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CPT code 77261: Radiation planning, simple complexity2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in King County, WA

Reports the radiation oncologist’s professional planning work for a simple radiation treatment approach after review of the patient’s clinical and tumor information.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality13.6K Medicare services in 2024

In King County, WA, Medicare pays $77.19 for 77261 in the office and $77.19 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$77.19Office (non-facility)
$77.19Hospital or facility
+10.6%vs the national office rate ($69.81)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 77261 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 77261 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in King County, WA
  2. What 77261 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 77261 covers

A radiation oncologist uses this service to develop a simple external-beam radiation treatment approach after reviewing relevant clinical information, such as the cancer diagnosis, disease extent, imaging, and prior treatment. Planning may include defining the treatment approach and determining the intended dose and beam arrangement. It is performed in radiation oncology practices and hospital-based cancer centers as part of preparing a patient’s course of treatment.

Select the simple level based on the documented complexity of the physician’s planning work; do not infer the level from a field count alone. The record should support the clinical information reviewed and the treatment decisions made. CMS identifies 77261 as a professional-component-only service: it represents the physician’s interpretation and report, while a separate code accounts for the technical portion. Field simulation and dosimetry calculations are distinct services when performed and documented; this planning code does not itself describe those services.

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 King County, WA compares for 77261

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 77261 runs from $65.14 in Arkansas to $91.60 in Alaska. King County, WA pays $77.19. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

77261 in King County, WA vs other payment areas
  1. King County, WA · this page$77.19
  2. Rest of Washington · Washington$71.13−$6.06
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$75.35−$1.84
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$76.82−$0.37
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$74.41−$2.78
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$73.26−$3.93
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$77.95+$0.76

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

Every other payment area

77261 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$91.60$91.60
AlabamaAlabama$65.66$65.66
ArkansasArkansas$65.14$65.14
ArizonaArizona$68.69$68.69
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$72.10$72.10
Chico, CACalifornia$71.85$71.85
El Centro, CACalifornia$71.86$71.86
Fresno, CACalifornia$71.85$71.85

77261 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.

$65.14

$91.60

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

View every state and territory as a table
77261 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$91.601
AL$65.661
AR$65.141
AZ$68.691
CA$71.85–$84.4629
CO$71.411
CT$73.081
DC$76.821
DE$69.481
FL$69.88–$74.413
GA$67.55–$70.812
GU$72.261
HI$72.261
IA$66.271
ID$66.571
IL$68.94–$73.264
IN$66.781
KS$66.241
KY$66.831
LA$66.83–$68.652
MA$71.34–$76.152
MD$70.34–$76.823
ME$66.92–$68.722
MI$67.93–$70.542
MN$68.891
MO$66.29–$68.613
MS$65.721
MT$69.801
NC$67.291
ND$68.421
NE$66.421
NH$70.541
NJ$74.04–$76.652
NM$68.201
NV$69.441
NY$67.86–$79.265
OH$67.651
OK$66.611
OR$69.01–$72.672
PA$67.63–$72.052
PR$70.051
RI$71.191
SC$67.551
SD$68.261
TN$66.451
TX$67.39–$71.088
UT$68.071
VA$68.69–$76.822
VI$70.051
VT$68.401
WA$71.13–$77.192
WI$67.141
WV$67.531
WY$69.201

See 77261 in every payment locality

How the 77261 rate is calculated

Each of 77261’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 · 77261

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.27

1.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.75

0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.0900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$69.81

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

The exact King County, WA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,026

Code
77261
Physician work
1.27
Practice expense
0.75
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

108

Locality
King County, WA
Physician work
1.050
Practice expense
1.227
Malpractice
0.817
Office calculation for 77261 in King County, WA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.27× 1.0501.3335
Practice expense0.75× 1.2270.9203
Malpractice0.07× 0.8170.0572
Total RVUs2.3109
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, King County, WA$77.19

Office: (1.27 × 1.05 + 0.75 × 1.227 + 0.07 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $77.19

Facility: (1.27 × 1.05 + 0.75 × 1.227 + 0.07 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $77.19

Open 77261 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 77261

The CMS indicators that decide how 77261 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 77261

Radiation planning, simple complexity

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/technical2Professional component only.

Codes related to 77261

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

Codes related to 77261
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, King County, WA
Same family
77262Radiation planning, intermediate complexityIntermediate-complexity radiation treatment planning.$118.38
77263Treatment planning, complex planningComplex radiation treatment planning.$185.18
Often billed with
77280Radiation simulation, simple field setupSimple field simulation is a distinct service that may occur during the planning encounter.$326.16
77300Dosimetry calculation, basic, per calculationBasic radiation dosimetry calculation is a distinct planning-related service when performed.$78.28

How 77261 has changed in King County, WA

77261 · Office / nonfacility

$77.19

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $75.51 to $77.19 (2.2%).

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

    $75.51changed to$77.19

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.30 changed to 1.27
    • Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.043 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.227
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.817

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $77.05changed to$75.51

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $75.79changed to$77.05

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $77.43changed to$75.79

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.73
    • Work GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.043
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.220
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.815 changed to 0.853

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $77.54changed to$77.43

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.039
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.207
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.776 changed to 0.815

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $77.34changed to$77.54

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $78.59changed to$77.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.67
    • Work GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.036
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.170 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.854 changed to 0.776

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $77.57changed to$78.59

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.031
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.146 changed to 1.170
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.854

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $77.48changed to$77.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $81.57changed to$77.48

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work RVU 1.39 changed to 1.30
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.64
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.151 changed to 1.146
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.713 changed to 0.931

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $79.90changed to$81.57

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.68
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.155 changed to 1.151
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.495 changed to 0.713

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $79.77changed to$79.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $79.38changed to$79.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $78.63changed to$79.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.150 changed to 1.155
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.688 changed to 0.495

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $75.21changed to$78.63

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.144 changed to 1.150
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.881 changed to 0.688

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $75.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$77.19$77.19RVU26D
2026-07-01$77.19$77.19RVU26C
2026-04-01$77.19$77.19RVU26B
2026-01-01$77.19$77.19RVU26A
2025-10-01$75.51$75.51RVU25D
2025-07-01$75.51$75.51RVU25C
2025-04-01$75.51$75.51RVU25B
2025-01-01$75.51$75.51RVU25A
2024-10-01$77.05$77.05RVU24D
2024-07-01$77.05$77.05RVU24C
2024-04-01$77.05$77.05RVU24B
2024-03-09$77.05$77.05RVU24AR
2024-01-01$75.79$75.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$77.43$77.43RVU23D
2023-07-01$77.43$77.43RVU23C
2023-04-01$77.43$77.43RVU23B
2023-01-01$77.43$77.43RVU23A
2022-10-01$77.54$77.54RVU22D
2022-07-01$77.54$77.54RVU22C
2022-04-01$77.54$77.54RVU22B
2022-01-01$77.54$77.54RVU22A
2021-10-01$77.34$77.34RVU21D
2021-07-01$77.34$77.34RVU21C
2021-04-01$77.34$77.34RVU21B
2021-01-01$77.34$77.34RVU21A
2020-10-01$78.59$78.59RVU20D
2020-07-01$78.59$78.59RVU20C
2020-04-01$78.59$78.59RVU20B
2020-01-01$78.59$78.59RVU20A
2019-10-01$77.57$77.57RVU19D
2019-07-01$77.57$77.57RVU19C
2019-04-01$77.57$77.57RVU19B
2019-01-01$77.57$77.57RVU19A
2018-10-01$77.48$77.48RVU18D
2018-07-01$77.48$77.48RVU18C
2018-04-01$77.48$77.48RVU18B
2018-01-01$77.48$77.48RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$81.57$81.57RVU17D
2017-07-01$81.57$81.57RVU17C
2017-04-01$81.57$81.57RVU17B
2017-01-01$81.57$81.57RVU17A
2016-10-01$79.90$79.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$79.90$79.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$79.90$79.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$79.90$79.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$79.77$79.77RVU15D
2015-07-01$79.77$79.77RVU15C
2015-04-01$79.38$79.38RVU15B
2015-01-01$79.38$79.38RVU15A
2014-10-01$78.63$78.63RVU14D
2014-07-01$78.63$78.63RVU14C
2014-04-01$78.63$78.63RVU14B
2014-01-01$78.63$78.63RVU14A
2013-10-01$75.21$75.21RVU13D
2013-07-01$75.21$75.21RVU13C
2013-04-01$75.21$75.21RVU13B
2013-01-01$75.21$75.21RVU13AR

Price 77261 for an earlier date of service

Where the King County, WA rate applies

King County, WA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 63 cities and communities in Washington. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Seattle
  • Algona
  • Ames Lake
  • 77261 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
  • Baring
  • Beaux Arts Village
  • Bellevue
  • Black Diamond

Browse all communities in Washington

77261 billing questions

How does 77261 differ from 77262?

77261 is for simple treatment planning, while 77262 is for intermediate planning. Choose the level supported by the physician’s documented planning complexity rather than relying on a field count alone.

Is treatment simulation included in 77261?

No. Simulation, such as setting up treatment geometry, is a distinct service. Code 77280 describes simple radiation field simulation when that service is performed and documented.

Does 77261 include the technical portion of planning?

No. CMS identifies 77261 as professional-component-only for the physician’s interpretation and report; a separate code covers the technical portion.

What documentation supports the simple planning level?

Document the clinical information reviewed and the physician’s treatment-planning decisions. The record should support why the planning work meets the simple level.

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 77261PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,026 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for King County, WAGPCI2026.csv, line 108 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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