CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

Medicare pays $891 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 36582 describes a complete replacement of a tunneled central venous access (CVA) catheter performed when the existing tunneled catheter is blocked, damaged, or malfunctioning; the service is a surgical catheter replacement procedure typically performed in an operating room, procedure suite, or interventional radiology setting and is categorized as an invasive vascular access service involving removal of the existing tunneled catheter and insertion of a new tunneled catheter under sterile technique.

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CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

Medicare pays $891 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 36582 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 36582 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult receiving long-term tunneled central venous access for hemodialysis, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, or long-term antibiotics who presents with catheter malfunction such as persistent occlusion, extraluminal damage, or confirmed catheter fracture. The patient often reports inability to aspirate blood, recurrent alarms on dialysis machines, swelling at the exit site, or signs of infection. Initial evaluation includes physical exam, assessment of catheter function, chest radiograph to confirm catheter tip position and integrity, and attempts at non-surgical salvage (thrombolytic instillation, guidewire exchange) when clinically appropriate. When the catheter is irreversibly blocked, damaged, or malfunctioning and cannot be salvaged by over-the-wire exchange or thrombolysis, the treatment plan proceeds to a complete tunneled central venous access catheter replacement under sterile conditions.

The procedure is typically performed in an interventional radiology suite, operating room, or specialized procedure room. The workflow includes informed consent, appropriate pre-procedure labs (coagulation profile), ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance for venous access and catheter placement, removal of the malfunctioning tunneled catheter, placement of a new tunneled catheter tunneled subcutaneously to a new or existing exit site, and confirmation of catheter tip position by fluoroscopy or radiograph. Post-procedure monitoring includes assessment for bleeding, pneumothorax, catheter function testing (aspiration and flush), and documentation of device serial/lot information for billing and inventory. Documentation should capture reason for replacement (blockage, damage, malfunction), prior attempts at salvage, laterality, approach, and any complications.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36561`	Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Often billed when initial placement of a tunneled catheter is performed instead of replacement; prelude or alternative to complete replacement
`36556`	Exchange of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, over a guidewire, age 5 years or older	Used when catheter lumen is exchanged over a guidewire without complete removal and re-tunneling; a less extensive alternative to `36582`
`36584`	Removal, tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump	Billed when the catheter is removed and not immediately replaced; may be used if removal precedes delayed replacement
`36583`	Repair of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump	Used when local repair of a damaged catheter is possible rather than full replacement; documents lesser intervention
`76937`	Ultrasonic guidance for vascular access requiring image documentation with permanent recording	Often performed during access and placement to guide venous puncture and should be reported when ultrasound guidance is used with documentation
`77002`	Fluoroscopic guidance for central venous catheter placement (radiological supervision and interpretation)	Fluoroscopy guidance and imaging interpretation commonly accompany tunneled catheter replacement and may be billed when separate reporting criteria are met

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
363A00000X	Physician Assistant	A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
3418M1130X	Military or U.S. Coast Guard Water Transport Ambulance	Vehicle and staff for patient emergency or non-emergency sea/water transport
183700000X	Pharmacy Technician	A person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions that do not require the professi…
2083P0500X	Preventive Medicine/Occupational Environmental Medicine Physician	A preventive medicine physician who specializes in preventive medicine/occupational-environmental medicine, which is focused on protecting the populat…
261QC0050X	Critical Access Hospital Clinic/Center	An outpatient entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility within or affiliated with a Critical Access Hospital that provides access to primary ca…
152WS0006X	Sports Vision Optometrist	An optometrist who offers services designed to care for unique vision care needs of athletes, which may include one of more of the following services:…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Dialysis/Renal Replacement1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider Requirements	Mississippi Division of Medicaid	2026-08-01
Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition	Centene	2026-05-01
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysis	priority health	2026-02-01
Home Hemodialysis (HHD) — Coverage Criteria	UnitedHealthcare	2026-01-01
Dialysis services (acute and chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)	UnitedHealthcare	2026-01-01
Home Hemodialysis (HHD) Coverage Criteria	sierra health and life	2026-01-01
Staff-Assisted Home Hemodialysis	Cigna	2025-11-15
DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin catheter lock) Coverage	Mass General Brigham Health Plan	2025-09-01
Medical Necessity Guidelines — DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin) catheter lock	Mass General Brigham Health Plan	2025-09-01
Home Hemodialysis (for Idaho Only)	UnitedHealthcare	2025-08-01

CPT 36580: Replacement of Non-Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36581-REPLACEMENT-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER

CPT 36581: Complete Replacement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36583-TUNNELED-CVA-CATHETER-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT

CPT 36583: Complete Replacement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36584-PICC-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-INFECTION-MALFUNCTION

CPT 36584: PICC Replacement for Infection or Malfunction

CPT-36585-PICC-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-FOR-INFECTION-OR-MALFUNCTION

CPT 36585: PICC Replacement for Infection or Malfunction

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

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36561`	Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Often billed when initial placement of a tunneled catheter is performed instead of replacement; prelude or alternative to complete replacement
`36556`	Exchange of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, over a guidewire, age 5 years or older	Used when catheter lumen is exchanged over a guidewire without complete removal and re-tunneling; a less extensive alternative to `36582`
`36584`	Removal, tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump	Billed when the catheter is removed and not immediately replaced; may be used if removal precedes delayed replacement
`36583`	Repair of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump	Used when local repair of a damaged catheter is possible rather than full replacement; documents lesser intervention
`76937`	Ultrasonic guidance for vascular access requiring image documentation with permanent recording	Often performed during access and placement to guide venous puncture and should be reported when ultrasound guidance is used with documentation
`77002`	Fluoroscopic guidance for central venous catheter placement (radiological supervision and interpretation)	Fluoroscopy guidance and imaging interpretation commonly accompany tunneled catheter replacement and may be billed when separate reporting criteria are met

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
363A00000X	Physician Assistant	A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
3418M1130X	Military or U.S. Coast Guard Water Transport Ambulance	Vehicle and staff for patient emergency or non-emergency sea/water transport
183700000X	Pharmacy Technician	A person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions that do not require the professi…
2083P0500X	Preventive Medicine/Occupational Environmental Medicine Physician	A preventive medicine physician who specializes in preventive medicine/occupational-environmental medicine, which is focused on protecting the populat…
261QC0050X	Critical Access Hospital Clinic/Center	An outpatient entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility within or affiliated with a Critical Access Hospital that provides access to primary ca…
152WS0006X	Sports Vision Optometrist	An optometrist who offers services designed to care for unique vision care needs of athletes, which may include one of more of the following services:…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Dialysis/Renal Replacement1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider Requirements	Mississippi Division of Medicaid	2026-08-01
Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition	Centene	2026-05-01
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysis	priority health	2026-02-01
Home Hemodialysis (HHD) — Coverage Criteria	UnitedHealthcare	2026-01-01
Dialysis services (acute and chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)	UnitedHealthcare	2026-01-01
Home Hemodialysis (HHD) Coverage Criteria	sierra health and life	2026-01-01
Staff-Assisted Home Hemodialysis	Cigna	2025-11-15
DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin catheter lock) Coverage	Mass General Brigham Health Plan	2025-09-01
Medical Necessity Guidelines — DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin) catheter lock	Mass General Brigham Health Plan	2025-09-01
Home Hemodialysis (for Idaho Only)	UnitedHealthcare	2025-08-01

CPT 36580: Replacement of Non-Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36581-REPLACEMENT-TUNNELED-CENTRAL-VENOUS-CATHETER

CPT 36581: Complete Replacement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36583-TUNNELED-CVA-CATHETER-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT

CPT 36583: Complete Replacement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

CPT-36584-PICC-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-INFECTION-MALFUNCTION

CPT 36584: PICC Replacement for Infection or Malfunction

CPT-36585-PICC-COMPLETE-REPLACEMENT-FOR-INFECTION-OR-MALFUNCTION

CPT 36585: PICC Replacement for Infection or Malfunction

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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CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

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CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

Sign up for cpt 36582 policy alerts

CPT 36582: Tunneled CVA Catheter Complete Replacement

Sign up for cpt 36582 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

When is CPT 36582 appropriate to report?

Which CPT codes are commonly reported alongside or instead of 36582?

What documentation elements are important to support billing for 36582?

Which diagnosis codes commonly support medical necessity for CPT 36582?

What is the typical clinical workflow and setting for a procedure billed with 36582?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

When is CPT 36582 appropriate to report?

Which CPT codes are commonly reported alongside or instead of 36582?

What documentation elements are important to support billing for 36582?

Which diagnosis codes commonly support medical necessity for CPT 36582?

What is the typical clinical workflow and setting for a procedure billed with 36582?

References