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CPT code 76937: Vascular access guidance, ultrasound guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report ultrasound guidance for vascular access when the clinician evaluates access sites, confirms vessel patency, and documents real-time needle entry.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality600.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $46.32 for 76937 in the office.

$46.32Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+14.6%vs the national office rate ($40.42)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76937 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 76937 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 76937 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 76937 covers

This service covers ultrasound assessment and real-time guidance during vascular access. The clinician evaluates potential access sites, documents the selected vessel’s patency, watches the needle enter the vessel, and permanently records the images. It is commonly performed during central venous catheter or PICC placement and may also accompany arterial access. Physicians and other qualified practitioners perform it in hospitals, outpatient departments, and office settings.

Report 76937 only with a primary procedure for vascular access; it is an add-on code and is paid within that procedure’s global period. Documentation should support the site evaluation, vessel patency, real-time visualization of needle entry, and permanent image recording. CMS treats the service as a diagnostic test with professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation or TC for the equipment and staff, or bill without a 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 Washington, DC area compares for 76937

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76937 runs from $35.62 in Arkansas to $53.85 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $46.32. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

76937 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$46.32
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$45.74−$0.58
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$43.66−$2.66
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$42.36−$3.96
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$46.58+$0.26
  6. Alaska · Alaska$46.57+$0.25
  7. Alabama · Alabama$36.16−$10.16

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

Every other payment area

76937 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$35.62—
ArizonaArizona$39.31—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$42.90—
Chico, CACalifornia$42.78—
El Centro, CACalifornia$42.79—
Fresno, CACalifornia$42.78—
Hanford, CACalifornia$42.78—
Madera, CACalifornia$42.78—

76937 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.

$35.62

$48.32

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

View every state and territory as a table
76937 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$46.571
AL$36.161
AR$35.621
AZ$39.311
CA$42.78–$53.8529
CO$42.121
CT$43.151
DC$46.321
DE$39.981
FL$39.79–$43.663
GA$37.50–$41.182
GU$43.881
HI$43.881
IA$37.111
ID$37.361
IL$38.61–$42.364
IN$37.581
KS$36.931
KY$37.041
LA$36.98–$38.862
MA$41.86–$46.372
MD$40.76–$46.323
ME$37.56–$39.662
MI$38.03–$40.302
MN$40.331
MO$36.32–$39.013
MS$35.981
MT$40.411
NC$37.961
ND$39.621
NE$37.321
NH$41.451
NJ$43.64–$45.822
NM$38.241
NV$40.221
NY$38.55–$47.745
OH$37.871
OK$36.971
OR$39.90–$43.492
PA$37.93–$42.052
PR$40.721
RI$41.421
SC$37.981
SD$39.531
TN$37.121
TX$37.67–$41.998
UT$38.521
VA$39.52–$46.322
VI$40.721
VT$39.461
WA$41.78–$47.332
WI$38.261
WV$37.141
WY$40.071

See 76937 in every payment locality

How the 76937 rate is calculated

Each of 76937’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 · 76937

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.88

0.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.2100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$40.42

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

8,862

Code
76937
Physician work
0.29
Practice expense
0.88
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 76937 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.29× 1.0540.3057
Practice expense0.88× 1.1781.0366
Malpractice0.04× 1.1130.0445
Total RVUs1.3868
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$46.32

Office: (0.29 × 1.054 + 0.88 × 1.178 + 0.04 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $46.32

Open 76937 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 76937

The CMS indicators that decide how 76937 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 76937

Vascular access guidance, ultrasound guidance

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
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

76937 without 26 · national office

$40.42

Vascular access guidance, ultrasound guidance

76937-26 · Professional component

$13.69

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 76937

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

Codes related to 76937
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Primary code
36556Central line insertion, age 5 years or olderCommon primary procedure for non-tunneled central venous catheter placement.$272.56
36558Tunneled catheter, age 5 years or olderTunneled central venous catheter placement may be the primary access procedure.$907.84
36569PICC insertion, age 5 or older, no imagingPICC placement may be the primary access procedure.No office rate
36620Arterial catheter, percutaneous placementArterial catheter placement can be paired when ultrasound vascular access guidance is performed.No office rate
Used instead
76942Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localizationUltrasound guidance for needle placement in procedures such as biopsy, rather than vascular access.$72.77

How 76937 has changed in Washington, DC area

76937 · Office / nonfacility

$46.32

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $43.01 to $46.32 (7.7%).

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

    $43.01changed to$46.32

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • 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

    $44.25changed to$43.01

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.81 changed to 0.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $43.53changed to$44.25

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $46.96changed to$43.53

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.84 changed to 0.81
    • 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

    $48.20changed to$46.96

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.85 changed to 0.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.04
    • 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

    $46.44changed to$48.20

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.85

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $43.57changed to$46.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.80
    • 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

    $40.00changed to$43.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.71
    • 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

    $36.92changed to$40.00

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.57 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $36.85changed to$36.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • 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

    $36.80changed to$36.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $37.85changed to$36.80

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $37.66changed to$37.85

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $42.29changed to$37.66

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.57
    • 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

    $42.00changed to$42.29

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.68
    • 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: $42.00

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$46.32Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$46.32Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$46.32Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$46.32Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$43.01Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$43.01Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$43.01Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$43.01Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$44.25Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$44.25Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$44.25Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$44.25Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$43.53Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$46.96Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$46.96Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$46.96Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$46.96Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$48.20Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$48.20Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$48.20Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$48.20Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$46.44Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$46.44Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$46.44Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$46.44Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$43.57Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$43.57Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$43.57Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$43.57Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$36.92Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$36.92Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$36.92Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$36.92Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$36.85Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$36.85Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$36.85Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$36.85Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$36.80Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$36.80Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$36.80Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$36.80Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$37.85Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$37.85Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$37.66Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$37.66Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$42.29Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$42.29Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$42.29Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$42.29Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$42.00Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$42.00Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$42.00Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$42.00Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 76937 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

76937 billing questions

What documentation supports 76937?

The record should show evaluation of potential access sites, patency of the selected vessel, real-time visualization of needle entry, and permanent image recording.

Can 76937 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary vascular access procedure.

Which modifiers apply to 76937?

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

Is 76937 the same as ultrasound guidance for a biopsy?

No. 76937 is for vascular access, including documented vessel assessment and real-time needle entry. Code 76942 relates to ultrasound guidance for needle placement in procedures such as biopsy.

Can 76937 be reported with PICC placement?

It may be reported as an add-on with a qualifying PICC placement procedure when the required ultrasound assessment, real-time guidance, and image documentation are 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 76937PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,862 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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