unplanned return to operating/procedure room	Use when patient returns for the same or related procedure due to a complication during the global period
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use if an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist service	Use when advanced practice clinicians perform or assist and payer recognizes this modifier
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate left upper extremity access when laterality is required by the payer
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate right upper extremity access when laterality is required by the payer

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208D00000X	Vascular Surgery	Commonly performs central venous catheter placement when surgical access or tunneling is required
207P00000X	Interventional Radiology	Frequently places upper-extremity central venous catheters using image guidance
207L00000X	Emergency Medicine	May place emergent central access in ED when interventional teams are not available
207K00000X	Cardiology	May place or manage long-term catheters for cardiac device or infusion needs
163W00000X	Anesthesiology	Provides sedation/analgesia and airway management during the procedure when needed

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I80.219`	Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of unspecified deep vessels of right upper extremity	Thrombosed peripheral veins may necessitate alternative upper-extremity central access sites or influence catheter selection
`I82.401`	Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified vein of right upper extremity	Acute venous thrombosis can be an indication to avoid certain veins and to place central access under imaging guidance
`Z45.2`	Encounter for adjustment and management of vascular access device	Used for follow-up or management encounters related to central venous catheter functionality and troubleshooting
`T80.21XA`	Infection due to central venous catheter, initial encounter	Relevant as a potential complication prompting removal and replacement of central access
`Z79.2`	Long-term (current) use of antibiotics	Common clinical context where long-term IV access is needed and central catheter placement is indicated
`Z79.01`	Long-term (current) use of anticoagulants	Patients on anticoagulation may still require central access; documentation of coagulation management is important
`C80.1`	Malignant (primary) neoplasm, unspecified site	Patients receiving chemotherapy for malignancy commonly require central venous access for infusion
`K72.90`	Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma	Patients with liver failure may require TPN delivered via central access; catheter placement is part of nutritional support

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36556`	Placement of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Alternative when tunneling is required; often used for longer-term tunneled external catheters
`36561`	Central venous catheter placement, without subcutaneous port, through subclavian vein; age 5 years or older	Related central access technique via subclavian approach rather than upper extremity peripheral-to-central advancement
`36555`	Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or older	Used for short-term non-tunneled central lines often placed emergently or at bedside
`36568`	Replacement, complete, of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Performed when an existing tunneled catheter requires exchange or replacement
`75936`	Venography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation	Performed when venography is required for venous mapping or to evaluate occlusion prior to catheter placement
`36593`	Injection procedure for venous angiography, other than peripheral venous, radiological supervision and interpretation	Used when contrast injection and imaging are performed as part of access planning or complication evaluation

CPT 36555: Pediatric Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion

CPT-36556-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-CATHETER-INSERTION-AGE-5-PLUS

CPT 36556: Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion, Age 5 and Older

CPT-36557-PEDIATRIC-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT

CPT 36557: Pediatric Central Venous Catheter Placement

CPT-36558-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT-RIGHT-ATRIAL-OR-MAJOR-VEIN

CPT 36558: Central Venous Catheter Placement for Medication/Nutrition

CPT-36560-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36560: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Insertion

CPT-36561-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-CATHETER-TUNNELED

CPT 36561: Tunneled Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion

CPT-36563-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-DEVICE-TUNNELED-INSERTION

CPT 36563: Tunneled Central Venous Access Device Insertion

CPT-36565-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-PLACEMENT

CPT 36565: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement

CPT-36566-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36566: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Insertion

CPT-36568-PEDIATRIC-UPPER-EXTREMITY-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER-INSERTION

CPT 36568: Pediatric Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Insertion

Showing 1–10 of 14

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

Sign up for cpt 36569 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 36569: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement

Sign up for cpt 36569 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical service does CPT 36569 represent?

Which billing modifiers are relevant when reporting CPT 36569?

How does CPT 36569 relate to other central venous catheter placement codes?

What key documentation elements are expected when billing CPT 36569?

Where is CPT 36569 typically performed and which specialties and payers are commonly involved?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical service does CPT 36569 represent?

Which billing modifiers are relevant when reporting CPT 36569?

How does CPT 36569 relate to other central venous catheter placement codes?

What key documentation elements are expected when billing CPT 36569?

Where is CPT 36569 typically performed and which specialties and payers are commonly involved?

References