CPT code 36625 covers arterial catheterization performed through a skin incision to place a catheter into an artery for blood sampling, transfusion access, or continuous real-time monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate. This procedure is widely used across acute care settings and is clinically important for critically ill patients, perioperative monitoring, and situations that require frequent arterial blood gas analysis. Nationally, accurate coding for arterial catheter placement affects care documentation, facility billing, and resource planning in hospitals and critical care units.

Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for CPT code 36625, the typical sites of service where it is performed, and how the code is positioned within hospital and critical care service lines. The publication also summarizes common modifiers associated with vascular and procedural coding and notes where input data was not provided.

This report is intended for billing managers, revenue cycle staff, clinical coders, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on the code’s clinical application and billing context. It clarifies the scope of services represented by the code and outlines what elements to consider when assigning CPT code 36625 in acute care documentation and claims workflows.