CPT code 77081: Bone density, appendicular skeleton2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Mississippi

Reports DXA measurement of bone mineral density at one or more peripheral skeletal sites, such as the forearm, rather than the spine or hip.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality135.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Mississippi, Medicare pays $28.17 for 77081 in the office.

$28.17Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−11.2%vs the national office rate ($31.73)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 77081 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 77081 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Mississippi
  2. What 77081 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 77081 covers

This service uses dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone mineral density at an appendicular, or peripheral, skeletal site. A common example is measurement at the forearm. The test may be part of an osteoporosis evaluation when a peripheral measurement is needed; the acquisition is typically performed by radiology or bone-density staff, with interpretation by a physician or other qualified professional. The report should identify the site examined and include the findings and interpretation.

Report this code for the peripheral DXA study, not for central measurements of the spine or hip. The CMS physician fee schedule recognizes separate professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff service, and no modifier represents the global service. Documentation should support the appendicular site measured and the service actually furnished. The descriptor encompasses one or more peripheral sites as a single study.

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 Mississippi compares for 77081

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 77081 runs from $27.97 in Arkansas to $42.93 in San Benito County, CA. Mississippi pays $28.17. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

77081 in Mississippi vs other payment areas
  1. Mississippi · this page$28.17
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$36.24+$8.07
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$36.51+$8.34
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$33.75+$5.58
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$32.76+$4.59
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$36.50+$8.33
  7. Alaska · Alaska$36.36+$8.19

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

Every other payment area

77081 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$28.39—
ArkansasArkansas$27.97—
ArizonaArizona$30.88—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$33.94—
Chico, CACalifornia$33.88—
El Centro, CACalifornia$33.88—
Fresno, CACalifornia$33.88—
Hanford, CACalifornia$33.88—

77081 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.

$27.97

$38.41

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

View every state and territory as a table
77081 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$36.361
AL$28.391
AR$27.971
AZ$30.881
CA$33.88–$42.9329
CO$33.231
CT$33.881
DC$36.511
DE$31.401
FL$30.99–$33.753
GA$29.23–$32.282
GU$34.791
HI$34.791
IA$29.261
ID$29.431
IL$29.99–$32.954
IN$29.611
KS$29.061
KY$28.971
LA$28.90–$30.382
MA$32.99–$36.662
MD$32.04–$36.513
ME$29.53–$31.262
MI$29.70–$31.342
MN$31.971
MO$28.35–$30.563
MS$28.171
MT$31.731
NC$29.861
ND$31.331
NE$29.441
NH$32.651
NJ$34.31–$36.102
NM$29.841
NV$31.641
NY$30.31–$37.345
OH$29.611
OK$28.971
OR$31.43–$34.372
PA$29.69–$32.982
PR$31.991
RI$32.591
SC$29.781
SD$31.291
TN$29.201
TX$29.49–$33.088
UT$30.201
VA$31.12–$36.512
VI$31.991
VT$31.161
WA$32.95–$37.482
WI$30.241
WV$28.821
WY$31.561

See 77081 in every payment locality

How the 77081 rate is calculated

Each of 77081’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 · 77081

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.73

0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.9500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$31.73

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

The exact Mississippi inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,010

Code
77081
Physician work
0.20
Practice expense
0.73
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

67

Locality
Mississippi
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.861
Malpractice
0.739
Office calculation for 77081 in Mississippi
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.20× 1.0000.2000
Practice expense0.73× 0.8610.6285
Malpractice0.02× 0.7390.0148
Total RVUs0.8433
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Mississippi$28.17

Office: (0.2 × 1 + 0.73 × 0.861 + 0.02 × 0.739) × $33.4009 = $28.17

Open 77081 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 77081

The CMS indicators that decide how 77081 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 77081

Bone density, appendicular skeleton

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

77081 without 26 · national office

$31.73

Bone density, appendicular skeleton

77081-26 · Professional component

$9.35

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 77081 has changed in Mississippi

77081 · Office / nonfacility

$28.17

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.81 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $27.36 to $28.17 (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

    $27.36changed to$28.17

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.74 changed to 0.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.852 changed to 0.861
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.739

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $27.87changed to$27.36

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.74

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $27.42changed to$27.87

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $27.93changed to$27.42

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.847 changed to 0.852
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.720 changed to 0.768
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $27.78changed to$27.93

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.72
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.842 changed to 0.847
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.671 changed to 0.720

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $28.01changed to$27.78

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $28.91changed to$28.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.856 changed to 0.842
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.521 changed to 0.671

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $30.05changed to$28.91

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.856
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.370 changed to 0.521

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $25.73changed to$30.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.20
    • Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.72

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $25.36changed to$25.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.56
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.867 changed to 0.870
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.370

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $25.33changed to$25.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.864 changed to 0.867
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.613 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $25.42changed to$25.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $25.30changed to$25.42

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $25.11changed to$25.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.55
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.865 changed to 0.864
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.687 changed to 0.613

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $25.68changed to$25.11

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.54
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.865
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.761 changed to 0.687

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $25.68

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$28.17Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$28.17Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$28.17Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$28.17Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$27.36Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$27.36Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$27.36Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$27.36Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$27.87Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$27.87Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$27.87Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$27.87Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$27.42Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$27.93Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$27.93Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$27.93Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$27.93Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$27.78Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$27.78Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$27.78Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$27.78Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$28.01Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$28.01Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$28.01Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$28.01Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$28.91Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$28.91Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$28.91Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$28.91Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$30.05Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$30.05Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$30.05Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$30.05Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$25.73Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$25.73Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$25.73Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$25.73Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$25.36Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$25.36Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$25.36Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$25.36Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$25.33Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$25.33Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$25.33Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$25.33Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$25.42Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$25.42Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$25.30Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$25.30Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$25.11Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$25.11Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$25.11Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$25.11Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$25.68Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$25.68Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$25.68Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$25.68Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 77081 for an earlier date of service

Where the Mississippi rate applies

Mississippi is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 427 cities and communities in Mississippi. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Aberdeen
  • Ackerman
  • Agricola
  • Alcorn State University
  • Algoma
  • Alligator
  • Amory

Browse all communities in Mississippi

77081 billing questions

How does this differ from 77080?

This code is for DXA measurement at an appendicular, or peripheral, site. Code 77080 is for central DXA measurement, such as at the spine or hip.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Append modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Report the global service without either modifier.

Can more than one peripheral site be included?

The service covers one or more appendicular sites. Document the site or sites measured; the code describes the study rather than a separate charge for each site.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The record should identify the peripheral skeletal site measured and include the DXA findings and interpretation. The documentation should make clear that the study evaluated an appendicular site, not the spine or hip.

Should this code be used when vertebral fracture assessment is also performed?

Code 77085 describes axial DXA with vertebral fracture assessment. Use this code for a peripheral DXA study; the services should not be treated as interchangeable.

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 77081PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,010 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MississippiGPCI2026.csv, line 67 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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