CPT code 38900: Sentinel node mapping, intraoperative identification2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Salinas, CA
Report intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping when the surgeon identifies sentinel nodes during cancer surgery, commonly for breast cancer or melanoma.
In Salinas, CA, Medicare pays $145.30 for 38900 in the office and $119.75 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 38900 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 38900 covers
This add-on describes the surgeon’s intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph node(s), the first node or nodes expected to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor site. It is commonly used during breast cancer or melanoma surgery. The surgeon may inject nonradioactive dye and identify the draining node(s) for removal; the node excision itself is represented by the applicable primary procedure code.
Report 38900 only with a primary procedure, such as an open sentinel node biopsy, and document the tumor site, mapping or identification performed, and the associated operation. The code includes injection of nonradioactive dye when performed, so that injection is not separately represented by 38900. CMS treats this as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period. For a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 150% of the code’s applicable payment.
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 Salinas, CA compares for 38900
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 38900 runs from $129.23 in Arkansas to $179.70 in Alaska. Salinas, CA pays $145.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Salinas, CA · this page$145.30
- Bakersfield, CA · California$143.00−$2.30
- Chico, CA · California$141.40−$3.90
- El Centro, CA · California$141.50−$3.80
- Fresno, CA · California$141.40−$3.90
- Hanford, CA · California$141.40−$3.90
- Los Angeles, CA · California$149.69+$4.39
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $154.31 | $125.26 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $147.78 | $121.72 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $147.73 | $123.57 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $145.88 | $120.24 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $146.96 | $120.59 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $159.98 | $128.90 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $159.31 | $128.23 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $164.12 | $132.33 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $161.38 | $129.59 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $143.28 | $118.17 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $146.93 | $120.15 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $145.36 | $119.66 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $148.24 | $121.17 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $153.35 | $124.29 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $141.40 | $117.24 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $159.38 | $133.41 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $176.89 | $153.94 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $171.27 | $149.11 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $168.81 | $143.20 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $179.70 | $156.23 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $130.94 | $111.65 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $129.23 | $110.30 |
| ArizonaArizona | $140.77 | $119.40 |
| ColoradoColorado | $144.42 | $120.97 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $154.10 | $130.36 |
| DelawareDelaware | $142.85 | $121.07 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $161.45 | $139.12 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $152.95 | $131.87 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $149.87 | $127.47 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $144.02 | $124.35 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $142.66 | $117.59 |
| IowaIowa | $129.36 | $109.19 |
| IdahoIdaho | $131.07 | $110.79 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $161.44 | $141.16 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $152.25 | $132.12 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $161.93 | $139.29 |
| IndianaIndiana | $131.64 | $111.20 |
| KansasKansas | $130.98 | $111.06 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $138.43 | $118.83 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $145.06 | $124.31 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $139.10 | $119.59 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $154.62 | $128.30 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $144.58 | $121.37 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $154.13 | $130.47 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $144.68 | $122.37 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $134.01 | $113.73 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $137.29 | $115.45 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $156.95 | $135.67 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $143.70 | $123.57 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $132.36 | $109.67 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $141.84 | $121.14 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $142.90 | $121.91 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $138.41 | $119.41 |
| MississippiMississippi | $133.73 | $114.75 |
| MontanaMontana | $144.92 | $122.88 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $134.91 | $114.35 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $133.25 | $111.21 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $129.33 | $108.99 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $144.29 | $121.34 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $158.44 | $132.86 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $154.16 | $130.08 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $145.29 | $125.07 |
| NevadaNevada | $141.71 | $119.65 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $175.33 | $149.12 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $156.92 | $132.78 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $166.85 | $140.79 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $136.92 | $115.98 |
| OhioOhio | $141.31 | $121.18 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $135.88 | $116.20 |
| Portland, OROregon | $146.08 | $121.58 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $138.93 | $116.98 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $152.02 | $129.08 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $140.29 | $120.05 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $145.15 | $122.86 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $145.82 | $123.05 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $138.68 | $118.31 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $131.87 | $109.83 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $131.85 | $111.82 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $145.41 | $122.09 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $139.62 | $119.56 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $140.88 | $119.04 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $142.72 | $120.76 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $142.54 | $120.80 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $141.92 | $120.03 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $152.72 | $130.82 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $140.82 | $119.90 |
| UtahUtah | $140.32 | $119.60 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $138.42 | $116.75 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $145.15 | $122.86 |
| VermontVermont | $134.79 | $112.96 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $143.63 | $120.42 |
| King County, WAWashington | $155.36 | $128.31 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $129.49 | $108.37 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $147.72 | $128.56 |
| WyomingWyoming | $139.84 | $117.79 |
38900 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.
$129.23
$179.70
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 | $179.70 | 1 |
| AL | $130.94 | 1 |
| AR | $129.23 | 1 |
| AZ | $140.77 | 1 |
| CA | $141.40–$164.12 | 29 |
| CO | $144.42 | 1 |
| CT | $154.10 | 1 |
| DC | $159.38 | 1 |
| DE | $142.85 | 1 |
| FL | $152.95–$176.89 | 3 |
| GA | $144.02–$149.87 | 2 |
| GU | $142.66 | 1 |
| HI | $142.66 | 1 |
| IA | $129.36 | 1 |
| ID | $131.07 | 1 |
| IL | $152.25–$171.27 | 4 |
| IN | $131.64 | 1 |
| KS | $130.98 | 1 |
| KY | $138.43 | 1 |
| LA | $139.10–$145.06 | 2 |
| MA | $144.58–$154.62 | 2 |
| MD | $144.68–$159.38 | 3 |
| ME | $134.01–$137.29 | 2 |
| MI | $143.70–$156.95 | 2 |
| MN | $132.36 | 1 |
| MO | $138.41–$142.90 | 3 |
| MS | $133.73 | 1 |
| MT | $144.92 | 1 |
| NC | $134.91 | 1 |
| ND | $133.25 | 1 |
| NE | $129.33 | 1 |
| NH | $144.29 | 1 |
| NJ | $154.16–$158.44 | 2 |
| NM | $145.29 | 1 |
| NV | $141.71 | 1 |
| NY | $136.92–$175.33 | 5 |
| OH | $141.31 | 1 |
| OK | $135.88 | 1 |
| OR | $138.93–$146.08 | 2 |
| PA | $140.29–$152.02 | 2 |
| PR | $145.15 | 1 |
| RI | $145.82 | 1 |
| SC | $138.68 | 1 |
| SD | $131.87 | 1 |
| TN | $131.85 | 1 |
| TX | $139.62–$152.72 | 8 |
| UT | $140.32 | 1 |
| VA | $138.42–$159.38 | 2 |
| VI | $145.15 | 1 |
| VT | $134.79 | 1 |
| WA | $143.63–$155.36 | 2 |
| WI | $129.49 | 1 |
| WV | $147.72 | 1 |
| WY | $139.84 | 1 |
How the 38900 rate is calculated
Each of 38900’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 · 38900
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.44
2.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.31
1.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.3400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$144.96
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Salinas, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
4,772
- Code
- 38900
- Physician work
- 2.44
- Practice expense
- 1.31
- Malpractice
- 0.59
GPCI2026.csv
22
- Locality
- Salinas, CA
- Physician work
- 1.031
- Practice expense
- 1.159
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.44 | × 1.031 | 2.5156 |
| Practice expense | 1.31 | × 1.159 | 1.5183 |
| Malpractice | 0.59 | × 0.536 | 0.3162 |
| Total RVUs | 4.3502 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Salinas, CA$145.30
Office: (2.44 × 1.031 + 1.31 × 1.159 + 0.59 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $145.30
Facility: (2.44 × 1.031 + 0.65 × 1.159 + 0.59 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $119.75
Payment rules and modifiers for 38900
The CMS indicators that decide how 38900 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 38900
Sentinel node mapping, intraoperative identification
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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
38900 without 50 · national office
$144.96
Sentinel node mapping, intraoperative identification
38900-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$217.44
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 38900 has changed in Salinas, CA
38900 · Office / nonfacility
$145.30
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $12.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $132.82 to $145.30 (9.4%).
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
$132.82changed to$145.30
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.50 changed to 2.44
- Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.31
- Work GPCI 1.035 changed to 1.031
- Practice expense GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.159
- Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$135.91changed to$132.82
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.02
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$133.69changed to$135.91
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$138.49changed to$133.69
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.00
- Malpractice RVU 0.58 changed to 0.59
- Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.035
- Practice expense GPCI 1.149 changed to 1.165
- Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$142.87changed to$138.49
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.58
- Work GPCI 1.064 changed to 1.050
- Practice expense GPCI 1.133 changed to 1.149
- Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$142.17changed to$142.87
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.96 changed to 0.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60
- Work GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.064
- Practice expense GPCI 1.122 changed to 1.133
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$144.71changed to$142.17
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.058
- Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.122
- Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$140.50changed to$144.71
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.93
- Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60
- Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.051
- Practice expense GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.112
- Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$139.48changed to$140.50
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.91
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.026
- Practice expense GPCI 1.092 changed to 1.101
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$140.38changed to$139.48
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
- Practice expense GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.092
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$140.38
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $145.30 | $119.75 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $145.30 | $119.75 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $145.30 | $119.75 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $145.30 | $119.75 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $132.82 | $132.82 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $132.82 | $132.82 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $132.82 | $132.82 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $132.82 | $132.82 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $135.91 | $135.91 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $135.91 | $135.91 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $135.91 | $135.91 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $135.91 | $135.91 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $133.69 | $133.69 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $138.49 | $138.49 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $138.49 | $138.49 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $138.49 | $138.49 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $138.49 | $138.49 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $142.87 | $142.87 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $142.87 | $142.87 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $142.87 | $142.87 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $142.87 | $142.87 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $142.17 | $142.17 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $142.17 | $142.17 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $142.17 | $142.17 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $142.17 | $142.17 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $144.71 | $144.71 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $144.71 | $144.71 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $144.71 | $144.71 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $144.71 | $144.71 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $140.50 | $140.50 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $140.50 | $140.50 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $140.50 | $140.50 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $140.50 | $140.50 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $139.48 | $139.48 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $139.48 | $139.48 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $139.48 | $139.48 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $139.48 | $139.48 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $140.38 | $140.38 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $140.38 | $140.38 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $140.38 | $140.38 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $140.38 | $140.38 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Salinas, CA rate applies
Salinas, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Salinas
- 38900 in Aromas · multiple payment areas
- Boronda
- Bradley
- Carmel Valley Village
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Castroville
- Chualar
38900 billing questions
Is 38900 reported for each sentinel node removed?
Report it for the intraoperative mapping service, not once for every node identified or excised. The node removal is reported with the applicable primary procedure.
Can 38900 be billed by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary procedure, such as an open lymph node biopsy.
Is injection of blue dye separately reported with 38900?
The code includes injection of nonradioactive dye when performed. Document the mapping and dye use in the operative report.
How does 38900 differ from 38792?
38900 describes intraoperative identification of sentinel node(s). Code 38792 describes injection of radioactive tracer for sentinel node identification.
How is bilateral mapping reported?
When the procedure is bilateral and reported with modifier 50, CMS pays 150% of the applicable payment for 38900.
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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