CPT code 78015: Thyroid metastasis imaging, limited anatomic area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Riverside, CA
Nuclear medicine imaging of a focused body region evaluates residual or metastatic thyroid cancer, commonly in the neck and chest after thyroidectomy.
In Riverside, CA, Medicare pays $221.33 for 78015 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78015 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 78015 covers
This study images a focused region for iodine-avid thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy, such as the neck and chest when evaluating residual thyroid tissue or suspected spread. A nuclear medicine technologist acquires the images, and a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist interprets them. The service is generally performed in a hospital or outpatient nuclear medicine department after administration of the imaging radiopharmaceutical.
Report 78015 when the examination is limited to a defined area rather than covering the whole body. The order and report should support the thyroid cancer indication, the region imaged, and the findings. The code represents a diagnostic test with separately identifiable professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier for 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 Riverside, CA compares for 78015
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78015 runs from $177.45 in Arkansas to $284.65 in San Benito County, CA. Riverside, CA pays $221.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Riverside, CA · this page$221.33
- Bakersfield, CA · California$220.70−$0.63
- Chico, CA · California$220.46−$0.87
- El Centro, CA · California$220.47−$0.86
- Fresno, CA · California$220.46−$0.87
- Hanford, CA · California$220.46−$0.87
- Los Angeles, CA · California$236.96+$15.63
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $261.28 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $236.38 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $232.91 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $232.08 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $238.73 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $278.37 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $278.28 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $284.65 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $284.28 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $228.19 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $241.93 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $233.28 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $244.46 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $261.15 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $220.46 | — |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $237.54 | — |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $215.53 | — |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $208.59 | — |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $236.15 | — |
| AlaskaAlaska | $225.42 | — |
| AlabamaAlabama | $180.46 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $177.45 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $198.12 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $215.26 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $218.91 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $201.76 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $208.57 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $197.52 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $207.56 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $185.19 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $227.57 | — |
| IowaIowa | $187.19 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $188.30 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $192.41 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $189.95 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $211.15 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $189.59 | — |
| KansasKansas | $185.50 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $183.91 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $193.84 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $183.30 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $239.54 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $213.41 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $218.18 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $206.23 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $188.69 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $201.48 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $199.62 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $188.79 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $207.41 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $193.06 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $195.46 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $179.21 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $178.40 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $204.07 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $191.08 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $202.49 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $188.58 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $211.11 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $234.38 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $221.74 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $189.70 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $203.81 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $241.72 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $222.69 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $239.35 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $194.30 | — |
| OhioOhio | $188.47 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $184.26 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $223.69 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $202.57 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $212.35 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $189.20 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $206.02 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $210.13 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $190.02 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $202.31 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $186.49 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $214.24 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $187.72 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $202.05 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $203.18 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $201.41 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $202.54 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $204.00 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $194.66 | — |
| UtahUtah | $193.03 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $200.24 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $206.02 | — |
| VermontVermont | $200.96 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $213.25 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $245.47 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $194.68 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $181.69 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $203.38 | — |
78015 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.
$177.45
$252.56
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $225.42 | 1 |
| AL | $180.46 | 1 |
| AR | $177.45 | 1 |
| AZ | $198.12 | 1 |
| CA | $220.46–$284.65 | 29 |
| CO | $215.26 | 1 |
| CT | $218.91 | 1 |
| DC | $237.54 | 1 |
| DE | $201.76 | 1 |
| FL | $197.52–$215.53 | 3 |
| GA | $185.19–$207.56 | 2 |
| GU | $227.57 | 1 |
| HI | $227.57 | 1 |
| IA | $187.19 | 1 |
| ID | $188.30 | 1 |
| IL | $189.95–$211.15 | 4 |
| IN | $189.59 | 1 |
| KS | $185.50 | 1 |
| KY | $183.91 | 1 |
| LA | $183.30–$193.84 | 2 |
| MA | $213.41–$239.54 | 2 |
| MD | $206.23–$237.54 | 3 |
| ME | $188.69–$201.48 | 2 |
| MI | $188.79–$199.62 | 2 |
| MN | $207.41 | 1 |
| MO | $179.21–$195.46 | 3 |
| MS | $178.40 | 1 |
| MT | $204.07 | 1 |
| NC | $191.08 | 1 |
| ND | $202.49 | 1 |
| NE | $188.58 | 1 |
| NH | $211.11 | 1 |
| NJ | $221.74–$234.38 | 2 |
| NM | $189.70 | 1 |
| NV | $203.81 | 1 |
| NY | $194.30–$241.72 | 5 |
| OH | $188.47 | 1 |
| OK | $184.26 | 1 |
| OR | $202.57–$223.69 | 2 |
| PA | $189.20–$212.35 | 2 |
| PR | $206.02 | 1 |
| RI | $210.13 | 1 |
| SC | $190.02 | 1 |
| SD | $202.31 | 1 |
| TN | $186.49 | 1 |
| TX | $187.72–$214.24 | 8 |
| UT | $193.03 | 1 |
| VA | $200.24–$237.54 | 2 |
| VI | $206.02 | 1 |
| VT | $200.96 | 1 |
| WA | $213.25–$245.47 | 2 |
| WI | $194.68 | 1 |
| WV | $181.69 | 1 |
| WY | $203.38 | 1 |
How the 78015 rate is calculated
Each of 78015’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 · 78015
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.65
0.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.38
5.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.1100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$204.08
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Riverside, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,188
- Code
- 78015
- Physician work
- 0.65
- Practice expense
- 5.38
- Malpractice
- 0.08
GPCI2026.csv
20
- Locality
- Riverside, CA
- Physician work
- 1.018
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.853
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.65 | × 1.018 | 0.6617 |
| Practice expense | 5.38 | × 1.096 | 5.8965 |
| Malpractice | 0.08 | × 0.853 | 0.0682 |
| Total RVUs | 6.6264 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Riverside, CA$221.33
Office: (0.65 × 1.018 + 5.38 × 1.096 + 0.08 × 0.853) × $33.4009 = $221.33
Payment rules and modifiers for 78015
The CMS indicators that decide how 78015 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78015
Thyroid metastasis imaging, limited anatomic area
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
78015 without 26 · national office
$204.08
Thyroid metastasis imaging, limited anatomic area
78015-26 · Professional component
$31.06
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78015 has changed in Riverside, CA
78015 · Office / nonfacility
$221.33
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $219.51 to $221.33 (0.8%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$219.51changed to$221.33
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.67 changed to 0.65
- Practice expense RVU 5.53 changed to 5.38
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.018
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.853
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$229.17changed to$219.51
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.62 changed to 5.53
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$225.43changed to$229.17
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$234.83changed to$225.43
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.62
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.924 changed to 0.892
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$238.74changed to$234.83
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.76 changed to 5.72
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.924
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$246.50changed to$238.74
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.92 changed to 5.76
- Malpractice GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.955
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$246.49changed to$246.50
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 5.68 changed to 5.92
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.830 changed to 0.896
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$248.34changed to$246.49
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 5.68
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.753 changed to 0.830
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$250.20changed to$248.34
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 5.79 changed to 5.73
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.021
- Malpractice GPCI 0.689 changed to 0.753
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$248.86changed to$250.20
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 5.75 changed to 5.79
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.626 changed to 0.689
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$248.86
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $221.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $221.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $221.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $221.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $219.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $219.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $219.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $219.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $229.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $229.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $229.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $229.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $225.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $234.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $234.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $234.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $234.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $238.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $238.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $238.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $238.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $246.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $246.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $246.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $246.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $246.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $246.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $246.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $246.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $248.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $248.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $248.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $248.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $250.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $250.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $250.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $250.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $248.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $248.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $248.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $248.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Riverside, CA rate applies
Riverside, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 127 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Ontario
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Adelanto
- Aguanga
- Anza
- Apple Valley
- Baker
78015 billing questions
When should 78015 be chosen instead of 78016?
Use 78015 for imaging confined to a limited region, such as the neck and chest. Use 78016 when the examination covers the whole body.
How does 78015 differ from 78018?
78015 describes limited-area imaging. 78018 is the whole-body study performed with SPECT.
Which modifier identifies the interpretation?
Append modifier 26 when billing only the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical service, while billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Is 78015 the same as a thyroid uptake measurement?
No. 78015 reports imaging for thyroid cancer in a limited region; 78012 is a thyroid uptake measurement rather than this metastasis-imaging service.
What documentation supports 78015?
The record should identify the thyroid cancer indication, the body region examined, and the imaging findings. The report should make clear that the examination was limited in coverage rather than whole body.
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
Fee sheets · Coming soon
Put 78015 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Join the waitlist