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CPT code 78015: Thyroid metastasis imaging, limited anatomic area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

Nuclear medicine imaging of a focused body region evaluates residual or metastatic thyroid cancer, commonly in the neck and chest after thyroidectomy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality43 Medicare services in 2024

In Virginia, Medicare pays $200.24 for 78015 in the office.

$200.24Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.9%vs the national office rate ($204.08)

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.

We’ll open 78015 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Virginia
  2. What 78015 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 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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $200.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78015 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$200.24
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$236.96+$36.72
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$237.54+$37.30
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$215.53+$15.29
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$208.59+$8.35
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$236.15+$35.91
  7. Alaska · Alaska$225.42+$25.18

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

Every other payment area

78015 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$180.46—
ArkansasArkansas$177.45—
ArizonaArizona$198.12—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$220.70—
Chico, CACalifornia$220.46—
El Centro, CACalifornia$220.47—
Fresno, CACalifornia$220.46—
Hanford, CACalifornia$220.46—

78015 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.

$177.45

$252.56

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

View every state and territory as a table
78015 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$225.421
AL$180.461
AR$177.451
AZ$198.121
CA$220.46–$284.6529
CO$215.261
CT$218.911
DC$237.541
DE$201.761
FL$197.52–$215.533
GA$185.19–$207.562
GU$227.571
HI$227.571
IA$187.191
ID$188.301
IL$189.95–$211.154
IN$189.591
KS$185.501
KY$183.911
LA$183.30–$193.842
MA$213.41–$239.542
MD$206.23–$237.543
ME$188.69–$201.482
MI$188.79–$199.622
MN$207.411
MO$179.21–$195.463
MS$178.401
MT$204.071
NC$191.081
ND$202.491
NE$188.581
NH$211.111
NJ$221.74–$234.382
NM$189.701
NV$203.811
NY$194.30–$241.725
OH$188.471
OK$184.261
OR$202.57–$223.692
PA$189.20–$212.352
PR$206.021
RI$210.131
SC$190.021
SD$202.311
TN$186.491
TX$187.72–$214.248
UT$193.031
VA$200.24–$237.542
VI$206.021
VT$200.961
WA$213.25–$245.472
WI$194.681
WV$181.691
WY$203.381

See 78015 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Virginia 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

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 78015 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.65× 1.0000.6500
Practice expense5.38× 0.9835.2885
Malpractice0.08× 0.7060.0565
Total RVUs5.9950
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$200.24

Office: (0.65 × 1 + 5.38 × 0.983 + 0.08 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $200.24

Open 78015 in the RVU calculator

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

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

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.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78015

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

Codes related to 78015
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Virginia
Same family
78016Thyroid metastasis imaging, whole bodyWhole-body thyroid cancer metastasis imaging rather than limited-area imaging.$247.04
78018Thyroid metastasis scan, whole body with additional imagingWhole-body thyroid cancer metastasis imaging performed with SPECT.$270.52
78020Thyroid uptake, whole-body metastasis measurementQuantitative uptake study in the thyroid cancer metastasis code series.$77.78

How 78015 has changed in Virginia

78015 · Office / nonfacility

$200.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $199.44 to $200.24 (0.4%).

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

    $199.44changed to$200.24

    • 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $208.19changed to$199.44

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.62 changed to 5.53

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $204.79changed to$208.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $216.84changed to$204.79

    • 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 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $224.00changed to$216.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.76 changed to 5.72
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $231.42changed to$224.00

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.92 changed to 5.76

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $229.93changed to$231.42

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.68 changed to 5.92
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $230.05changed to$229.93

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $231.93changed to$230.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.79 changed to 5.73

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $229.49changed to$231.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.75 changed to 5.79
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $225.67changed to$229.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.68 changed to 5.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $225.84changed to$225.67

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.67 changed to 5.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $224.71changed to$225.84

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $217.98changed to$224.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.47 changed to 5.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $217.66changed to$217.98

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.81 changed to 5.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $217.66

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$200.24Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$200.24Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$200.24Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$200.24Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$199.44Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$199.44Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$199.44Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$199.44Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$208.19Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$208.19Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$208.19Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$208.19Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$204.79Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$224.00Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$224.00Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$224.00Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$224.00Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$231.42Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$231.42Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$231.42Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$231.42Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$229.93Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$229.93Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$229.93Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$229.93Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$230.05Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$230.05Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$230.05Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$230.05Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$231.93Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$231.93Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$231.93Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$231.93Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$229.49Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$229.49Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$229.49Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$229.49Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$225.67Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$225.67Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$225.67Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$225.67Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$225.84Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$225.84Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$224.71Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$224.71Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$217.98Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$217.98Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$217.98Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$217.98Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$217.66Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$217.66Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$217.66Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$217.66Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78015 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

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
RVUs for 78015PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,188 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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