Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesArterial ProceduresCPT cpt-36660-umbilical-artery-catheter-insertion-newborn
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 36660: Umbilical Artery Catheterization in Newborn

    Medicare pays $59 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 36660 describes insertion of a catheter into one of the umbilical arteries of a newborn to obtain blood for diagnostic testing or to rapidly deliver medications or fluids; service type: neonatal vascular access/arterial catheterization; typical site of service: neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or delivery room for immediate postnatal care and stabilization.

    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).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 36660 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 36660 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A term or preterm neonate in the delivery room or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with need for immediate vascular access or blood sampling. Typical scenario: a newborn with respiratory distress, suspected sepsis, severe hypoglycemia, or need for emergency medication (e.g., epinephrine, volume bolus) after birth. The neonatal team (neonatologist, pediatrician, or neonatal nurse practitioner) performs sterile preparation of the umbilical cord, exposes one of the umbilical arteries, and inserts an umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) to either obtain arterial blood gases and laboratory specimens or to administer medications/fluids rapidly when peripheral access is not available. The workflow includes verification of indication and consent, collection of baseline vitals and weight, positioning of the infant, sterile technique, catheter selection and measurement for appropriate insertion depth, securement and dressing of the catheter, chest/abdominal radiograph or bedside imaging to confirm catheter tip position when clinically required, documentation of procedure, and ongoing catheter maintenance and monitoring for complications such as thrombosis, infection, or malposition.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36660Umbilical artery catheterization, insertion of catheter, umbilical artery of newbornPrimary procedure for umbilical arterial catheter placement used for blood sampling or medication/infusion access.
    36556Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or youngerMay be performed when longer-term or different central venous access is required instead of or after umbilical access.
    36510Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, age 5 years or olderRelevant in older infants or when alternative central access is needed.
    36593Injection procedure during vascular catheterization; for infusion port or central line maintenance (e.g., exchange)Related to subsequent catheter maintenance, line exchanges, or contrast injection for evaluation.
    99183Physicians or other qualified healthcare professional inpatient neonatal resuscitationPerformed in the same clinical context when neonatal resuscitation and advanced airway/medication delivery accompany catheter placement.
    94002Ventilation assist and management, initiation of pressure or volume preset ventilators for assisted or controlled breathing for each dayOften part of the NICU care bundle when UAC is placed in critically ill neonates requiring ventilatory support.

    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…
    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
    207P00000X
    2080P0206X
    363A00000X
    208000000X
    261QR0207X
    2251X0800X
    261QC1500X
    2081H0002X

    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-36640-ARTERIAL-CATHETER-PLACEMENT-PROLONGED-INFUSION

    CPT 36640: Arterial Catheter Insertion for Prolonged Infusion

    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.
    Published by

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

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.