CPT code 76536: Head and neck ultrasound, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary soft tissues2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oxnard, CA

Report diagnostic head and neck soft tissue ultrasound for thyroid nodules, salivary masses, parathyroid assessment, or cervical lymphadenopathy, with stored images and interpretation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality991.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Oxnard, CA, Medicare pays $124.73 for 76536 in the office.

$124.73Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+14.9%vs the national office rate ($108.55)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76536 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 76536 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Oxnard, CA
  2. What 76536 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 76536 covers

This exam evaluates superficial soft tissue structures of the head and neck with real-time ultrasound and permanent image documentation. The most common use is thyroid imaging for palpable nodules, goiter, abnormal thyroid labs, or follow-up of known nodules. It also covers parathyroid localization before surgery, parotid and submandibular gland masses, neck lumps, and cervical lymph node assessment in head and neck or thyroid cancer surveillance. Sonographers in radiology departments and imaging centers usually acquire the images and radiologists interpret them, though endocrinologists and otolaryngologists may perform and read the study in the office.

Report one unit for a head and neck soft tissue examination, regardless of how many glands or nodes are examined. The report should identify the structures evaluated, describe findings such as nodule size, composition, and location, and reference stored images. CMS prices this diagnostic test by component: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation and report, modifier TC identifies the equipment, staff, and supplies, and billing without a modifier claims the global service when one entity provides both. Hospital-based radiologists typically bill with modifier 26 while the facility bills the technical portion.

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 Oxnard, CA compares for 76536

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76536 runs from $95.38 in Arkansas to $149.22 in San Benito County, CA. Oxnard, CA pays $124.73. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

76536 in Oxnard, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Oxnard, CA · this page$124.73
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$116.91−$7.82
  3. Chico, CA · California$116.77−$7.96
  4. El Centro, CA · California$116.78−$7.95
  5. Fresno, CA · California$116.77−$7.96
  6. Hanford, CA · California$116.77−$7.96
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$125.12+$0.39

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

76536 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$116.77—
Merced, CACalifornia$116.77—
Modesto, CACalifornia$116.77—
Napa, CACalifornia$137.31—
Redding, CACalifornia$116.77—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$116.77—
Riverside, CACalifornia$117.22—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$123.08—

76536 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.

$95.38

$133.00

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
76536 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$122.911
AL$96.871
AR$95.381
AZ$105.611
CA$116.77–$149.2229
CO$114.171
CT$116.041
DC$125.511
DE$107.441
FL$105.32–$114.243
GA$99.21–$110.302
GU$120.161
HI$120.161
IA$100.201
ID$100.741
IL$101.58–$112.114
IN$101.381
KS$99.361
KY$98.581
LA$98.28–$103.492
MA$113.28–$126.402
MD$109.69–$125.513
ME$100.94–$107.262
MI$101.00–$106.362
MN$110.191
MO$96.26–$104.293
MS$95.851
MT$108.551
NC$102.121
ND$107.761
NE$100.881
NH$112.031
NJ$117.59–$124.022
NM$101.451
NV$108.421
NY$103.71–$127.675
OH$100.831
OK$98.751
OR$107.80–$118.372
PA$101.19–$112.782
PR$109.511
RI$111.691
SC$101.601
SD$107.671
TN$99.851
TX$100.46–$113.598
UT$103.091
VA$106.65–$125.512
VI$109.511
VT$107.001
WA$113.18–$129.402
WI$103.901
WV$97.491
WY$108.211

See 76536 in every payment locality

How the 76536 rate is calculated

Each of 76536’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 · 76536

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.55

0.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.66

2.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.2500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$108.55

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Oxnard, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,730

Code
76536
Physician work
0.55
Practice expense
2.66
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

18

Locality
Oxnard, CA
Physician work
1.028
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
0.623
Office calculation for 76536 in Oxnard, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.55× 1.0280.5654
Practice expense2.66× 1.1823.1441
Malpractice0.04× 0.6230.0249
Total RVUs3.7344
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Oxnard, CA$124.73

Office: (0.55 × 1.028 + 2.66 × 1.182 + 0.04 × 0.623) × $33.4009 = $124.73

Open 76536 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 76536

The CMS indicators that decide how 76536 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 76536

Head and neck ultrasound, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary soft tissues

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

76536 without 26 · national office

$108.55

Head and neck ultrasound, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary soft tissues

76536-26 · Professional component

$26.39

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 76536 has changed in Oxnard, CA

76536 · Office / nonfacility

$124.73

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $121.81 to $124.73 (2.4%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $121.81changed to$124.73

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.56 changed to 0.55
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.028
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.183 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.651 changed to 0.623

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $126.71changed to$121.81

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.71 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $124.64changed to$126.71

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $130.31changed to$124.64

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.74 changed to 2.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.181 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.689 changed to 0.651
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $133.77changed to$130.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.76 changed to 2.74
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.179 changed to 1.181
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.726 changed to 0.689

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $136.93changed to$133.77

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.81 changed to 2.76

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $135.26changed to$136.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.178 changed to 1.179
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.700 changed to 0.726

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $133.95changed to$135.26

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.65 changed to 2.67
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.673 changed to 0.700

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $136.77changed to$133.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.72 changed to 2.65

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $136.29changed to$136.77

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.71 changed to 2.72
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.178 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.754 changed to 0.673

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $135.50changed to$136.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.69 changed to 2.71
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.180 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.834 changed to 0.754

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $135.69changed to$135.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $135.01changed to$135.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $142.92changed to$135.01

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.187 changed to 1.180
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.720 changed to 0.834

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $145.13changed to$142.92

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.07 changed to 2.85
    • Work GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.193 changed to 1.187
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.605 changed to 0.720

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$145.13

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$124.73Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$124.73Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$124.73Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$124.73Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$121.81Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$121.81Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$121.81Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$121.81Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$126.71Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$126.71Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$126.71Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$126.71Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$124.64Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$130.31Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$130.31Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$130.31Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$130.31Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$133.77Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$133.77Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$133.77Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$133.77Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$135.26Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$135.26Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$135.26Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$135.26Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$133.95Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$133.95Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$133.95Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$133.95Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$136.77Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$136.77Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$136.77Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$136.77Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$136.29Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$136.29Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$136.29Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$136.29Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$135.50Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$135.50Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$135.50Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$135.50Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$135.69Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$135.69Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$135.01Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$135.01Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$142.92Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$142.92Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$142.92Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$142.92Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$145.13Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 76536 for an earlier date of service

Where the Oxnard, CA rate applies

Oxnard, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 26 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Oxnard
  • Thousand Oaks
  • Bell Canyon
  • Camarillo
  • Casa Conejo
  • Channel Islands Beach
  • El Rio
  • Fillmore

Browse all communities in California

76536 billing questions

Should carotid artery ultrasound be billed with this code?

No. Carotid evaluation is a vascular duplex study reported with 93880 or 93882. This code is for nonvascular soft tissues like the thyroid, parathyroids, salivary glands, and lymph nodes.

Can this be billed with an ultrasound-guided thyroid fine needle aspiration?

Ultrasound guidance is included in 10005 and 10006, so this code should not be reported just for localizing the needle target. A separately documented diagnostic neck ultrasound with its own report may be reportable when medically necessary.

Which modifier does a radiologist reading a hospital outpatient study use?

The radiologist appends modifier 26 for the interpretation and report, and the hospital reports the technical portion on its facility claim. An office that provides both the imaging and interpretation bills the code without a modifier.

Is it reported per gland or per side?

Report one unit for the head and neck soft tissue examination, even when the thyroid, parathyroids, and cervical lymph nodes are all evaluated.

What documentation supports the claim?

A signed interpretation should describe the structures examined and findings, with images retained. Measurements and characterization of any nodules or nodes support follow-up studies.

Is infant head ultrasound through the fontanelle reported here?

No. Brain imaging through the fontanelle is reported with 76506. This code addresses superficial soft tissues of the head and neck, not intracranial contents.

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
RVUs for 76536PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,730 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Oxnard, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 18 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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