CPT code 78185: Spleen imaging, radionuclide study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced, CA
Reports a nuclear medicine study of splenic tissue when clinicians need imaging assessment, such as evaluating suspected accessory or ectopic splenic tissue.
In Merced, CA, Medicare pays $167.16 for 78185 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78185 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 78185 covers
This code covers a nuclear medicine examination that produces images of splenic tissue and its distribution. It may be used when a clinician needs to assess splenic tissue, including in a workup for suspected accessory or ectopic spleen. A nuclear medicine technologist typically performs the imaging in a hospital department or imaging facility, and a qualified physician interprets the study.
Select the code when the documented service is spleen imaging, rather than a blood-volume, cell-survival, or sequestration study. The imaging record should support the spleen study performed, and the physician report should document the interpretation. CMS allows the service to be billed globally, with both components, or as the professional component using modifier 26 or the technical component using modifier TC. Use the component claim that reflects the work furnished by the billing entity.
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 Merced, CA compares for 78185
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78185 runs from $133.82 in Arkansas to $216.68 in San Benito County, CA. Merced, CA pays $167.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Merced, CA · this page$167.16
- Bakersfield, CA · California$167.31+$0.15
- Chico, CA · California$167.16
- El Centro, CA · California$167.17+$0.01
- Fresno, CA · California$167.16
- Hanford, CA · California$167.16
- Los Angeles, CA · California$179.83+$12.67
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $198.71 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $179.46 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $167.70 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $176.76 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $176.14 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $181.30 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $211.89 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $211.83 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $216.68 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $216.45 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $173.17 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $183.83 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $177.08 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $185.76 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $198.63 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $167.16 | — |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $180.06 | — |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $162.59 | — |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $157.26 | — |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $178.74 | — |
| AlaskaAlaska | $169.15 | — |
| AlabamaAlabama | $136.14 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $133.82 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $149.74 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $163.04 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $165.67 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $152.53 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $157.48 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $149.01 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $156.92 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $139.55 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $172.74 | — |
| IowaIowa | $141.44 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $142.26 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $144.84 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $143.11 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $159.46 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $143.26 | — |
| KansasKansas | $140.08 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $138.67 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $146.30 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $138.19 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $181.75 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $161.58 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $165.11 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $155.98 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $142.51 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $152.44 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $150.57 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $142.38 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $157.19 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $145.76 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $147.61 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $135.00 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $134.47 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $154.31 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $144.36 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $153.32 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $142.52 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $159.83 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $177.58 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $167.84 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $143.06 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $154.17 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $182.96 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $168.51 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $181.29 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $146.84 | — |
| OhioOhio | $142.18 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $139.00 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $169.59 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $153.26 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $160.59 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $142.77 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $155.82 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $158.99 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $143.45 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $153.20 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $140.83 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $162.25 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $141.63 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $152.79 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $153.63 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $152.26 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $153.15 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $154.07 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $147.03 | — |
| UtahUtah | $145.76 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $151.45 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $155.82 | — |
| VermontVermont | $152.09 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $161.48 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $186.35 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $147.29 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $136.74 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $153.88 | — |
78185 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.
$133.82
$191.92
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 | $169.15 | 1 |
| AL | $136.14 | 1 |
| AR | $133.82 | 1 |
| AZ | $149.74 | 1 |
| CA | $167.16–$216.68 | 29 |
| CO | $163.04 | 1 |
| CT | $165.67 | 1 |
| DC | $180.06 | 1 |
| DE | $152.53 | 1 |
| FL | $149.01–$162.59 | 3 |
| GA | $139.55–$156.92 | 2 |
| GU | $172.74 | 1 |
| HI | $172.74 | 1 |
| IA | $141.44 | 1 |
| ID | $142.26 | 1 |
| IL | $143.11–$159.46 | 4 |
| IN | $143.26 | 1 |
| KS | $140.08 | 1 |
| KY | $138.67 | 1 |
| LA | $138.19–$146.30 | 2 |
| MA | $161.58–$181.75 | 2 |
| MD | $155.98–$180.06 | 3 |
| ME | $142.51–$152.44 | 2 |
| MI | $142.38–$150.57 | 2 |
| MN | $157.19 | 1 |
| MO | $135.00–$147.61 | 3 |
| MS | $134.47 | 1 |
| MT | $154.31 | 1 |
| NC | $144.36 | 1 |
| ND | $153.32 | 1 |
| NE | $142.52 | 1 |
| NH | $159.83 | 1 |
| NJ | $167.84–$177.58 | 2 |
| NM | $143.06 | 1 |
| NV | $154.17 | 1 |
| NY | $146.84–$182.96 | 5 |
| OH | $142.18 | 1 |
| OK | $139.00 | 1 |
| OR | $153.26–$169.59 | 2 |
| PA | $142.77–$160.59 | 2 |
| PR | $155.82 | 1 |
| RI | $158.99 | 1 |
| SC | $143.45 | 1 |
| SD | $153.20 | 1 |
| TN | $140.83 | 1 |
| TX | $141.63–$162.25 | 8 |
| UT | $145.76 | 1 |
| VA | $151.45–$180.06 | 2 |
| VI | $155.82 | 1 |
| VT | $152.09 | 1 |
| WA | $161.48–$186.35 | 2 |
| WI | $147.29 | 1 |
| WV | $136.74 | 1 |
| WY | $153.88 | 1 |
How the 78185 rate is calculated
Each of 78185’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 · 78185
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.39
0.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.18
4.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.6200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$154.31
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Merced, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,245
- Code
- 78185
- Physician work
- 0.39
- Practice expense
- 4.18
- Malpractice
- 0.05
GPCI2026.csv
15
- Locality
- Merced, CA
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.39 | × 1.017 | 0.3966 |
| Practice expense | 4.18 | × 1.096 | 4.5813 |
| Malpractice | 0.05 | × 0.536 | 0.0268 |
| Total RVUs | 5.0047 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Merced, CA$167.16
Office: (0.39 × 1.017 + 4.18 × 1.096 + 0.05 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $167.16
Payment rules and modifiers for 78185
The CMS indicators that decide how 78185 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78185
Spleen imaging, radionuclide study
| 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
78185 without 26 · national office
$154.31
Spleen imaging, radionuclide study
78185-26 · Professional component
$15.70
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78185 has changed in Merced, CA
78185 · Office / nonfacility
$167.16
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $6.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $160.39 to $167.16 (4.2%).
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
$160.39changed to$167.16
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
- Practice expense RVU 4.14 changed to 4.18
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$166.88changed to$160.39
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 4.19 changed to 4.14
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$164.16changed to$166.88
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$171.68changed to$164.16
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 4.29 changed to 4.19
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$178.89changed to$171.68
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 4.44 changed to 4.29
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$186.32changed to$178.89
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 4.60 changed to 4.44
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$186.72changed to$186.32
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 4.42 changed to 4.60
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$186.98changed to$186.72
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 4.43 changed to 4.42
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.06
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$192.58changed to$186.98
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 4.58 changed to 4.43
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$237.68changed to$192.58
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 4.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$237.68
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $167.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $167.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $167.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $167.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $160.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $160.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $160.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $160.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $166.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $166.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $166.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $166.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $164.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $171.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $171.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $171.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $171.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $178.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $178.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $178.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $178.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $186.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $186.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $186.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $186.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $186.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $186.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $186.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $186.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $186.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $186.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $186.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $186.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $192.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $192.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $192.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $192.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $237.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $237.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $237.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $237.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Merced, CA rate applies
Merced, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Merced
- Atwater
- Ballico
- Bear Creek
- Cressey
- Delhi
- Dos Palos
- Dos Palos Y
78185 billing questions
How is 78185 different from a red cell sequestration study?
78185 reports imaging of splenic tissue. Code 78140 describes a red cell sequestration study, which evaluates red-cell handling rather than reporting spleen images.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Report modifier 26 for the physician's interpretation or TC for the equipment and staff portion. A claim without either modifier represents the global service.
When should a combined liver-and-spleen imaging code be considered?
Use a combined liver-and-spleen imaging code when the documented examination images both organs. Code 78185 is for the spleen imaging service.
What documentation supports reporting 78185?
The record should identify the spleen imaging performed, and the interpreting physician's report should document the findings. Technical-component documentation should support the imaging acquisition.
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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