CPT code 78070: Parathyroid imaging, planar only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Ohio

Reports planar nuclear imaging of the parathyroid glands to evaluate suspected abnormal gland activity, without SPECT or CT acquisition.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality8.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Ohio, Medicare pays $240.69 for 78070 in the office.

$240.69Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−7.7%vs the national office rate ($260.86)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78070 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 78070 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Ohio
  2. What 78070 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 78070 covers

This service uses a gamma camera to obtain planar images of the parathyroid region, commonly during evaluation of suspected hyperparathyroidism or to localize abnormal parathyroid tissue. A nuclear medicine technologist typically performs the image acquisition in a hospital or outpatient imaging department, and a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician interprets the study. Select this code for planar imaging without subtraction; use a different code when the performed examination includes subtraction or SPECT/CT.

The record should support the clinical indication, the planar acquisition performed, and the interpreting physician’s findings. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or neither modifier when billing the global service. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC components. The professional component reflects the physician’s interpretation, while the technical component represents performance of the imaging 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 Ohio compares for 78070

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78070 runs from $226.83 in Arkansas to $365.09 in San Benito County, CA. Ohio pays $240.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78070 in Ohio vs other payment areas
  1. Ohio · this page$240.69
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$303.51+$62.82
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$303.89+$63.20
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$274.46+$33.77
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$265.66+$24.97
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$301.70+$61.01
  7. Alaska · Alaska$287.78+$47.09

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

Every other payment area

78070 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$230.68—
ArkansasArkansas$226.83—
ArizonaArizona$253.28—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$282.60—
Chico, CACalifornia$282.35—
El Centro, CACalifornia$282.36—
Fresno, CACalifornia$282.35—
Hanford, CACalifornia$282.35—

78070 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.

$226.83

$323.72

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

View every state and territory as a table
78070 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$287.781
AL$230.681
AR$226.831
AZ$253.281
CA$282.35–$365.0929
CO$275.451
CT$279.821
DC$303.891
DE$257.941
FL$251.99–$274.463
GA$236.30–$265.192
GU$291.541
HI$291.541
IA$239.521
ID$240.881
IL$242.17–$269.374
IN$242.541
KS$237.251
KY$234.871
LA$234.05–$247.532
MA$273.04–$306.672
MD$263.69–$303.893
ME$241.28–$257.792
MI$241.01–$254.572
MN$265.711
MO$228.76–$249.723
MS$227.901
MT$260.861
NC$244.341
ND$259.271
NE$241.321
NH$270.041
NJ$283.52–$299.832
NM$242.131
NV$260.651
NY$248.46–$308.695
OH$240.691
OK$235.431
OR$259.14–$286.362
PA$241.68–$271.362
PR$263.371
RI$268.731
SC$242.821
SD$259.091
TN$238.501
TX$239.78–$274.078
UT$246.661
VA$256.13–$303.892
VI$263.371
VT$257.221
WA$272.86–$314.372
WI$249.261
WV$231.601
WY$260.171

See 78070 in every payment locality

How the 78070 rate is calculated

Each of 78070’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 · 78070

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.78

0.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.95

6.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.08

0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$260.86

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

The exact Ohio inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,200

Code
78070
Physician work
0.78
Practice expense
6.95
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

85

Locality
Ohio
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.913
Malpractice
1.008
Office calculation for 78070 in Ohio
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.78× 1.0000.7800
Practice expense6.95× 0.9136.3454
Malpractice0.08× 1.0080.0806
Total RVUs7.2060
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Ohio$240.69

Office: (0.78 × 1 + 6.95 × 0.913 + 0.08 × 1.008) × $33.4009 = $240.69

Open 78070 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78070

The CMS indicators that decide how 78070 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78070

Parathyroid imaging, planar 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

78070 without 26 · national office

$260.86

Parathyroid imaging, planar only

78070-26 · Professional component

$36.41

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 78070 has changed in Ohio

78070 · Office / nonfacility

$240.69

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.10 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $236.59 to $240.69 (1.7%).

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

    $236.59changed to$240.69

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.80 changed to 0.78
    • Practice expense RVU 7.06 changed to 6.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.008

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $247.76changed to$236.59

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.19 changed to 7.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $243.72changed to$247.76

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $255.91changed to$243.72

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.31 changed to 7.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.063 changed to 1.033
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $264.84changed to$255.91

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.41 changed to 7.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 1.063

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $279.46changed to$264.84

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.80 changed to 7.41

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $282.87changed to$279.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.60 changed to 7.80
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.915 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $287.16changed to$282.87

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.74 changed to 7.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.917 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.049

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $293.11changed to$287.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.93 changed to 7.74

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $291.82changed to$293.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.91 changed to 7.93
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.999 changed to 1.005

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $289.48changed to$291.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.86 changed to 7.91
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.999

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $290.19changed to$289.48

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.85 changed to 7.86

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $288.75changed to$290.19

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $283.41changed to$288.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.62 changed to 7.85
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.117 changed to 0.993

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$283.41

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$240.69Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$240.69Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$240.69Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$240.69Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$236.59Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$236.59Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$236.59Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$236.59Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$247.76Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$247.76Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$247.76Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$247.76Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$243.72Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$255.91Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$255.91Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$255.91Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$255.91Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$264.84Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$264.84Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$264.84Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$264.84Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$279.46Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$279.46Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$279.46Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$279.46Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$282.87Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$282.87Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$282.87Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$282.87Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$287.16Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$287.16Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$287.16Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$287.16Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$293.11Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$293.11Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$293.11Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$293.11Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$291.82Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$291.82Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$291.82Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$291.82Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$289.48Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$289.48Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$289.48Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$289.48Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$290.19Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$290.19Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$288.75Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$288.75Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$283.41Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$283.41Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$283.41Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$283.41Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78070 for an earlier date of service

Where the Ohio rate applies

Ohio is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1265 cities and communities in Ohio. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Ada
  • Adamsville
  • Addyston
  • Adelphi
  • Adena
  • Ai
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Ohio

78070 billing questions

When should 78070 be selected instead of 78071?

Use 78070 for planar parathyroid imaging without subtraction. When subtraction is performed, 78071 is the more appropriate code.

How does 78070 differ from 78072?

78070 describes planar imaging alone. 78072 is for an examination that includes SPECT and CT in addition to planar imaging.

Which modifiers apply when only one component is billed?

Use modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 78070?

Document the clinical indication, that planar parathyroid imaging was performed, and the physician’s interpretation. The record should distinguish the study from one involving subtraction or SPECT/CT.

Does 78070 include the physician’s interpretation?

The global service includes both the professional and technical components. When billing only the interpretation, report modifier 26; when billing only acquisition and related technical services, report modifier TC.

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 78070PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,200 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for OhioGPCI2026.csv, line 85 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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