Price Checker / CPT 36012
How much does Place Catheter In Vein cost?
CPT 36012 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 10x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$2,250–$2,650
What this should cost
With insurance
~$122,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$3,300
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $24,930 is $22,480 over the fair price (about 10x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Place Catheter In Vein
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOURDES HOSPITAL Paducah, KY | $44,096 | — | 4619% |
| Henry County Hospital Napoleon, OH | $5,764 | — | 613% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Place Catheter In Vein
CPT code 36012 refers to place catheter in vein (billing description: "Place catheter in vein"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $154 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $808 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.