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CPT code 76882: Extremity ultrasound, limited joint or soft tissue2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

A focused ultrasound assessment of a joint or nonvascular extremity structure, reported when the exam targets a limited area such as a tendon or muscle.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality375.3K Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $60.84 for 76882 in the office.

$60.84Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.1%vs the national office rate ($64.13)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76882 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 76882 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 76882 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 76882 covers

This code describes a focused real-time ultrasound assessment of a joint or another nonvascular structure in an extremity. Typical targets include a suspected joint effusion, a tendon or muscle, or a localized soft-tissue concern. Radiologists, sports medicine physicians, rheumatologists, and orthopedic clinicians may perform the study in an office, clinic, or imaging department. The exam includes image documentation and a diagnostic interpretation.

Choose this code when the imaging is limited to a specific structure or focused question, rather than a broader survey of the joint. The report should identify the side and anatomy examined, the clinical indication, findings, and saved images. CMS recognizes a professional component for interpretation and a technical component for equipment and staff: bill modifier 26 for the professional work, modifier TC for the technical service, or neither modifier for 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 North Carolina compares for 76882

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76882 runs from $57.67 in Arkansas to $83.53 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $60.84. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

76882 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$60.84
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$71.82+$10.98
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$72.66+$11.82
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$68.33+$7.49
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$66.65+$5.81
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$73.03+$12.19
  7. Alaska · Alaska$77.17+$16.33

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

Every other payment area

76882 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$58.39—
ArkansasArkansas$57.67—
ArizonaArizona$62.65—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$67.75—
Chico, CACalifornia$67.58—
El Centro, CACalifornia$67.59—
Fresno, CACalifornia$67.58—
Hanford, CACalifornia$67.58—

76882 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.

$57.67

$77.17

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

View every state and territory as a table
76882 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$77.171
AL$58.391
AR$57.671
AZ$62.651
CA$67.58–$83.5329
CO$66.601
CT$68.011
DC$72.661
DE$63.591
FL$63.21–$68.333
GA$60.12–$65.172
GU$68.921
HI$68.921
IA$59.721
ID$60.041
IL$61.58–$66.664
IN$60.351
KS$59.451
KY$59.541
LA$59.45–$61.992
MA$66.27–$72.642
MD$64.70–$72.663
ME$60.29–$63.152
MI$60.86–$63.872
MN$64.121
MO$58.56–$62.213
MS$58.121
MT$64.131
NC$60.841
ND$63.141
NE$60.001
NH$65.561
NJ$68.87–$72.072
NM$61.141
NV$63.891
NY$61.63–$74.575
OH$60.661
OK$59.471
OR$63.47–$68.512
PA$60.75–$66.502
PR$64.551
RI$65.701
SC$60.831
SD$63.021
TN$59.711
TX$60.40–$66.318
UT$61.551
VA$62.96–$72.662
VI$64.551
VT$62.901
WA$66.15–$74.042
WI$61.291
WV$59.601
WY$63.701

See 76882 in every payment locality

How the 76882 rate is calculated

Each of 76882’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 · 76882

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.67

0.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.20

1.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.9200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$64.13

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,844

Code
76882
Physician work
0.67
Practice expense
1.20
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 76882 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.67× 1.0000.6700
Practice expense1.20× 0.9331.1196
Malpractice0.05× 0.6390.0319
Total RVUs1.8216
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$60.84

Office: (0.67 × 1 + 1.2 × 0.933 + 0.05 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $60.84

Open 76882 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 76882

The CMS indicators that decide how 76882 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 76882

Extremity ultrasound, limited joint or soft tissue

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

76882 without 26 · national office

$64.13

Extremity ultrasound, limited joint or soft tissue

76882-26 · Professional component

$32.06

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 76882

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

Codes related to 76882
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, North Carolina
Same family
76881Joint ultrasound, complete examinationComprehensive joint ultrasound; 76882 represents the focused examination.$51.65
Used instead
76883Nerve ultrasound, one extremity, comprehensiveUsed for a comprehensive peripheral nerve and accompanying-structure ultrasound in one extremity.$71.35
20611Joint aspiration/injection, ultrasound-guided major joint or bursaDescribes major-joint or bursal aspiration or injection performed with ultrasound guidance.$98.25

How 76882 has changed in North Carolina

76882 · Office / nonfacility

$60.84

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $59.04 to $60.84 (3.0%).

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

    $59.04changed to$60.84

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.69 changed to 0.67
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.20
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $59.83changed to$59.04

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.19

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $58.85changed to$59.83

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $40.97changed to$58.85

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.52 changed to 1.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $54.74changed to$40.97

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Work RVU 0.49 changed to 0.69
    • Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 0.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $54.55changed to$54.74

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.13 changed to 1.15

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $55.09changed to$54.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $55.23changed to$55.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $55.84changed to$55.23

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.09

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $35.01changed to$55.84

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.49 changed to 1.11
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $34.96changed to$35.01

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $35.09changed to$34.96

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $34.91changed to$35.09

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $34.51changed to$34.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $33.62changed to$34.51

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.50 changed to 0.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $33.62

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$60.84Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$60.84Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$60.84Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$60.84Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$59.04Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$59.04Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$59.04Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$59.04Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$59.83Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$59.83Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$59.83Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$59.83Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$58.85Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$40.97Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$40.97Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$40.97Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$40.97Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$54.74Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$54.74Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$54.74Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$54.74Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$54.55Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$54.55Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$54.55Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$54.55Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$55.09Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$55.09Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$55.09Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$55.09Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$55.23Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$55.23Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$55.23Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$55.23Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$55.84Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$55.84Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$55.84Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$55.84Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$34.96Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$34.96Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$34.96Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$34.96Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$35.09Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$35.09Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$34.91Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$34.91Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$34.51Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$34.51Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$34.51Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$34.51Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$33.62Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$33.62Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$33.62Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$33.62Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 76882 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

76882 billing questions

When should 76882 be selected instead of 76881?

Use 76882 for a focused assessment of a specific structure or question. Use 76881 when the examination evaluates the joint comprehensively.

Can 76882 be reported for ultrasound guidance during a joint injection?

Do not use 76882 solely to represent needle guidance. Code 20611 describes major-joint or bursal aspiration or injection performed with ultrasound guidance.

Which modifiers identify the professional and technical services?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports a limited extremity ultrasound?

Document the clinical indication, side and specific structure examined, focused findings, saved images, and the interpreting clinician’s report.

How does 76882 differ from a peripheral nerve ultrasound?

Use 76882 for a limited joint or nonvascular extremity assessment. Code 76883 is for a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of a nerve and accompanying structures in one extremity.

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 76882PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,844 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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