CPT code 78120: Red cell mass, single determination2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota
Reports a nuclear medicine study that measures circulating red cell mass in one determination, often to assess erythrocytosis or polycythemia.
In South Dakota, Medicare pays $71.37 for 78120 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78120 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 78120 covers
This nuclear medicine study measures the patient’s circulating red cell mass using labeled red cells and blood sampling. It may be ordered when a clinician needs to determine whether an elevated hematocrit reflects increased red cell mass, as in evaluation of erythrocytosis or suspected polycythemia, rather than a change in plasma volume. Nuclear medicine personnel typically perform the technical work, with a qualified practitioner interpreting the results. The study may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient nuclear medicine department.
Report 78120 for a single red cell mass determination; the distinction from 78121 is whether the study includes multiple determinations. Documentation should identify the red cell mass study and support the single-determination service. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or no component modifier for the global service. Red cell mass may be assessed with a separate plasma volume study when both measurements are performed and documented.
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 South Dakota compares for 78120
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78120 runs from $62.72 in Arkansas to $100.56 in San Benito County, CA. South Dakota pays $71.37. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Dakota · this page$71.37
- Los Angeles, CA · California$83.83+$12.46
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$84.36+$12.99
- Miami, FL · Florida$77.64+$6.27
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$75.01+$3.64
- Manhattan, NY · New York$84.21+$12.84
- Alaska · Alaska$79.53+$8.16
Other areas in South Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $63.82 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $62.72 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $70.27 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $78.06 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $77.93 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $92.30 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $83.61 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $78.46 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $82.31 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $82.02 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $84.37 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $98.29 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $98.24 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $100.56 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $100.33 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $80.65 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $85.50 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $82.45 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $86.39 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $92.22 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $77.92 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $76.26 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $77.86 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $71.59 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $74.65 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $70.53 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $73.85 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $65.95 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $80.47 | — |
| IowaIowa | $66.08 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $66.52 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $69.10 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $67.90 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $75.53 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $66.99 | — |
| KansasKansas | $65.56 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $65.29 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $68.96 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $65.11 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $84.91 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $75.62 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $77.63 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $73.18 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $66.77 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $71.29 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $71.40 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $67.17 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $73.14 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $68.57 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $69.44 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $63.68 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $63.22 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $72.48 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $67.63 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $71.49 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $66.55 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $74.87 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $83.21 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $78.77 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $67.55 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $72.26 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $86.38 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $79.19 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $85.24 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $68.81 | — |
| OhioOhio | $66.97 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $65.32 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $79.21 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $71.73 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $75.54 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $67.18 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $73.15 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $74.53 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $67.41 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $65.93 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $75.99 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $66.65 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $71.60 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $72.06 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $71.44 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $71.81 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $72.72 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $69.08 | — |
| UtahUtah | $68.50 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $70.91 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $73.15 | — |
| VermontVermont | $71.02 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $75.54 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $86.95 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $68.66 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $64.89 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $72.05 | — |
78120 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.
$62.72
$89.24
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 | $79.53 | 1 |
| AL | $63.82 | 1 |
| AR | $62.72 | 1 |
| AZ | $70.27 | 1 |
| CA | $77.92–$100.56 | 29 |
| CO | $76.26 | 1 |
| CT | $77.86 | 1 |
| DC | $84.36 | 1 |
| DE | $71.59 | 1 |
| FL | $70.53–$77.64 | 3 |
| GA | $65.95–$73.85 | 2 |
| GU | $80.47 | 1 |
| HI | $80.47 | 1 |
| IA | $66.08 | 1 |
| ID | $66.52 | 1 |
| IL | $67.90–$75.53 | 4 |
| IN | $66.99 | 1 |
| KS | $65.56 | 1 |
| KY | $65.29 | 1 |
| LA | $65.11–$68.96 | 2 |
| MA | $75.62–$84.91 | 2 |
| MD | $73.18–$84.36 | 3 |
| ME | $66.77–$71.29 | 2 |
| MI | $67.17–$71.40 | 2 |
| MN | $73.14 | 1 |
| MO | $63.68–$69.44 | 3 |
| MS | $63.22 | 1 |
| MT | $72.48 | 1 |
| NC | $67.63 | 1 |
| ND | $71.49 | 1 |
| NE | $66.55 | 1 |
| NH | $74.87 | 1 |
| NJ | $78.77–$83.21 | 2 |
| NM | $67.55 | 1 |
| NV | $72.26 | 1 |
| NY | $68.81–$86.38 | 5 |
| OH | $66.97 | 1 |
| OK | $65.32 | 1 |
| OR | $71.73–$79.21 | 2 |
| PA | $67.18–$75.54 | 2 |
| PR | $73.15 | 1 |
| RI | $74.53 | 1 |
| SC | $67.41 | 1 |
| SD | $71.37 | 1 |
| TN | $65.93 | 1 |
| TX | $66.65–$75.99 | 8 |
| UT | $68.50 | 1 |
| VA | $70.91–$84.36 | 2 |
| VI | $73.15 | 1 |
| VT | $71.02 | 1 |
| WA | $75.54–$86.95 | 2 |
| WI | $68.66 | 1 |
| WV | $64.89 | 1 |
| WY | $72.05 | 1 |
How the 78120 rate is calculated
Each of 78120’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 · 78120
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.22
0.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.90
1.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.1700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$72.48
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact South Dakota inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,230
- Code
- 78120
- Physician work
- 0.22
- Practice expense
- 1.90
- Malpractice
- 0.05
GPCI2026.csv
94
- Locality
- South Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.336
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.22 | × 1.000 | 0.2200 |
| Practice expense | 1.90 | × 1.000 | 1.9000 |
| Malpractice | 0.05 | × 0.336 | 0.0168 |
| Total RVUs | 2.1368 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Dakota$71.37
Office: (0.22 × 1 + 1.9 × 1 + 0.05 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $71.37
Payment rules and modifiers for 78120
The CMS indicators that decide how 78120 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78120
Red cell mass, single determination
| 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
78120 without 26 · national office
$72.48
Red cell mass, single determination
78120-26 · Professional component
$9.02
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78120 has changed in South Dakota
78120 · Office / nonfacility
$71.37
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.15 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $68.22 to $71.37 (4.6%).
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
$68.22changed to$71.37
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
- Practice expense RVU 1.86 changed to 1.90
- Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$69.54changed to$68.22
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.86
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$68.41changed to$69.54
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$70.42changed to$68.41
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.83 changed to 1.84
- Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$72.24changed to$70.42
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.83
- Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$72.49changed to$72.24
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.83 changed to 1.84
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$72.71changed to$72.49
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.77 changed to 1.83
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
- Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$72.64changed to$72.71
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$79.40changed to$72.64
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 1.77
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$97.47changed to$79.40
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 1.96
- Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$96.89changed to$97.47
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.47
- Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$97.09changed to$96.89
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$96.61changed to$97.09
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$96.24changed to$96.61
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 2.44 changed to 2.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
- Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$92.79changed to$96.24
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 2.48 changed to 2.44
- Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $92.79
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $71.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $71.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $71.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $71.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $68.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $68.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $68.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $68.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $69.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $69.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $69.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $69.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $68.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $70.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $70.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $70.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $70.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $72.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $72.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $72.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $72.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $72.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $72.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $72.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $72.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $72.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $72.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $72.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $72.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $72.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $72.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $72.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $72.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $79.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $79.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $79.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $79.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $97.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $97.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $97.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $97.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $96.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $96.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $96.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $96.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $97.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $97.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $96.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $96.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $96.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $96.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $96.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $96.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $92.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $92.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $92.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $92.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the South Dakota rate applies
South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Agar
- Agency Village
- Akaska
- Albee
- Alcester
- Alexandria
- Allen
78120 billing questions
When should 78120 be chosen instead of 78121?
Use 78120 for a single red cell mass determination. Use 78121 when the study includes multiple determinations.
Can a plasma volume study be reported with 78120?
Yes, when a plasma volume study is also performed and documented. Code 78110 describes a single plasma volume determination.
How are the professional and technical services reported?
Use modifier 26 for the interpretation and modifier TC for the equipment and staff. Without a component modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 78120?
Document the red cell mass study performed and that it involved a single determination. The record should support the interpretation or technical work billed.
Does 78120 measure total blood volume?
No. It measures red cell mass; 78122 is the code for whole blood volume determination.
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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