CPT code 76942: Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localization2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Real-time ultrasound guidance for biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localization needle placement, reported when imaging guidance is separately billable from the primary procedure.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $60.99 for 76942 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76942 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 76942 covers
This service covers the imaging portion of a needle procedure: the operator uses ultrasound to locate the target, plan a path, and watch the needle reach its destination. Typical pairings include percutaneous liver and kidney biopsies, needle biopsies of superficial lymph nodes or soft tissue masses, cyst aspirations, and placement of localization devices. Radiologists, interventional specialists, nephrologists, and surgeons perform it in hospital outpatient departments, imaging centers, ASCs, and offices.
Report 76942 with a separate procedure code when ultrasound guidance is not included or bundled with that procedure. Image-guided fine needle aspiration, image-guided breast biopsy, paracentesis, thoracentesis, and ultrasound-guided joint procedure codes already account for guidance. Documentation should identify the target, describe ultrasound visualization of needle placement, and include a retained image and report. CMS prices professional and technical components separately: modifier 26 identifies the documented professional guidance service, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the complete 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 New Mexico compares for 76942
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76942 runs from $57.69 in Arkansas to $84.06 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $60.99. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$60.99
- Los Angeles, CA · California$72.09+$11.10
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$72.77+$11.78
- Miami, FL · Florida$67.86+$6.87
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$66.22+$5.23
- Manhattan, NY · New York$72.96+$11.97
- Alaska · Alaska$77.06+$16.07
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $58.41 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $57.69 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $62.66 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $67.96 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $67.83 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $77.90 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $71.71 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $68.27 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $70.99 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $70.72 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $72.22 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $82.31 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $82.27 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $84.06 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $83.87 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $69.59 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $72.80 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $70.94 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $73.53 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $77.84 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $67.82 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $66.73 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $68.01 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $63.61 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $65.74 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $62.99 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $65.12 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $59.95 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $69.20 | — |
| IowaIowa | $59.83 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $60.14 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $62.20 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $61.31 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $66.42 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $60.44 | — |
| KansasKansas | $59.52 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $59.46 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $61.89 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $59.35 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $72.84 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $66.38 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $67.79 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $64.73 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $60.34 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $63.27 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $63.61 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $60.73 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $64.38 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $61.59 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $62.16 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $58.43 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $58.07 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $64.13 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $60.89 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $63.34 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $60.14 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $65.65 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $72.16 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $68.91 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $63.95 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $74.43 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $69.29 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $73.59 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $61.68 | — |
| OhioOhio | $60.57 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $59.44 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $68.70 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $63.57 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $66.46 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $60.69 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $64.56 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $65.75 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $60.81 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $63.24 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $59.77 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $66.40 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $60.34 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $63.64 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $63.97 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $63.58 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $63.79 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $64.52 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $61.90 | — |
| UtahUtah | $61.53 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $63.04 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $64.56 | — |
| VermontVermont | $63.06 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $66.27 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $74.30 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $61.48 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $59.32 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $63.78 | — |
76942 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.
$57.69
$77.06
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $77.06 | 1 |
| AL | $58.41 | 1 |
| AR | $57.69 | 1 |
| AZ | $62.66 | 1 |
| CA | $67.82–$84.06 | 29 |
| CO | $66.73 | 1 |
| CT | $68.01 | 1 |
| DC | $72.77 | 1 |
| DE | $63.61 | 1 |
| FL | $62.99–$67.86 | 3 |
| GA | $59.95–$65.12 | 2 |
| GU | $69.20 | 1 |
| HI | $69.20 | 1 |
| IA | $59.83 | 1 |
| ID | $60.14 | 1 |
| IL | $61.31–$66.42 | 4 |
| IN | $60.44 | 1 |
| KS | $59.52 | 1 |
| KY | $59.46 | 1 |
| LA | $59.35–$61.89 | 2 |
| MA | $66.38–$72.84 | 2 |
| MD | $64.73–$72.77 | 3 |
| ME | $60.34–$63.27 | 2 |
| MI | $60.73–$63.61 | 2 |
| MN | $64.38 | 1 |
| MO | $58.43–$62.16 | 3 |
| MS | $58.07 | 1 |
| MT | $64.13 | 1 |
| NC | $60.89 | 1 |
| ND | $63.34 | 1 |
| NE | $60.14 | 1 |
| NH | $65.65 | 1 |
| NJ | $68.91–$72.16 | 2 |
| NM | $60.99 | 1 |
| NV | $63.95 | 1 |
| NY | $61.68–$74.43 | 5 |
| OH | $60.57 | 1 |
| OK | $59.44 | 1 |
| OR | $63.57–$68.70 | 2 |
| PA | $60.69–$66.46 | 2 |
| PR | $64.56 | 1 |
| RI | $65.75 | 1 |
| SC | $60.81 | 1 |
| SD | $63.24 | 1 |
| TN | $59.77 | 1 |
| TX | $60.34–$66.40 | 8 |
| UT | $61.53 | 1 |
| VA | $63.04–$72.77 | 2 |
| VI | $64.56 | 1 |
| VT | $63.06 | 1 |
| WA | $66.27–$74.30 | 2 |
| WI | $61.48 | 1 |
| WV | $59.32 | 1 |
| WY | $63.78 | 1 |
How the 76942 rate is calculated
Each of 76942’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 · 76942
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.65
0.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.23
1.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 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 New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,871
- Code
- 76942
- Physician work
- 0.65
- Practice expense
- 1.23
- Malpractice
- 0.04
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.65 | × 1.000 | 0.6500 |
| Practice expense | 1.23 | × 0.917 | 1.1279 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 1.201 | 0.0480 |
| Total RVUs | 1.8259 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, New Mexico$60.99
Office: (0.65 × 1 + 1.23 × 0.917 + 0.04 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $60.99
Payment rules and modifiers for 76942
The CMS indicators that decide how 76942 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 76942
Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localization
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
76942 without 26 · national office
$64.13
Ultrasound needle guidance, biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localization
76942-26 · Professional component
$31.40
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 76942 has changed in New Mexico
76942 · Office / nonfacility
$60.99
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $6.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $54.32 to $60.99 (12.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$54.32changed to$60.99
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.67 changed to 0.65
- Practice expense RVU 1.06 changed to 1.23
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
- Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$54.99changed to$54.32
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.06
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$54.10changed to$54.99
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$55.86changed to$54.10
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$56.21changed to$55.86
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.02
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$55.74changed to$56.21
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 1.00
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$55.74changed to$55.74
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.97
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$55.82changed to$55.74
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.91
- Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$58.74changed to$55.82
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.90
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$58.79changed to$58.74
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 0.99
- Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
- Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$58.97changed to$58.79
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
- Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$58.52changed to$58.97
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.00
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$58.23changed to$58.52
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$70.33changed to$58.23
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 0.98
- Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
- Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$193.09changed to$70.33
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 5.41 changed to 1.35
- Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
- Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $193.09
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $60.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $60.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $60.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $60.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $54.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $54.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $54.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $54.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $54.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $54.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $54.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $54.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $54.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $55.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $55.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $55.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $55.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $56.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $56.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $56.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $56.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $55.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $55.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $55.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $55.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $55.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $58.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $58.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $58.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $58.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $58.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $58.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $58.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $58.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $58.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $58.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $58.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $58.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $58.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $58.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $58.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $58.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $70.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $70.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $70.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $70.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $193.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $193.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $193.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $193.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
76942 billing questions
Can 76942 be reported with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration codes?
No. An ultrasound-guided FNA code such as 10005 includes the guidance. Report 76942 only when guidance is separately billable from the primary needle procedure.
Which modifier applies when a physician performs the biopsy in a hospital outpatient department?
Append modifier 26 only if the physician also performs and documents the professional ultrasound guidance service. The hospital provides the technical portion through its equipment and staff.
What documentation supports 76942?
The record should describe the target and ultrasound-visualized needle placement, with a retained image and report. Ultrasound used only to mark a site before needle placement does not establish real-time guidance.
Can 76942 be billed with an arthrocentesis or joint injection?
When ultrasound guides the joint procedure, report the appropriate ultrasound-guided joint code, such as 20604, 20606, or 20611, rather than pairing a nonguided joint code with 76942.
Is 76942 appropriate for ultrasound-guided vascular access or tissue ablation?
Use 76937 for qualifying ultrasound-guided vascular access and 76940 for ultrasound guidance of tissue ablation. Code 76942 describes guidance for needle placement into a target for procedures such as biopsy or aspiration.
Do repeat needle passes into the same target create additional 76942 units?
No. Repeat passes during the same guided needle procedure do not each create a separate guidance service.
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
Fee sheets
Put 76942 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Build my fee sheet