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    OpenPayerBilling CodesArterial ProceduresCPT cpt-36640-arterial-catheter-placement-prolonged-infusion
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    CPT 36640: Arterial Catheter Insertion for Prolonged Infusion

    Medicare pays $103 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 36640 describes a surgical procedure in which the clinician makes a skin incision to locate and dissect tissue around an artery and then inserts an arterial catheter for the purpose of prolonged infusion therapy; this represents an arterial catheter insertion service (invasive vascular access) typically performed in an operating room, procedure suite, or interventional radiology setting and classified as a surgical vascular access procedure for prolonged arterial infusion.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 67-year-old patient with advanced peripheral arterial disease and chronic limb ischemia is admitted for initiation of long-term intra-arterial infusion therapy for limb-sparing thrombolysis. After preoperative assessment and informed consent, the patient is brought to the vascular operating suite. Under monitored anesthesia care, the vascular surgeon makes a small incision over the selected arterial site (commonly the common femoral artery), dissects through subcutaneous tissue and fascia to expose the artery, and places a retained arterial infusion catheter for prolonged medication delivery. The catheter is secured, the incision closed, and the patient is monitored in recovery with vascular access care protocols and serial neurovascular checks. This workflow typically involves vascular surgery or interventional radiology, perioperative nursing, sterile technique, and documentation of arterial access site, catheter type, laterality, medications to be infused, anticipated duration of infusion therapy, and any complications such as hematoma or arterial thrombosis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36010Introduction of catheter, superior or inferior vena cava, central venous accessCentral venous access may be obtained in the same episode for systemic medication or monitoring separate from arterial infusion
    36215Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each first order thoracic, abdominal visceral, or lower extremity artery, open or percutaneousMay be performed in the same session when selective arterial catheterization beyond the access site is required for infusion or angiography
    36620Arterial catheterization, other than brachial or radial, with insertion of indwelling catheter, percutaneous; initialSimilar arterial access codes often used for percutaneous arterial catheter placements; relates by site and technique differences
    76937Ultrasound guidance for vascular accessCommonly used adjunct when ultrasound guidance is used for arterial puncture or catheter placement
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureRoutine adjunct services for monitoring labs during prolonged infusion therapy

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    78CPT 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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    2080P0006X
    363L00000X
    208D00000X
    364SR0400X
    363LN0000X
    2472R0900X
    2080T0002X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-36600-ARTERIAL-BLOOD-SAMPLING-FOR-DIAGNOSTIC-TESTING

    CPT 36600: Arterial Blood Gas Sampling

    CPT-36620-ARTERIAL-CATHETER-INSERTION-FOR-MONITORING-AND-SAMPLING

    CPT 36620: Percutaneous Arterial Catheterization for Monitoring or Sampling

    CPT-36625-ARTERIAL-CATHETERIZATION-FOR-MONITORING-AND-SAMPLING

    CPT 36625: Arterial Catheter Insertion

    CPT-36660-UMBILICAL-ARTERY-CATHETER-INSERTION-NEWBORN

    CPT 36660: Umbilical Artery Catheterization in Newborn

    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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