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CPT code 78012: Thyroid uptake, uptake measurement only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports measurement of thyroid radiotracer concentration, commonly during evaluation of hyperthyroidism when uptake data are needed without thyroid imaging.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality809 Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $79.19 for 78012 in the office.

$79.19Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.2%vs the national office rate ($80.16)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78012 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 78012 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 78012 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 78012 covers

This nuclear medicine test measures how much administered radiotracer the thyroid concentrates, using one or more measurements rather than producing a diagnostic thyroid image. It is commonly part of an evaluation of abnormal thyroid function, such as determining whether hyperthyroidism is associated with increased or decreased gland uptake. A nuclear medicine technologist performs the tracer handling and measurement; a qualified physician interprets the results. The service is performed in a nuclear medicine department or other equipped outpatient setting.

Report 78012 when the service consists of thyroid uptake measurement, not a combined uptake-and-imaging study. Documentation should identify the tracer and record the measurement or measurements and the physician’s interpretation. When thyroid imaging is also performed with uptake measurements, 78014 describes the combined service; do not separately report 78012 for the uptake portion included in that study. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim 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 Delaware compares for 78012

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78012 runs from $69.29 in Arkansas to $112.28 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $79.19. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78012 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$79.19
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$93.24+$14.05
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$93.56+$14.37
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$85.18+$5.99
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$82.30+$3.11
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$93.09+$13.90
  7. Alaska · Alaska$87.45+$8.26

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

Every other payment area

78012 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$70.52—
ArkansasArkansas$69.29—
ArizonaArizona$77.72—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$86.72—
Chico, CACalifornia$86.61—
El Centro, CACalifornia$86.61—
Fresno, CACalifornia$86.61—
Hanford, CACalifornia$86.61—

78012 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.

$69.29

$99.45

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

View every state and territory as a table
78012 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$87.451
AL$70.521
AR$69.291
AZ$77.721
CA$86.61–$112.2829
CO$84.581
CT$86.151
DC$93.561
DE$79.191
FL$77.65–$85.183
GA$72.59–$81.612
GU$89.531
HI$89.531
IA$73.201
ID$73.661
IL$74.61–$83.194
IN$74.181
KS$72.541
KY$72.001
LA$71.77–$76.072
MA$83.83–$94.342
MD$80.99–$93.563
ME$73.86–$79.022
MI$74.03–$78.542
MN$81.321
MO$70.13–$76.693
MS$69.741
MT$80.161
NC$74.821
ND$79.371
NE$73.751
NH$82.971
NJ$87.21–$92.252
NM$74.411
NV$80.011
NY$76.14–$95.415
OH$73.871
OK$72.111
OR$79.48–$87.972
PA$74.15–$83.512
PR$80.941
RI$82.531
SC$74.451
SD$79.281
TN$72.951
TX$73.54–$84.238
UT$75.681
VA$78.54–$93.562
VI$80.941
VT$78.781
WA$83.77–$96.692
WI$76.191
WV$71.241
WY$79.811

See 78012 in every payment locality

How the 78012 rate is calculated

Each of 78012’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 · 78012

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.19

0.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.17

2.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.4000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$80.16

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,179

Code
78012
Physician work
0.19
Practice expense
2.17
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 78012 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.19× 1.0050.1909
Practice expense2.17× 0.9882.1440
Malpractice0.04× 0.8990.0360
Total RVUs2.3709
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$79.19

Office: (0.19 × 1.005 + 2.17 × 0.988 + 0.04 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $79.19

Open 78012 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78012

The CMS indicators that decide how 78012 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78012

Thyroid uptake, uptake measurement only

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

78012 without 26 · national office

$80.16

Thyroid uptake, uptake measurement only

78012-26 · Professional component

$8.68

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78012

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

Codes related to 78012
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Used instead
78014Thyroid scan, quantitative uptake measurementUsed when thyroid imaging is performed with uptake measurements.$208.30
78013Thyroid imaging, with blood-flow imagingReports thyroid imaging without the uptake measurements covered by 78012.$164.07
78020Thyroid uptake, whole-body metastasis measurementMeasures uptake in thyroid carcinoma metastases rather than native-gland function.$78.43

How 78012 has changed in Delaware

78012 · Office / nonfacility

$79.19

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $78.02 to $79.19 (1.5%).

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

    $78.02changed to$79.19

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.17
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $80.29changed to$78.02

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $78.98changed to$80.29

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $82.46changed to$78.98

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.18 changed to 2.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $84.25changed to$82.46

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.18
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $85.31changed to$84.25

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.16 changed to 2.15

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $85.75changed to$85.31

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.10 changed to 2.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $85.96changed to$85.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $86.97changed to$85.96

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $86.43changed to$86.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.13 changed to 2.15
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $84.83changed to$86.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.08 changed to 2.13
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $85.51changed to$84.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.09 changed to 2.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $85.08changed to$85.51

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $81.14changed to$85.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 2.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $86.21changed to$81.14

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 1.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $86.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$79.19Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$79.19Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$79.19Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$79.19Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$78.02Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$78.02Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$78.02Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$78.02Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$80.29Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$80.29Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$80.29Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$80.29Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$78.98Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$84.25Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$84.25Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$84.25Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$84.25Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$85.31Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$85.31Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$85.31Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$85.31Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$85.75Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$85.75Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$85.75Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$85.75Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$85.96Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$85.96Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$85.96Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$85.96Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$86.97Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$86.97Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$86.97Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$86.97Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$86.43Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$86.43Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$86.43Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$86.43Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$84.83Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$84.83Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$84.83Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$84.83Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$85.51Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$85.51Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$85.08Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$85.08Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$81.14Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$81.14Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$81.14Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$81.14Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$86.21Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$86.21Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$86.21Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$86.21Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78012 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

78012 billing questions

How do I choose between 78012 and 78014?

Use 78012 for uptake measurement without thyroid imaging. Use 78014 when the service includes thyroid imaging along with uptake measurements.

Can 78012 be reported with 78014 for the same study?

No. The uptake measurements are part of the combined service described by 78014, so reporting 78012 separately would duplicate that portion.

Which modifiers identify the professional and technical portions?

Modifier 26 reports the physician’s interpretation, while modifier TC reports the technical service. Reporting without either modifier represents the global service.

Does the number of uptake measurements change the code?

78012 covers a single measurement or multiple measurements. Document the measurement or measurements performed and the interpretation.

What documentation supports 78012?

The record should identify the administered tracer, document the thyroid uptake measurement or measurements, and include the interpreting physician’s findings.

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 78012PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,179 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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