CPT code 38792: Sentinel node injection, radioactive tracer2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports radioactive tracer injection to localize sentinel lymph nodes, commonly before breast cancer or melanoma surgery and subsequent node removal.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $94.03 for 38792 in the office and $29.50 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 38792 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 38792 covers
This service is the injection of radioactive tracer to help locate sentinel lymph nodes that drain a tumor site. It is commonly used in breast cancer and melanoma care before sentinel node biopsy or excision. A nuclear medicine or radiology clinician, or the surgeon, may perform the injection in a facility or office setting. The injection is distinct from imaging that follows it and from surgical removal of the node.
Report 38792 when the documented service is the radioactive tracer injection for sentinel node localization. The record should identify the injection site, laterality, tracer, and clinical purpose; report a separately performed node biopsy or imaging service with its applicable code. This is a minor procedure with a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 applies to bilateral performance and is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How Washington, DC area compares for 38792
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 38792 runs from $72.74 in Arkansas to $109.38 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $94.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$94.03
- Los Angeles, CA · California$93.00−$1.03
- Miami, FL · Florida$88.15−$5.88
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$85.64−$8.39
- Manhattan, NY · New York$94.41+$0.38
- Alaska · Alaska$95.46+$1.43
- Alabama · Alabama$73.80−$20.23
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $72.74 | $25.69 |
| ArizonaArizona | $80.01 | $26.93 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $87.30 | $27.26 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $87.09 | $27.06 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $101.04 | $28.84 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $92.57 | $27.83 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $87.84 | $27.81 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $91.42 | $27.71 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $91.08 | $27.59 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $93.25 | $27.73 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $107.00 | $29.77 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $106.92 | $29.69 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $109.38 | $30.39 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $109.05 | $30.07 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $89.61 | $27.22 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $94.16 | $27.61 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $91.43 | $27.56 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $95.12 | $27.85 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $100.92 | $28.72 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $87.08 | $27.05 |
| ColoradoColorado | $85.67 | $27.39 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $87.60 | $28.61 |
| DelawareDelaware | $81.33 | $27.21 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $84.82 | $29.33 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $80.76 | $28.39 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $83.64 | $27.99 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $76.27 | $27.40 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $89.24 | $26.95 |
| IowaIowa | $75.76 | $25.64 |
| IdahoIdaho | $76.23 | $25.84 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $79.83 | $29.44 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $78.37 | $28.36 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $85.71 | $29.45 |
| IndianaIndiana | $76.67 | $25.89 |
| KansasKansas | $75.36 | $25.84 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $75.44 | $26.75 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $79.02 | $27.47 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $75.31 | $26.83 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $94.18 | $28.77 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $85.14 | $27.46 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $87.35 | $28.57 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $82.89 | $27.46 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $76.58 | $26.18 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $80.77 | $26.49 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $81.71 | $28.85 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $77.35 | $27.34 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $82.22 | $25.86 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $78.53 | $27.09 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $79.35 | $27.20 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $73.99 | $26.77 |
| MississippiMississippi | $73.38 | $26.22 |
| MontanaMontana | $82.16 | $27.38 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $77.38 | $26.28 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $80.78 | $26.00 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $76.19 | $25.63 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $84.28 | $27.26 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $93.06 | $29.51 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $88.64 | $28.83 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $77.76 | $27.53 |
| NevadaNevada | $81.83 | $27.00 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $96.63 | $31.50 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $89.19 | $29.21 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $95.25 | $30.50 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $78.53 | $26.49 |
| OhioOhio | $77.07 | $27.06 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $75.35 | $26.44 |
| Portland, OROregon | $88.43 | $27.57 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $81.24 | $26.68 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $85.41 | $28.38 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $77.22 | $26.93 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $82.78 | $27.40 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $84.25 | $27.67 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $77.35 | $26.73 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $80.61 | $25.84 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $75.73 | $25.94 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $85.35 | $27.40 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $76.71 | $26.86 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $81.29 | $27.01 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $81.79 | $27.23 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $81.23 | $27.22 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $81.52 | $27.13 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $82.80 | $28.41 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $78.94 | $26.96 |
| UtahUtah | $78.40 | $26.91 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $80.48 | $26.63 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $82.78 | $27.40 |
| VermontVermont | $80.42 | $26.19 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $85.00 | $27.32 |
| King County, WAWashington | $96.13 | $28.92 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $78.08 | $25.60 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $75.47 | $27.87 |
| WyomingWyoming | $81.56 | $26.78 |
38792 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$72.74
$98.23
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $95.46 | 1 |
| AL | $73.80 | 1 |
| AR | $72.74 | 1 |
| AZ | $80.01 | 1 |
| CA | $87.08–$109.38 | 29 |
| CO | $85.67 | 1 |
| CT | $87.60 | 1 |
| DC | $94.03 | 1 |
| DE | $81.33 | 1 |
| FL | $80.76–$88.15 | 3 |
| GA | $76.27–$83.64 | 2 |
| GU | $89.24 | 1 |
| HI | $89.24 | 1 |
| IA | $75.76 | 1 |
| ID | $76.23 | 1 |
| IL | $78.37–$85.71 | 4 |
| IN | $76.67 | 1 |
| KS | $75.36 | 1 |
| KY | $75.44 | 1 |
| LA | $75.31–$79.02 | 2 |
| MA | $85.14–$94.18 | 2 |
| MD | $82.89–$94.03 | 3 |
| ME | $76.58–$80.77 | 2 |
| MI | $77.35–$81.71 | 2 |
| MN | $82.22 | 1 |
| MO | $73.99–$79.35 | 3 |
| MS | $73.38 | 1 |
| MT | $82.16 | 1 |
| NC | $77.38 | 1 |
| ND | $80.78 | 1 |
| NE | $76.19 | 1 |
| NH | $84.28 | 1 |
| NJ | $88.64–$93.06 | 2 |
| NM | $77.76 | 1 |
| NV | $81.83 | 1 |
| NY | $78.53–$96.63 | 5 |
| OH | $77.07 | 1 |
| OK | $75.35 | 1 |
| OR | $81.24–$88.43 | 2 |
| PA | $77.22–$85.41 | 2 |
| PR | $82.78 | 1 |
| RI | $84.25 | 1 |
| SC | $77.35 | 1 |
| SD | $80.61 | 1 |
| TN | $75.73 | 1 |
| TX | $76.71–$85.35 | 8 |
| UT | $78.40 | 1 |
| VA | $80.48–$94.03 | 2 |
| VI | $82.78 | 1 |
| VT | $80.42 | 1 |
| WA | $85.00–$96.13 | 2 |
| WI | $78.08 | 1 |
| WV | $75.47 | 1 |
| WY | $81.56 | 1 |
How the 38792 rate is calculated
Each of 38792’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 38792
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.63
0.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.76
1.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.4600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$82.17
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,770
- Code
- 38792
- Physician work
- 0.63
- Practice expense
- 1.76
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.63 | × 1.054 | 0.6640 |
| Practice expense | 1.76 | × 1.178 | 2.0733 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 1.113 | 0.0779 |
| Total RVUs | 2.8152 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Washington, DC area$94.03
Office: (0.63 × 1.054 + 1.76 × 1.178 + 0.07 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $94.03
Facility: (0.63 × 1.054 + 0.12 × 1.178 + 0.07 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $29.50
Payment rules and modifiers for 38792
The CMS indicators that decide how 38792 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 38792
Sentinel node injection, radioactive tracer
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
38792 without 50 · national office
$82.17
Sentinel node injection, radioactive tracer
38792-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$123.26
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
How 38792 has changed in Washington, DC area
38792 · Office / nonfacility
$94.03
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.07 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $91.96 to $94.03 (2.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$91.96changed to$94.03
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.65 changed to 0.63
- Practice expense RVU 1.74 changed to 1.76
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
- Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$95.02changed to$91.96
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$93.47changed to$95.02
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$98.18changed to$93.47
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
- Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
- Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$101.31changed to$98.18
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.72 changed to 1.74
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
- Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
- Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$102.15changed to$101.31
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$100.58changed to$102.15
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.72
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
- Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$98.03changed to$100.58
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.61 changed to 1.63
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
- Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
No ratechanged to$98.03
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $94.03 | $29.50 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $94.03 | $29.50 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $94.03 | $29.50 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $94.03 | $29.50 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $91.96 | $33.74 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $91.96 | $33.74 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $91.96 | $33.74 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $91.96 | $33.74 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $95.02 | $34.71 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $95.02 | $34.71 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $95.02 | $34.71 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $95.02 | $34.71 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $93.47 | $34.14 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $98.18 | $36.06 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $98.18 | $36.06 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $98.18 | $36.06 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $98.18 | $36.06 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $101.31 | $37.58 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $101.31 | $37.58 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $101.31 | $37.58 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $101.31 | $37.58 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $102.15 | $37.89 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $102.15 | $37.89 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $102.15 | $37.89 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $102.15 | $37.89 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $100.58 | $38.89 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $100.58 | $38.89 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $100.58 | $38.89 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $100.58 | $38.89 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $98.03 | $38.10 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $98.03 | $38.10 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $98.03 | $38.10 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $98.03 | $38.10 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.58 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.58 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.58 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.58 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.97 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.97 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.97 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.97 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.94 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.94 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.94 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.94 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.65 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.65 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.41 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.41 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $47.13 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $47.13 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $47.13 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $47.13 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.50 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.50 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.50 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $46.50 | RVU13AR |
Where the Washington, DC area rate applies
Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Washington
38792 billing questions
How is 38792 different from sentinel node removal?
38792 reports the radioactive tracer injection used to locate the node. Report the appropriate biopsy or excision code separately when the surgeon removes a node.
Does this code report lymphoscintigraphy imaging?
No. It reports the injection procedure; lymphatic and node imaging is a separate service, such as 78195 when performed and supported.
Can 38792 be reported with nonradioactive sentinel node mapping?
It may be reported with 38900 when both radioactive tracer injection and the separately documented nonradioactive intraoperative mapping technique are performed.
When is modifier 50 appropriate?
Use modifier 50 when the injection service is performed bilaterally. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
What documentation supports reporting 38792?
Document the tracer injection, injection site and side, and its purpose in localizing sentinel nodes. Identify any separately performed imaging or node excision in the record.
How does the 0-day global period affect same-day care?
Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure's 0-day global period.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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