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CPT code 78261: Gastric mucosa scan, ectopic tissue localization2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Nuclear medicine imaging to locate functioning gastric-type tissue outside the stomach, commonly ordered when a Meckel diverticulum is suspected.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality15 Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $196.80 for 78261 in the office.

$196.80Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+7.1%vs the national office rate ($183.70)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78261 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 78261 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 78261 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Rate history
  8. Where it applies
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 78261 covers

This nuclear medicine study uses a radiotracer that is taken up by functioning gastric mucosa to identify gastric-type tissue in an abnormal location. A common clinical question is whether a child or adult with gastrointestinal bleeding has a Meckel diverticulum containing ectopic gastric mucosa. A nuclear medicine technologist performs the imaging, and a qualified physician interprets the images and reports the findings, commonly in a hospital or imaging facility.

Report 78261 when the study is directed at localizing ectopic functioning gastric mucosa, rather than measuring stomach emptying or evaluating reflux. The record should support the clinical indication and include the imaging findings and physician interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, TC for the equipment and staff portion, or neither modifier when billing the global 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 Connecticut compares for 78261

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78261 runs from $160.38 in Arkansas to $255.96 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $196.80. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78261 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$196.80
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$213.28+$16.48
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$213.52+$16.72
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$192.80−$4.00
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$186.82−$9.98
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$211.98+$15.18
  7. Alaska · Alaska$204.52+$7.72

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

Every other payment area

78261 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$163.02—
ArkansasArkansas$160.38—
ArizonaArizona$178.52—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$198.80—
Chico, CACalifornia$198.64—
El Centro, CACalifornia$198.65—
Fresno, CACalifornia$198.64—
Hanford, CACalifornia$198.64—

78261 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$160.38

$227.30

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

View every state and territory as a table
78261 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$204.521
AL$163.021
AR$160.381
AZ$178.521
CA$198.64–$255.9629
CO$193.831
CT$196.801
DC$213.521
DE$181.731
FL$177.52–$192.803
GA$166.78–$186.662
GU$204.871
HI$204.871
IA$169.131
ID$170.051
IL$170.76–$189.464
IN$171.191
KS$167.551
KY$165.841
LA$165.27–$174.512
MA$192.19–$215.412
MD$185.71–$213.523
ME$170.30–$181.652
MI$170.03–$179.262
MN$187.161
MO$161.63–$176.043
MS$161.081
MT$183.701
NC$172.411
ND$182.711
NE$170.371
NH$190.041
NJ$199.45–$210.772
NM$170.791
NV$183.591
NY$175.23–$216.745
OH$169.831
OK$166.251
OR$182.57–$201.362
PA$170.52–$190.982
PR$185.441
RI$189.221
SC$171.321
SD$182.601
TN$168.401
TX$169.22–$192.828
UT$173.961
VA$180.50–$213.522
VI$185.441
VT$181.281
WA$192.06–$220.762
WI$175.841
WV$163.511
WY$183.271

See 78261 in every payment locality

How the 78261 rate is calculated

Each of 78261’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 · 78261

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.67

0.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.78

4.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.5000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$183.70

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,287

Code
78261
Physician work
0.67
Practice expense
4.78
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 78261 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.67× 1.0200.6834
Practice expense4.78× 1.0775.1481
Malpractice0.05× 1.2100.0605
Total RVUs5.8920
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$196.80

Office: (0.67 × 1.02 + 4.78 × 1.077 + 0.05 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $196.80

Open 78261 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78261

The CMS indicators that decide how 78261 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78261

Gastric mucosa scan, ectopic tissue localization

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

78261 without 26 · national office

$183.70

Gastric mucosa scan, ectopic tissue localization

78261-26 · Professional component

$26.72

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 78261 has changed in Connecticut

78261 · Office / nonfacility

$196.80

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $190.63 to $196.80 (3.2%).

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

    $190.63changed to$196.80

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.69 changed to 0.67
    • Practice expense RVU 4.70 changed to 4.78
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $199.84changed to$190.63

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.79 changed to 4.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $196.58changed to$199.84

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $208.51changed to$196.58

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $222.22changed to$208.51

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.08 changed to 4.89
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $232.22changed to$222.22

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.29 changed to 5.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $232.45changed to$232.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.09 changed to 5.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $231.58changed to$232.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.10 changed to 5.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $234.53changed to$231.58

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.18 changed to 5.10

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $285.78changed to$234.53

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.43 changed to 5.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $288.47changed to$285.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.48 changed to 6.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $293.54changed to$288.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.58 changed to 6.48

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $292.08changed to$293.54

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $286.27changed to$292.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.45 changed to 6.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $287.19changed to$286.27

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.89 changed to 6.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $287.19

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$196.80Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$196.80Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$196.80Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$196.80Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$190.63Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$190.63Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$190.63Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$190.63Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$199.84Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$199.84Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$199.84Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$199.84Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$196.58Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$208.51Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$208.51Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$208.51Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$208.51Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$222.22Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$222.22Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$222.22Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$222.22Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$232.22Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$232.22Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$232.22Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$232.22Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$232.45Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$232.45Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$232.45Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$232.45Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$231.58Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$231.58Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$231.58Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$231.58Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$234.53Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$234.53Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$234.53Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$234.53Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$285.78Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$285.78Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$285.78Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$285.78Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$288.47Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$288.47Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$288.47Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$288.47Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$293.54Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$293.54Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$292.08Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$292.08Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$286.27Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$286.27Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$286.27Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$286.27Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$287.19Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$287.19Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$287.19Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$287.19Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78261 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

78261 billing questions

When should 78261 be chosen over 78264?

Use 78261 to localize functioning gastric-type mucosa outside the stomach, such as in a suspected Meckel diverticulum. Use 78264 when the clinical question is how quickly the stomach empties.

How does 78261 differ from 78262?

78261 evaluates for ectopic gastric mucosa. 78262 is directed at gastroesophageal reflux.

How are the professional and technical services reported?

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

What documentation supports reporting 78261?

Document the reason for evaluating ectopic gastric mucosa and the study findings, including the interpreting physician's conclusion about localization.

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 78261PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,287 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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