CPT code 38792: Sentinel node injection, radioactive tracer2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Austin, TX

In Austin, TX, Medicare pays $85.35 for 38792 in the office and $27.40 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.

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 Austin, TX 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. Austin, TX pays $85.35. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

38792 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

See 38792 in every payment locality

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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 38792

The CMS indicators that decide how 38792 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 38792

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

How 38792 has changed in Austin, TX

Price 38792 for an earlier date of service

Where the Austin, TX rate applies

Austin, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• 38792 in Austin · multiple payment areas
• Barton Creek
• Bee Cave
• Briarcliff
• 38792 in Cedar Park · multiple payment areas
• 38792 in Creedmoor · multiple payment areas
• 38792 in Elgin · multiple payment areas
• Garfield

Browse all communities in Texas

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates