CPT code 36831 describes a surgical thrombectomy for an arteriovenous fistula, in which the provider opens an autogenous or nonautogenous fistula and removes clot at the arterial-venous anastomosis without performing fistula revision. This code is clinically important because maintaining functional vascular access is essential for patients receiving hemodialysis; timely thrombectomy can restore access and reduce the need for new access creation.

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, typical sites of service, and service type, followed by benchmark considerations and common billing practices tied to this procedure.

The publication provides national-level benchmarks and policy context relevant to reimbursement and utilization for surgical management of thrombosed dialysis fistulas. It highlights clinical indications for the procedure, common billing and coding considerations, and areas where payer policy updates may affect coverage or prior authorization requirements. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable. This summary is intended to help billing managers, surgical providers, and policy analysts quickly understand the code's clinical purpose and its relevance across major payers.