CPT code 77086: Vertebral fracture assessment, DXA imaging only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $34.74 for 77086 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $30.41–$47.60.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 77086 covers

This service uses a DXA scanner to obtain images of the vertebral spine for assessment of vertebral fractures. It is distinct from measuring bone density: the clinician evaluates the vertebrae for fracture findings, often in patients being assessed for osteoporosis or suspected to have an unrecognized vertebral fracture. A technologist typically acquires the images in a bone-density center or imaging department, and a qualified practitioner interprets them and prepares a report.

Report 77086 for the vertebral fracture assessment itself, supported by documentation of the DXA imaging and interpretation. When axial bone-density measurement and vertebral fracture assessment are both performed, distinguish this service from 77085, which combines axial DXA with vertebral fracture assessment. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation and report, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no 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.

Where 77086 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

77086 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 77086 rate is calculated

Each of 77086’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 77086

The CMS indicators that decide how 77086 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

77086 compared with similar codes

How to choose

77085DXA bone densityAxial with fracture assessment

Choose 77086 for the DXA-based vertebral fracture assessment alone. Choose 77085 when axial bone-density measurement and vertebral fracture assessment are performed as the combined service.

77080DXA bone density scanAxial skeleton, spine or hip

77080 measures axial bone density; it does not represent the vertebral fracture assessment described by 77086.

77081Bone densityAppendicular skeleton

77081 measures bone density at appendicular sites, such as the forearm; 77086 assesses vertebral fractures using DXA imaging.

Codes related to 77086

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates