CPT code 76979: Contrast ultrasound, each additional target lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina
Reports dynamic microbubble contrast ultrasound assessment of an additional target lesion after the initial lesion is evaluated with the primary code.
In South Carolina, Medicare pays $100.72 for 76979 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 76979 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 76979 covers
This add-on represents contrast-enhanced ultrasound assessment of another distinct target lesion after the initial lesion. A radiologist or other qualified physician uses ultrasound imaging with microbubble contrast to evaluate lesion perfusion and characterize findings; assessment of treatment response may also be part of the examination. Focal liver lesions are a common setting for this technique. The service is typically performed in a hospital imaging department or outpatient diagnostic imaging setting.
Report 76979 for each additional lesion evaluated after the first lesion reported with 76978. The record should identify the separate target lesions and support dynamic contrast assessment of each one. CMS classifies this as an add-on, so it is billed with the primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period. The diagnostic service may be billed globally or split into its professional interpretation (modifier 26) and technical service (modifier TC); a claim 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 South Carolina compares for 76979
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 76979 runs from $95.03 in Arkansas to $143.11 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $100.72. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Carolina · this page$100.72
- Los Angeles, CA · California$121.47+$20.75
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$122.34+$21.62
- Miami, FL · Florida$113.11+$12.39
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$110.06+$9.34
- Manhattan, NY · New York$122.33+$21.61
- Alaska · Alaska$124.86+$24.14
Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $96.37 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $95.03 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $104.20 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $114.03 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $113.84 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $132.18 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $120.95 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $114.49 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $119.53 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $119.08 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $121.92 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $140.07 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $140.00 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $143.11 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $142.83 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $117.15 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $123.12 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $119.54 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $124.38 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $132.08 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $113.83 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $111.71 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $113.80 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $105.89 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $109.51 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $104.50 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $108.60 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $98.93 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $116.61 | — |
| IowaIowa | $99.12 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $99.65 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $102.74 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $101.30 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $110.71 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $100.22 | — |
| KansasKansas | $98.48 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $98.15 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $102.60 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $97.93 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $122.77 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $111.01 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $113.43 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $107.92 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $99.95 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $105.45 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $105.56 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $100.43 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $107.71 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $102.13 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $103.18 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $96.18 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $95.64 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $106.88 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $100.99 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $105.69 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $99.70 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $109.80 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $121.11 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $115.28 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $100.88 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $106.63 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $124.96 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $115.88 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $123.59 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $102.43 | — |
| OhioOhio | $100.19 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $98.18 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $115.38 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $105.98 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $110.93 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $100.45 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $107.70 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $109.74 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $105.55 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $98.93 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $111.18 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $99.80 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $105.97 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $106.54 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $105.79 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $106.22 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $107.32 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $102.75 | — |
| UtahUtah | $102.05 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $104.98 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $107.70 | — |
| VermontVermont | $105.12 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $110.85 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $125.42 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $102.26 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $97.64 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $106.36 | — |
76979 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.
$95.03
$128.47
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 | $124.86 | 1 |
| AL | $96.37 | 1 |
| AR | $95.03 | 1 |
| AZ | $104.20 | 1 |
| CA | $113.83–$143.11 | 29 |
| CO | $111.71 | 1 |
| CT | $113.80 | 1 |
| DC | $122.34 | 1 |
| DE | $105.89 | 1 |
| FL | $104.50–$113.11 | 3 |
| GA | $98.93–$108.60 | 2 |
| GU | $116.61 | 1 |
| HI | $116.61 | 1 |
| IA | $99.12 | 1 |
| ID | $99.65 | 1 |
| IL | $101.30–$110.71 | 4 |
| IN | $100.22 | 1 |
| KS | $98.48 | 1 |
| KY | $98.15 | 1 |
| LA | $97.93–$102.60 | 2 |
| MA | $111.01–$122.77 | 2 |
| MD | $107.92–$122.34 | 3 |
| ME | $99.95–$105.45 | 2 |
| MI | $100.43–$105.56 | 2 |
| MN | $107.71 | 1 |
| MO | $96.18–$103.18 | 3 |
| MS | $95.64 | 1 |
| MT | $106.88 | 1 |
| NC | $100.99 | 1 |
| ND | $105.69 | 1 |
| NE | $99.70 | 1 |
| NH | $109.80 | 1 |
| NJ | $115.28–$121.11 | 2 |
| NM | $100.88 | 1 |
| NV | $106.63 | 1 |
| NY | $102.43–$124.96 | 5 |
| OH | $100.19 | 1 |
| OK | $98.18 | 1 |
| OR | $105.98–$115.38 | 2 |
| PA | $100.45–$110.93 | 2 |
| PR | $107.70 | 1 |
| RI | $109.74 | 1 |
| SC | $100.72 | 1 |
| SD | $105.55 | 1 |
| TN | $98.93 | 1 |
| TX | $99.80–$111.18 | 8 |
| UT | $102.05 | 1 |
| VA | $104.98–$122.34 | 2 |
| VI | $107.70 | 1 |
| VT | $105.12 | 1 |
| WA | $110.85–$125.42 | 2 |
| WI | $102.26 | 1 |
| WV | $97.64 | 1 |
| WY | $106.36 | 1 |
How the 76979 rate is calculated
Each of 76979’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 · 76979
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.83
0.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.31
2.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.2000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$106.88
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,895
- Code
- 76979
- Physician work
- 0.83
- Practice expense
- 2.31
- Malpractice
- 0.06
GPCI2026.csv
93
- Locality
- South Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.924
- Malpractice
- 0.850
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.83 | × 1.000 | 0.8300 |
| Practice expense | 2.31 | × 0.924 | 2.1344 |
| Malpractice | 0.06 | × 0.850 | 0.0510 |
| Total RVUs | 3.0154 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Carolina$100.72
Office: (0.83 × 1 + 2.31 × 0.924 + 0.06 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $100.72
Payment rules and modifiers for 76979
The CMS indicators that decide how 76979 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 76979
Contrast ultrasound, each additional target lesion
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| 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
76979 without 26 · national office
$106.88
Contrast ultrasound, each additional target lesion
76979-26 · Professional component
$39.41
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 76979 has changed in South Carolina
76979 · Office / nonfacility
$100.72
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $10.79 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $111.51 to $100.72 (9.7%).
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
$111.51changed to$100.72
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.85 changed to 0.83
- Practice expense RVU 2.80 changed to 2.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
- Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$132.38changed to$111.51
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 2.80
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$130.22changed to$132.38
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$156.86changed to$130.22
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 4.12 changed to 3.38
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$187.49changed to$156.86
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.02 changed to 4.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$201.96changed to$187.49
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.43 changed to 5.02
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$207.05changed to$201.96
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 5.34 changed to 5.43
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
- Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$206.81changed to$207.05
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 5.33 changed to 5.34
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07
- Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
No ratechanged to$206.81
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $100.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $100.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $100.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $100.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $111.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $111.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $111.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $111.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $132.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $132.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $132.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $132.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $130.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $156.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $156.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $156.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $156.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $187.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $187.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $187.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $187.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $201.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $201.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $201.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $201.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $207.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $207.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $207.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $207.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $206.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $206.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $206.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $206.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the South Carolina rate applies
South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbeville
- Abney Crossroads
- Adams Run
- Aiken
- Alcolu
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Andrews
76979 billing questions
When should 76979 be reported instead of 76978?
Use 76978 for the initial target lesion. Report 76979 for each additional distinct lesion assessed with the same dynamic microbubble contrast technique.
Which primary code must accompany 76979?
Report 76979 with 76978, which represents assessment of the initial target lesion. The add-on code is not reported by itself.
Can 76979 be reported for repeated imaging of the same lesion?
The add-on represents an additional lesion, not another pass or image set of the initial lesion. Documentation should distinguish each additional target assessed.
How are the professional and technical services billed?
Bill modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How does 76979 differ from 76983?
76979 represents an additional lesion evaluated with dynamic microbubble contrast. 76983 represents an additional target assessed with ultrasound elastography, a different imaging technique.
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 · Coming soon
Put 76979 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Join the waitlist