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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInsertion of Central Venous Access DeviceCPT cpt-36572-pediatric-arm-central-venous-catheter-placement
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    CPT 36572: Image-Guided Arm Central Venous Catheter Placement, <5 Years

    Medicare pays $380 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 36572 describes placement of a catheter through the basilic or cephalic vein in the arm into a central vein or the right atrium under imaging guidance in a patient younger than five years of age; this is an image-guided central venous catheter insertion procedure (vascular access) typically performed in an interventional radiology suite, operating room, or other procedural setting that provides radiologic imaging and monitoring.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 2-year-old child with chronic medical needs requiring reliable central venous access for long-term intravenous therapy (for example, total parenteral nutrition, long-term antibiotics, or chemotherapy). The child is brought to an interventional radiology or pediatric surgery suite. After pre-procedure evaluation and informed consent, the patient is sedated or under general anesthesia per pediatric anesthesia protocols. Under ultrasound and fluoroscopic imaging guidance, the clinician accesses a peripheral upper-arm vein (basilic or cephalic), advances a central venous catheter into a central vein (such as the innominate vein, superior vena cava) or directly into the right atrium, confirms position with fluoroscopy, and secures the external catheter without implanting a subcutaneous port or pump. Image documentation and radiological supervision/interpretation are performed during the procedure. Typical site of service is an outpatient or inpatient operating room, interventional radiology suite, or pediatric procedure room. Common pre- and post-procedure workflow steps include pre-anesthesia assessment, sterile preparation of the arm, ultrasound-guided venous puncture, fluoroscopic catheter advancement and confirmation, dressing and securement of the catheter, recovery monitoring, and discharge instructions or inpatient handoff.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36556Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or olderAlternative central venous access technique typically used in older children or adults; may be considered when upper-arm approach is not feasible
    36561Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, with subcutaneous tunneling and cuff, age 5 years or olderTunneled catheter option for long-term access; differs by tunneling and cuff placement versus 36572 which is for arm approach in younger children
    36558Insertion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), age 5 years or olderRelated peripheral-to-central catheter placement technique; 36572 is a pediatric-specific arm-vein to central vein catheterization without port
    36215Selective catheterization, vessel of upper extremity and/or shoulder; radiological supervision and interpretationDiagnostic or therapeutic catheterization that may be performed in the same interventional radiology session for venography or vessel mapping prior to placement
    76937Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring imaging supervision and interpretationOften reported when ultrasound guidance is separately documented and payer allows separate reporting alongside fluoroscopic-guided central venous access
    77012Fluoroscopic guidance for central venous access (radiological supervision and interpretation)Fluoroscopic imaging guidance is included in 36572, but 77012 may be listed by some payers when additional fluoroscopic supervision/interpretation is separately documented

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    170100000XPh.D. Medical GeneticsA medical geneticist works in association with a medical specialist, is affiliated with a clinical genetics program, and serves as a consultant to med…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    2086S0122XPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery PhysicianA surgeon who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    261QM0855XAdolescent and Children Mental Health Clinic/CenterAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic, treatment, and prescriptive services related to mental and behavioral disord…
    282E00000XLong Term Care HospitalLong-term care hospitals (LTCHs) furnish extended medical and rehabilitative care to individuals who are clinically complex and have multiple acute or…
    207KI0005XClinical & Laboratory Immunology (Allergy & Immunology) PhysicianAn allergy and immunology physician who specializes in clinical and laboratory immunology disease management..

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-36555-PEDIATRIC-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS-CATHETER-INSERTION

    CPT 36555: Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion, Child

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

    CPT 36556: Central Venous Access Catheter Insertion, Age ≥5

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

    CPT 36557: Central Venous Catheter Placement, Pediatric

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

    CPT 36558: Non-tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement, Age ≥5

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

    CPT 36560: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement

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

    CPT 36561: Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Placement

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

    CPT 36563: Tunneled Central Venous Access Device Placement

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

    CPT 36565: Tunneled Central Venous Access Device 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: Upper-Extremity Central Venous Catheter Placement in Young Child

    Showing 1–10 of 14

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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