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CPT code 77012: CT guidance, needle placement2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Report CT guidance when computed tomography is used to direct percutaneous needle placement, such as for a biopsy or aspiration.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality140.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $127.30 for 77012 in the office.

$127.30Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+3.6%vs the national office rate ($122.92)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 77012 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 77012 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 77012 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 77012 covers

This service covers CT imaging used to plan and guide a needle to a target, with images used to check the needle’s position during placement. Radiologists and interventional radiologists commonly perform it in hospital imaging departments, outpatient radiology centers, or other settings equipped for CT-guided procedures. Typical cases include directing a biopsy needle into a lung, liver, kidney, bone, or soft-tissue lesion. The biopsy, aspiration, or other needle procedure is distinct from the imaging guidance service.

Report 77012 when CT provides the guidance for needle placement, rather than fluoroscopy or MRI. Documentation should support the target, the use of CT to guide placement, and the imaging supervision and interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and reporting the code without either modifier represents the global service. The separately priced components may be billed by different entities when each performs its portion.

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 Colorado compares for 77012

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 77012 runs from $111.31 in Arkansas to $158.03 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $127.30. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

77012 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$127.30
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$136.75+$9.45
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$138.53+$11.23
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$130.93+$3.63
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$127.94+$0.64
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$139.46+$12.16
  7. Alaska · Alaska$150.40+$23.10

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

Every other payment area

77012 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$112.61—
ArkansasArkansas$111.31—
ArizonaArizona$120.24—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$129.33—
Chico, CACalifornia$128.99—
El Centro, CACalifornia$129.01—
Fresno, CACalifornia$128.99—
Hanford, CACalifornia$128.99—

77012 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.

$111.31

$150.40

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

View every state and territory as a table
77012 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$150.401
AL$112.611
AR$111.311
AZ$120.241
CA$128.99–$158.0329
CO$127.301
CT$130.041
DC$138.531
DE$121.971
FL$121.48–$130.933
GA$115.91–$124.872
GU$131.211
HI$131.211
IA$114.881
ID$115.491
IL$118.64–$127.944
IN$116.031
KS$114.461
KY$114.771
LA$114.63–$119.192
MA$126.77–$138.282
MD$123.98–$138.533
ME$115.99–$121.052
MI$117.19–$122.732
MN$122.621
MO$113.06–$119.523
MS$112.201
MT$122.911
NC$116.971
ND$120.931
NE$115.391
NH$125.401
NJ$131.70–$137.542
NM$117.711
NV$122.431
NY$118.38–$142.285
OH$116.781
OK$114.591
OR$121.64–$130.702
PA$116.93–$127.342
PR$123.641
RI$125.821
SC$117.031
SD$120.701
TN$114.931
TX$116.31–$126.748
UT$118.331
VA$120.73–$138.532
VI$123.641
VT$120.561
WA$126.50–$140.822
WI$117.631
WV$115.081
WY$122.051

See 77012 in every payment locality

How the 77012 rate is calculated

Each of 77012’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 · 77012

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.46

1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.12

2.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.6800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$122.92

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,937

Code
77012
Physician work
1.46
Practice expense
2.12
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 77012 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.46× 1.0121.4775
Practice expense2.12× 1.0642.2557
Malpractice0.10× 0.7810.0781
Total RVUs3.8113
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$127.30

Office: (1.46 × 1.012 + 2.12 × 1.064 + 0.1 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $127.30

Open 77012 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 77012

The CMS indicators that decide how 77012 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 77012

CT guidance, needle placement

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

77012 without 26 · national office

$122.92

CT guidance, needle placement

77012-26 · Professional component

$67.14

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 77012

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

Codes related to 77012
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Used instead
77002Fluoroscopy guidance, needle placementFluoroscopic rather than CT guidance for needle placement.$127.71
77021MRI needle guidance, needle placementMRI rather than CT guidance for needle placement.$450.89
77011CT localization, stereotactic guidanceCT guidance for stereotactic localization rather than general needle placement.$232.81
77013CT guidance, parenchymal tissue ablationCT guidance for tissue ablation rather than needle placement for another intervention.No office rate

How 77012 has changed in Colorado

77012 · Office / nonfacility

$127.30

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.39 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $125.91 to $127.30 (1.1%).

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

    $125.91changed to$127.30

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.50 changed to 1.46
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $143.17changed to$125.91

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $140.83changed to$143.17

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $147.64changed to$140.83

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.63 changed to 2.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $150.63changed to$147.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.65 changed to 2.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $154.80changed to$150.63

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.73 changed to 2.65

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $156.57changed to$154.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.66 changed to 2.73
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $155.77changed to$156.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.67 changed to 2.66
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $128.68changed to$155.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Work RVU 1.16 changed to 1.50
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $127.38changed to$128.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $127.19changed to$127.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.27
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $126.89changed to$127.19

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $126.26changed to$126.89

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $129.97changed to$126.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $128.74changed to$129.97

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $128.74

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$127.30Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$127.30Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$127.30Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$127.30Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$125.91Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$125.91Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$125.91Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$125.91Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$143.17Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$143.17Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$143.17Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$143.17Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$140.83Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$147.64Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$147.64Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$147.64Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$147.64Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$150.63Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$150.63Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$150.63Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$150.63Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$154.80Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$154.80Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$154.80Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$154.80Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$156.57Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$156.57Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$156.57Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$156.57Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$155.77Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$155.77Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$155.77Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$155.77Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$128.68Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$128.68Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$128.68Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$128.68Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$127.38Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$127.38Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$127.38Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$127.38Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$127.19Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$127.19Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$127.19Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$127.19Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$126.89Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$126.89Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$126.26Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$126.26Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$129.97Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$129.97Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$129.97Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$129.97Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$128.74Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$128.74Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$128.74Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$128.74Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 77012 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

77012 billing questions

Does 77012 include the biopsy or aspiration?

No. It represents the CT guidance for needle placement; the biopsy, aspiration, or other intervention is a separate service when separately reportable.

When should 77012 be chosen instead of 77002?

Use 77012 when CT guides the needle. Code 77002 is for fluoroscopic needle guidance.

How are modifiers 26 and TC used?

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

What documentation supports reporting 77012?

Document the target and procedure, use of CT to guide needle placement, and the imaging supervision and interpretation. The record should support the component billed.

Is 77012 used for CT-guided tissue ablation?

Use 77013 for CT guidance of tissue ablation. Use 77012 when CT is guiding needle placement for a different intervention, such as a biopsy.

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 77012PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,937 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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