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CPT code 76881: Joint ultrasound, complete examination2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a complete real-time, nonvascular ultrasound examination of an extremity, such as a shoulder or knee, with documented images.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality172.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $59.59 for 76881 in the office.

$59.59Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+10.8%vs the national office rate ($53.78)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76881 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 76881 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 76881 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 76881 covers

This service is a real-time ultrasound examination of an extremity, with image documentation, for a diagnostic assessment of a joint and its surrounding soft tissues. Orthopedists, rheumatologists, sports medicine physicians, and radiology practices may use it to evaluate findings such as joint fluid, synovial changes, or periarticular soft-tissue abnormalities. A shoulder or knee may be examined when symptoms or examination findings call for a complete study rather than a focused look at one structure.

Select the complete service when the documented examination covers the required scope of a complete extremity study; use the limited-study code when the evaluation is focused. The report should identify the body site, describe the structures examined and findings, and include image documentation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 76881

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76881 runs from $49.76 in Arkansas to $69.20 in Alaska. Washington, DC area pays $59.59. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

76881 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$59.59
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$58.58−$1.01
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$57.26−$2.33
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$56.26−$3.33
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$60.31+$0.72
  6. Alaska · Alaska$69.20+$9.61
  7. Alabama · Alabama$50.21−$9.38

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

76881 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$49.76—
ArizonaArizona$52.83—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$55.86—
Chico, CACalifornia$55.68—
El Centro, CACalifornia$55.69—
Fresno, CACalifornia$55.68—
Hanford, CACalifornia$55.68—
Madera, CACalifornia$55.68—

76881 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$49.76

$69.20

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

View every state and territory as a table
76881 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$69.201
AL$50.211
AR$49.761
AZ$52.831
CA$55.68–$66.2729
CO$55.221
CT$56.461
DC$59.591
DE$53.481
FL$53.62–$57.263
GA$51.64–$54.562
GU$56.181
HI$56.181
IA$50.841
ID$51.081
IL$52.74–$56.264
IN$51.261
KS$50.771
KY$51.111
LA$51.09–$52.662
MA$55.11–$59.202
MD$54.20–$59.593
ME$51.33–$52.952
MI$52.01–$54.132
MN$53.261
MO$50.60–$52.693
MS$50.181
MT$53.771
NC$51.651
ND$52.781
NE$50.991
NH$54.501
NJ$57.20–$59.372
NM$52.231
NV$53.521
NY$52.14–$61.385
OH$51.811
OK$50.971
OR$53.19–$56.342
PA$51.82–$55.562
PR$54.001
RI$54.901
SC$51.801
SD$52.671
TN$50.941
TX$51.61–$54.968
UT$52.241
VA$52.90–$59.592
VI$54.001
VT$52.721
WA$54.96–$60.102
WI$51.671
WV$51.521
WY$53.341

See 76881 in every payment locality

How the 76881 rate is calculated

Each of 76881’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 · 76881

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.88

0.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.68

0.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.6100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$53.78

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

8,841

Code
76881
Physician work
0.88
Practice expense
0.68
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 76881 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.88× 1.0540.9275
Practice expense0.68× 1.1780.8010
Malpractice0.05× 1.1130.0557
Total RVUs1.7842
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$59.59

Office: (0.88 × 1.054 + 0.68 × 1.178 + 0.05 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $59.59

Open 76881 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 76881

The CMS indicators that decide how 76881 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 76881

Joint ultrasound, complete examination

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

76881 without 26 · national office

$53.78

Joint ultrasound, complete examination

76881-26 · Professional component

$42.75

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 76881

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

Codes related to 76881
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
76882Extremity ultrasound, limited joint or soft tissueLimited or focused extremity ultrasound, contrasted with this complete examination.$72.66
Used instead
76883Nerve ultrasound, one extremity, comprehensiveUsed for a dedicated ultrasound examination of a nerve and accompanying structures.$82.68
76942Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localizationReports ultrasound guidance for needle placement, not a diagnostic joint examination.$72.77

How 76881 has changed in Washington, DC area

76881 · Office / nonfacility

$59.59

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $57.72 to $59.59 (3.2%).

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

    $57.72changed to$59.59

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.90 changed to 0.88
    • Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.68
    • 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.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $59.80changed to$57.72

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $58.82changed to$59.80

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $61.44changed to$58.82

    • 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

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $70.52changed to$61.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Work RVU 0.63 changed to 0.90
    • Practice expense RVU 1.08 changed to 0.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.05
    • 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.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $79.73changed to$70.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.28 changed to 1.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $92.65changed to$79.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.28
    • 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.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $105.45changed to$92.65

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • 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.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $121.82changed to$105.45

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 1.84

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $141.85changed to$121.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.69 changed to 2.22
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $136.42changed to$141.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.69
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $139.08changed to$136.42

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.62 changed to 2.57

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $138.39changed to$139.08

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $140.82changed to$138.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $145.87changed to$140.82

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.67
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $145.87

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$59.59Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$59.59Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$59.59Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$59.59Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$57.72Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$57.72Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$57.72Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$57.72Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$59.80Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$59.80Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$59.80Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$59.80Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$58.82Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$61.44Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$61.44Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$61.44Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$61.44Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$70.52Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$70.52Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$70.52Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$70.52Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$79.73Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$79.73Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$79.73Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$79.73Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$92.65Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$92.65Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$92.65Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$92.65Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$105.45Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$105.45Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$105.45Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$105.45Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$121.82Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$121.82Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$121.82Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$121.82Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$141.85Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$141.85Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$141.85Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$141.85Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$136.42Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$136.42Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$136.42Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$136.42Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$139.08Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$139.08Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$138.39Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$138.39Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$140.82Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$140.82Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$140.82Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$140.82Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$145.87Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$145.87Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$145.87Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$145.87Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 76881 for an earlier date of service

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

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

76881 billing questions

When should 76881 be chosen over 76882?

Use 76881 for a complete extremity examination. Use 76882 when the ultrasound is limited or focused on a specific area or structure.

What documentation supports a complete examination?

Document the extremity and joint examined, the scope and structures evaluated, the findings, and the associated images. The record should support a complete rather than focused study.

How are modifiers 26 and TC used?

Append modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Can 76881 be used for ultrasound-guided needle placement?

No. 76881 reports a diagnostic extremity ultrasound examination; 76942 describes ultrasound guidance for needle placement. The record should distinguish diagnostic imaging from procedural guidance.

Is a nerve-focused ultrasound the same service?

No. A dedicated ultrasound examination of a nerve and accompanying structures is represented by 76883, while 76881 describes a complete nonvascular extremity study.

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 76881PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,841 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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