CPT code 78122: Blood volume test, whole blood determination2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Dakota

A nuclear medicine blood volume study measures circulating whole blood volume when a clinician needs a direct assessment beyond routine blood counts.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality312 Medicare services in 2024

In South Dakota, Medicare pays $99.87 for 78122 in the office.

$99.87Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.3%vs the national office rate ($101.20)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78122 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 78122 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Dakota
  2. What 78122 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 78122 covers

This study uses a tracer-dilution technique to estimate circulating whole blood volume from patient samples and measurement of the tracer. It is typically performed in a hospital nuclear medicine department, with a nuclear medicine technologist handling the technical procedure and a physician interpreting the results. Clinicians may request it when evaluating suspected abnormalities in circulating blood volume, including certain hematologic disorders.

Report 78122 when the service determines whole blood volume, rather than only plasma volume or red cell mass. The record should support the clinical reason for testing, the tracer and sampling procedure performed, the measurements used, and the physician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion, or neither modifier when billing the global service. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC services.

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 78122

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78122 runs from $88.32 in Arkansas to $139.24 in San Benito County, CA. South Dakota pays $99.87. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78122 in South Dakota vs other payment areas
  1. South Dakota · this page$99.87
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$116.60+$16.73
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$117.27+$17.40
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$107.73+$7.86
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$104.33+$4.46
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$117.01+$17.14
  7. Alaska · Alaska$113.15+$13.28

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

Every other payment area

78122 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$89.77—
ArkansasArkansas$88.32—
ArizonaArizona$98.30—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$108.81—
Chico, CACalifornia$108.64—
El Centro, CACalifornia$108.65—
Fresno, CACalifornia$108.64—
Hanford, CACalifornia$108.64—

78122 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.

$88.32

$123.94

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

View every state and territory as a table
78122 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$113.151
AL$89.771
AR$88.321
AZ$98.301
CA$108.64–$139.2429
CO$106.351
CT$108.431
DC$117.271
DE$100.061
FL$98.49–$107.733
GA$92.46–$103.002
GU$111.941
HI$111.941
IA$92.811
ID$93.391
IL$94.98–$105.144
IN$94.011
KS$92.101
KY$91.651
LA$91.40–$96.492
MA$105.51–$117.982
MD$102.20–$117.273
ME$93.69–$99.702
MI$94.11–$99.622
MN$102.241
MO$89.49–$97.153
MS$88.941
MT$101.201
NC$94.821
ND$100.011
NE$93.451
NH$104.421
NJ$109.76–$115.792
NM$94.591
NV$100.951
NY$96.38–$119.835
OH$93.871
OK$91.721
OR$100.27–$110.312
PA$94.17–$105.322
PR$102.101
RI$104.061
SC$94.481
SD$99.871
TN$92.591
TX$93.46–$105.918
UT$95.931
VA$99.18–$117.272
VI$102.101
VT$99.371
WA$105.40–$120.762
WI$96.271
WV$91.001
WY$100.681

See 78122 in every payment locality

How the 78122 rate is calculated

Each of 78122’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 · 78122

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.44

0.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.53

2.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.0300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$101.20

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

9,236

Code
78122
Physician work
0.44
Practice expense
2.53
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

94

Locality
South Dakota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.336
Office calculation for 78122 in South Dakota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.44× 1.0000.4400
Practice expense2.53× 1.0002.5300
Malpractice0.06× 0.3360.0202
Total RVUs2.9902
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Dakota$99.87

Office: (0.44 × 1 + 2.53 × 1 + 0.06 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $99.87

Open 78122 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78122

The CMS indicators that decide how 78122 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78122

Blood volume test, whole blood determination

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

78122 without 26 · national office

$101.20

Blood volume test, whole blood determination

78122-26 · Professional component

$20.71

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 78122 has changed in South Dakota

78122 · Office / nonfacility

$99.87

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $95.19 to $99.87 (4.9%).

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

    $95.19changed to$99.87

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.53
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.382 changed to 0.336

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $96.63changed to$95.19

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $95.05changed to$96.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $99.01changed to$95.05

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.45 changed to 2.43
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $98.88changed to$99.01

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.39 changed to 2.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $98.66changed to$98.88

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $98.33changed to$98.66

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $97.29changed to$98.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 2.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $99.34changed to$97.29

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.23

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $99.76changed to$99.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.29
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $100.61changed to$99.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.31
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $99.25changed to$100.61

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.30 changed to 2.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $98.75changed to$99.25

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $99.47changed to$98.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $100.28changed to$99.47

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.48 changed to 2.31
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $100.28

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$99.87Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$99.87Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$99.87Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$99.87Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$96.63Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$96.63Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$96.63Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$96.63Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$95.05Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$99.01Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$99.01Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$99.01Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$99.01Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$98.88Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$98.88Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$98.88Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$98.88Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$98.66Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$98.66Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$98.66Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$98.66Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$98.33Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$98.33Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$98.33Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$98.33Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$97.29Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$97.29Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$97.29Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$97.29Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$99.34Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$99.34Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$99.34Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$99.34Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$99.76Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$99.76Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$99.76Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$99.76Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$100.61Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$100.61Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$100.61Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$100.61Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$99.25Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$99.25Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$98.75Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$98.75Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$99.47Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$99.47Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$99.47Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$99.47Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$100.28Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$100.28Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$100.28Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$100.28Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78122 for an earlier date of service

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

Browse all communities in South Dakota

78122 billing questions

How is 78122 different from a plasma volume study?

78122 determines whole blood volume. Use a plasma volume code when the measured quantity is plasma volume alone.

How is 78122 different from red cell mass testing?

78122 measures whole blood volume; red cell mass codes concern the circulating red cell component. Select the code that matches the quantity actually determined.

When should modifier 26 or TC be reported?

Use modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation and report, or TC for the technical service involving equipment and staff. Bill without either modifier for the global service.

What documentation supports 78122?

Document the clinical indication, tracer and sampling procedure, measurements used to determine whole blood volume, and the interpreting physician’s findings.

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 78122PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,236 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South DakotaGPCI2026.csv, line 94 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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