FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 78264: Gastric emptying, stomach only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Reports scintigraphic assessment of how quickly a radiolabeled meal leaves the stomach, commonly when symptoms raise concern for delayed gastric emptying.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality48.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $285.82 for 78264 in the office.

$285.82Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.4%vs the national office rate ($289.92)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78264 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 78264 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 78264 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 78264 covers

A nuclear medicine team administers a radiolabeled meal and obtains serial images to track its passage out of the stomach. The study is commonly ordered for patients with nausea, vomiting, early satiety, or post-meal fullness when delayed gastric emptying is being evaluated. A nuclear medicine physician interprets the images; a technologist typically prepares the imaging equipment and acquires the study in a hospital or outpatient imaging department.

Report 78264 for the gastric-emptying assessment itself, rather than an examination that also evaluates transit through the small bowel or colon. The record should identify the meal or protocol used, document image acquisition, and include the physician’s interpretation of gastric emptying. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and an unmodified claim represents 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 Vermont compares for 78264

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78264 runs from $251.63 in Arkansas to $406.80 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $285.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78264 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$285.82
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$337.76+$51.94
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$338.14+$52.32
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$305.23+$19.41
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$295.30+$9.48
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$335.64+$49.82
  7. Alaska · Alaska$318.41+$32.59

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

Every other payment area

78264 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$255.97—
ArkansasArkansas$251.63—
ArizonaArizona$281.39—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$314.31—
Chico, CACalifornia$314.04—
El Centro, CACalifornia$314.05—
Fresno, CACalifornia$314.04—
Hanford, CACalifornia$314.04—

78264 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.

$251.63

$360.42

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

View every state and territory as a table
78264 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$318.411
AL$255.971
AR$251.631
AZ$281.391
CA$314.04–$406.8029
CO$306.291
CT$311.181
DC$338.141
DE$286.611
FL$279.94–$305.233
GA$262.29–$294.782
GU$324.441
HI$324.441
IA$265.911
ID$267.441
IL$268.89–$299.474
IN$269.311
KS$263.351
KY$260.671
LA$259.76–$274.922
MA$303.56–$341.322
MD$293.06–$338.143
ME$267.89–$286.462
MI$267.58–$282.842
MN$295.381
MO$253.80–$277.393
MS$252.831
MT$289.911
NC$271.331
ND$288.131
NE$267.941
NH$300.251
NJ$315.27–$333.542
NM$268.841
NV$289.681
NY$275.97–$343.515
OH$267.221
OK$261.301
OR$287.98–$318.552
PA$268.34–$301.672
PR$292.751
RI$298.701
SC$269.621
SD$287.921
TN$264.761
TX$266.20–$304.788
UT$273.941
VA$284.60–$338.142
VI$292.751
VT$285.821
WA$303.38–$349.952
WI$276.871
WV$257.001
WY$289.141

See 78264 in every payment locality

How the 78264 rate is calculated

Each of 78264’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 · 78264

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.77

0.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.82

7.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.6800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$289.92

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

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,293

Code
78264
Physician work
0.77
Practice expense
7.82
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 78264 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.77× 1.0000.7700
Practice expense7.82× 0.9907.7418
Malpractice0.09× 0.5060.0455
Total RVUs8.5573
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$285.82

Office: (0.77 × 1 + 7.82 × 0.99 + 0.09 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $285.82

Open 78264 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78264

The CMS indicators that decide how 78264 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78264

Gastric emptying, stomach 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

78264 without 26 · national office

$289.92

Gastric emptying, stomach only

78264-26 · Professional component

$35.74

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78264

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 78264
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Vermont
Same family
78265Gastric emptying, with small bowel transitExtends gastric-emptying imaging to include small-bowel transit.$342.77
78266GI transit imaging, small bowel and colon transitExtends gastric-emptying imaging to include small-bowel and colon transit.$389.42
Used instead
78262Reflux imaging, gastroesophageal refluxEvaluates gastroesophageal reflux when that, rather than delayed emptying, is the diagnostic question.$214.19

How 78264 has changed in Vermont

78264 · Office / nonfacility

$285.82

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $284.02 to $285.82 (0.6%).

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

    $284.02changed to$285.82

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.79 changed to 0.77
    • Practice expense RVU 8.00 changed to 7.82
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $298.08changed to$284.02

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.17 changed to 8.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $293.21changed to$298.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $310.35changed to$293.21

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.35 changed to 8.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $322.87changed to$310.35

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.48 changed to 8.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $339.86changed to$322.87

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.89 changed to 8.48

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $344.86changed to$339.86

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.65 changed to 8.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $351.36changed to$344.86

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.78 changed to 8.65
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $358.28changed to$351.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.98 changed to 8.78

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $355.33changed to$358.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 8.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $349.46changed to$355.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 0.74 changed to 0.79
    • Practice expense RVU 8.93 changed to 8.97
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $302.12changed to$349.46

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 0.80 changed to 0.74
    • Practice expense RVU 7.53 changed to 8.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $300.62changed to$302.12

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $294.72changed to$300.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.34 changed to 7.53
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$294.72

    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$285.82Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$285.82Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$285.82Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$285.82Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$284.02Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$284.02Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$284.02Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$284.02Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$298.08Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$298.08Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$298.08Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$298.08Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$293.21Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$310.35Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$310.35Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$310.35Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$310.35Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$322.87Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$322.87Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$322.87Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$322.87Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$339.86Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$339.86Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$339.86Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$339.86Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$344.86Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$344.86Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$344.86Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$344.86Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$351.36Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$351.36Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$351.36Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$351.36Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$358.28Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$358.28Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$358.28Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$358.28Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$355.33Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$355.33Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$355.33Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$355.33Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$349.46Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$349.46Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$349.46Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$349.46Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$302.12Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$302.12Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$300.62Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$300.62Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$294.72Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$294.72Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$294.72Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$294.72Not 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 78264 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

78264 billing questions

When should 78264 be chosen over 78265?

Use 78264 when the study assesses gastric emptying alone. Choose 78265 when the examination also evaluates small-bowel transit.

How should the professional and technical services be reported?

Append modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation or modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion. Report the global service without either modifier.

What documentation supports this code?

Document the gastric-emptying protocol and meal, image acquisition, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The report should make clear that the examination evaluates stomach emptying rather than downstream transit.

Can this code be used when small-bowel or colon transit is also assessed?

Use the code that reflects the full study performed: 78265 includes small-bowel transit, and 78266 includes small-bowel and colon transit with gastric emptying.

Does 78264 represent a single image or the gastric-emptying examination?

It represents the gastric-emptying imaging study, which uses serial images to assess passage of the meal from the stomach.

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 78264PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,293 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 78264 pays in Vermont?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 78264 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist