CPT code 36820 denotes surgical creation of an arteriovenous anastomosis in the forearm to establish vascular access for maintenance hemodialysis. This procedure is a cornerstone of care for patients with end-stage renal disease who require reliable access for repeated dialysis sessions. Nationally, consistent coding and appropriate site-of-service designation affect access management, facility planning, and payment for nephrology and vascular surgery services.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for arteriovenous fistula creation, common sites of service, and the operational implications for surgical and dialysis programs. The publication outlines typical billing and coding considerations, payer coverage patterns, and benchmark metrics where available.

The report is intended to inform clinical leaders, practice managers, and coding professionals about how CPT code 36820 is used in practice, highlight areas where policy updates influence reimbursement and site-of-service decisions, and summarize the clinical purpose and relevance of the procedure. Data not available in the input will be noted as such in the detailed sections.