CPT code 76873: Prostate ultrasound, volume study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $178.69 for 76873 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $159.69–$238.51.

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

What 76873 covers

This study uses a transrectal ultrasound probe to measure prostate volume and retain images documenting the examination. Urologists and radiologists commonly perform it in an office or imaging setting when prostate size is needed to evaluate enlargement or plan treatment, including prostate brachytherapy. It is a volume-measurement service rather than simply documenting that transrectal imaging was performed.

Select the code when the record supports a prostate volume study and includes the required image documentation. The report should identify the measurement and provide the corresponding images; documentation of a general prostate ultrasound alone does not establish this specific service. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.

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.

Where 76873 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

76873 rates by state

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

How the 76873 rate is calculated

Each of 76873’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 76873

The CMS indicators that decide how 76873 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

76873 compared with similar codes

How to choose

76872Transrectal ultrasoundProstate imaging

76872 describes general transrectal ultrasound imaging. Choose 76873 when the service specifically measures prostate volume and includes image documentation.

76856Pelvic ultrasoundComplete, nonobstetric

76856 is a complete pelvic ultrasound, not a dedicated transrectal prostate volume study. The approach and documented examination determine which service is represented.

Codes related to 76873

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

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