CPT code 78016: Thyroid metastasis imaging, whole body2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Reports whole-body nuclear imaging to evaluate thyroid carcinoma for metastatic disease, such as iodine-avid spread beyond the thyroid bed.
In Montana, Medicare pays $251.50 for 78016 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78016 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 78016 covers
This study images the body for metastatic thyroid carcinoma after administration of a thyroid-seeking radiopharmaceutical. It is commonly used in the evaluation or follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer, including searches for iodine-avid disease outside the thyroid bed. Nuclear medicine staff perform the imaging, and a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist interprets the findings. The whole-body extent distinguishes this service from limited-area thyroid cancer metastasis imaging.
Report 78016 when the documented study covers the whole body for metastatic thyroid carcinoma. The record should identify the clinical indication and support the extent and interpretation of the imaging performed. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment-and-staff service, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. The professional and technical portions may be billed separately by the respective providers when applicable.
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 Montana compares for 78016
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78016 runs from $219.01 in Arkansas to $351.69 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $251.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$251.50
- Los Angeles, CA · California$292.53+$41.03
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$292.81+$41.31
- Miami, FL · Florida$264.20+$12.70
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$255.84+$4.34
- Manhattan, NY · New York$290.63+$39.13
- Alaska · Alaska$278.28+$26.78
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $222.69 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $219.01 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $244.28 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $272.46 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $272.25 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $322.78 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $291.86 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $273.00 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $287.65 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $286.62 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $294.84 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $343.99 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $343.91 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $351.69 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $351.36 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $281.80 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $298.81 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $288.10 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $301.94 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $322.67 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $272.23 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $265.55 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $269.66 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $248.74 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $256.29 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $242.90 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $255.62 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $227.93 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $281.00 | — |
| IowaIowa | $231.19 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $232.48 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $236.08 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $233.47 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $259.51 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $234.07 | — |
| KansasKansas | $228.99 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $226.62 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $238.70 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $225.83 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $295.50 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $263.25 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $268.73 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $254.25 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $232.83 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $248.64 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $245.33 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $232.46 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $256.31 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $237.89 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $240.84 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $220.75 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $219.98 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $235.76 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $250.12 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $232.93 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $260.34 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $288.94 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $273.27 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $233.52 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $251.34 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $297.27 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $274.33 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $294.74 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $239.69 | — |
| OhioOhio | $232.17 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $227.19 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $276.03 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $249.92 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $261.56 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $233.14 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $253.92 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $259.10 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $234.25 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $249.96 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $230.18 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $264.20 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $231.32 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $249.21 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $250.53 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $248.33 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $249.76 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $251.04 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $239.94 | — |
| UtahUtah | $237.92 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $247.04 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $253.92 | — |
| VermontVermont | $248.13 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $263.09 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $302.91 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $240.55 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $223.38 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $250.90 | — |
78016 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.
$219.01
$311.96
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 | $278.28 | 1 |
| AL | $222.69 | 1 |
| AR | $219.01 | 1 |
| AZ | $244.28 | 1 |
| CA | $272.23–$351.69 | 29 |
| CO | $265.55 | 1 |
| CT | $269.66 | 1 |
| DC | $292.81 | 1 |
| DE | $248.74 | 1 |
| FL | $242.90–$264.20 | 3 |
| GA | $227.93–$255.62 | 2 |
| GU | $281.00 | 1 |
| HI | $281.00 | 1 |
| IA | $231.19 | 1 |
| ID | $232.48 | 1 |
| IL | $233.47–$259.51 | 4 |
| IN | $234.07 | 1 |
| KS | $228.99 | 1 |
| KY | $226.62 | 1 |
| LA | $225.83–$238.70 | 2 |
| MA | $263.25–$295.50 | 2 |
| MD | $254.25–$292.81 | 3 |
| ME | $232.83–$248.64 | 2 |
| MI | $232.46–$245.33 | 2 |
| MN | $256.31 | 1 |
| MO | $220.75–$240.84 | 3 |
| MS | $219.98 | 1 |
| MT | $251.50 | 1 |
| NC | $235.76 | 1 |
| ND | $250.12 | 1 |
| NE | $232.93 | 1 |
| NH | $260.34 | 1 |
| NJ | $273.27–$288.94 | 2 |
| NM | $233.52 | 1 |
| NV | $251.34 | 1 |
| NY | $239.69–$297.27 | 5 |
| OH | $232.17 | 1 |
| OK | $227.19 | 1 |
| OR | $249.92–$276.03 | 2 |
| PA | $233.14–$261.56 | 2 |
| PR | $253.92 | 1 |
| RI | $259.10 | 1 |
| SC | $234.25 | 1 |
| SD | $249.96 | 1 |
| TN | $230.18 | 1 |
| TX | $231.32–$264.20 | 8 |
| UT | $237.92 | 1 |
| VA | $247.04–$292.81 | 2 |
| VI | $253.92 | 1 |
| VT | $248.13 | 1 |
| WA | $263.09–$302.91 | 2 |
| WI | $240.55 | 1 |
| WV | $223.38 | 1 |
| WY | $250.90 | 1 |
How the 78016 rate is calculated
Each of 78016’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 · 78016
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.80
0.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense6.66
6.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
7.5300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$251.51
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,191
- Code
- 78016
- Physician work
- 0.80
- Practice expense
- 6.66
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.80 | × 1.000 | 0.8000 |
| Practice expense | 6.66 | × 1.000 | 6.6600 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.998 | 0.0699 |
| Total RVUs | 7.5299 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$251.50
Office: (0.8 × 1 + 6.66 × 1 + 0.07 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $251.50
Payment rules and modifiers for 78016
The CMS indicators that decide how 78016 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78016
Thyroid metastasis imaging, whole body
| 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
78016 without 26 · national office
$251.51
Thyroid metastasis imaging, whole body
78016-26 · Professional component
$32.06
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78016 has changed in Montana
78016 · Office / nonfacility
$251.50
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $10.88 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $240.62 to $251.50 (4.5%).
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
$240.62changed to$251.50
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.82 changed to 0.80
- Practice expense RVU 6.56 changed to 6.66
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$252.27changed to$240.62
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 6.69 changed to 6.56
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$248.15changed to$252.27
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$261.90changed to$248.15
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 6.84 changed to 6.69
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$276.80changed to$261.90
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 7.12 changed to 6.84
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$290.61changed to$276.80
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 7.12
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$292.26changed to$290.61
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 7.20 changed to 7.45
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$293.77changed to$292.26
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 7.25 changed to 7.20
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$298.49changed to$293.77
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 7.39 changed to 7.25
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$299.00changed to$298.49
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 7.44 changed to 7.39
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$291.49changed to$299.00
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 7.26 changed to 7.44
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$295.42changed to$291.49
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 7.34 changed to 7.26
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$293.95changed to$295.42
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$286.94changed to$293.95
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 7.12 changed to 7.34
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$289.41changed to$286.94
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 7.62 changed to 7.12
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $289.41
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $251.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $251.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $251.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $251.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $240.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $240.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $240.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $240.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $252.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $252.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $252.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $252.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $248.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $261.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $261.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $261.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $261.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $276.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $276.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $276.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $276.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $290.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $290.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $290.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $290.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $292.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $292.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $292.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $292.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $293.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $293.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $293.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $293.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $298.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $298.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $298.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $298.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $299.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $299.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $299.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $299.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $291.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $291.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $291.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $291.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $295.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $295.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $293.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $293.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $286.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $286.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $286.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $286.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $289.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $289.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $289.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $289.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
78016 billing questions
How does 78016 differ from 78015?
78016 is for whole-body imaging to evaluate thyroid carcinoma metastases. 78015 is used when the metastasis imaging is limited to an area.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports 78016?
Document the thyroid carcinoma indication, the whole-body imaging performed, and the interpreting clinician’s findings. The record should support that the study evaluated metastatic disease.
Is 78016 the same as thyroid uptake measurement?
No. 78016 describes whole-body imaging for thyroid carcinoma metastases; 78012 is for thyroid uptake measurement. Select the code for the service actually performed.
How does 78016 differ from 78018?
Both are in the thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging family. 78018 describes whole-body imaging with additional views, while 78016 represents whole-body imaging.
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
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