CPT code 78290: Intestinal imaging, ectopic gastric mucosa2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports intestinal scintigraphy, commonly used to locate ectopic gastric mucosa such as in suspected Meckel diverticulum, with professional and technical components available.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality233 Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $269.46 for 78290 in the office.

$269.46Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−7.4%vs the national office rate ($290.92)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78290 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 78290 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 78290 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 78290 covers

This nuclear medicine examination images the intestine, commonly to detect ectopic gastric mucosa in a patient being evaluated for a Meckel diverticulum. A nuclear medicine technologist performs the imaging, and a nuclear medicine physician interprets the study. It is typically performed in a hospital or outpatient nuclear medicine department; a common clinical presentation is a child with painless gastrointestinal bleeding and suspected Meckel diverticulum.

Select this code when the study is directed at intestinal localization, rather than gastric emptying, bowel transit, or active bleeding localization. Documentation should identify the clinical indication, imaging performed, and interpretation supporting the intestinal focus. CMS allows the service to be billed globally without a component modifier, or split between the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC. The technical component represents the equipment and staff; the professional component represents interpretation.

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 New Mexico compares for 78290

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78290 runs from $251.98 in Arkansas to $409.47 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $269.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78290 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$269.46
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$339.47+$70.01
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$339.78+$70.32
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$306.42+$36.96
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$296.30+$26.84
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$337.17+$67.71
  7. Alaska · Alaska$317.88+$48.42

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

Every other payment area

78290 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$256.38—
ArkansasArkansas$251.98—
ArizonaArizona$282.25—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$315.69—
Chico, CACalifornia$315.43—
El Centro, CACalifornia$315.44—
Fresno, CACalifornia$315.43—
Hanford, CACalifornia$315.43—

78290 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.

$251.98

$362.45

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

View every state and territory as a table
78290 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$317.881
AL$256.381
AR$251.981
AZ$282.251
CA$315.43–$409.4729
CO$307.541
CT$312.471
DC$339.781
DE$287.541
FL$280.74–$306.423
GA$262.78–$295.852
GU$326.081
HI$326.081
IA$266.511
ID$268.071
IL$269.48–$300.584
IN$269.971
KS$263.911
KY$261.151
LA$260.22–$275.642
MA$304.76–$343.072
MD$294.09–$339.783
ME$268.52–$287.422
MI$268.18–$283.682
MN$296.521
MO$254.15–$278.173
MS$253.181
MT$290.921
NC$272.021
ND$289.141
NE$268.581
NH$301.451
NJ$316.56–$335.052
NM$269.461
NV$290.691
NY$276.74–$345.165
OH$267.821
OK$261.801
OR$288.97–$320.022
PA$268.96–$302.802
PR$293.801
RI$299.791
SC$270.261
SD$288.931
TN$265.341
TX$266.78–$306.048
UT$274.661
VA$285.52–$339.782
VI$293.801
VT$286.781
WA$304.58–$351.832
WI$277.681
WV$257.391
WY$290.141

See 78290 in every payment locality

How the 78290 rate is calculated

Each of 78290’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 · 78290

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.66

0.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.96

7.96 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.7100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$290.92

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,310

Code
78290
Physician work
0.66
Practice expense
7.96
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 78290 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.66× 1.0000.6600
Practice expense7.96× 0.9177.2993
Malpractice0.09× 1.2010.1081
Total RVUs8.0674
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$269.46

Office: (0.66 × 1 + 7.96 × 0.917 + 0.09 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $269.46

Open 78290 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78290

The CMS indicators that decide how 78290 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78290

Intestinal imaging, ectopic gastric mucosa

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

78290 without 26 · national office

$290.92

Intestinal imaging, ectopic gastric mucosa

78290-26 · Professional component

$31.06

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 78290 has changed in New Mexico

78290 · Office / nonfacility

$269.46

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $262.64 to $269.46 (2.6%).

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

    $262.64changed to$269.46

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.68 changed to 0.66
    • Practice expense RVU 8.09 changed to 7.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $275.20changed to$262.64

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.24 changed to 8.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $270.71changed to$275.20

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $284.50changed to$270.71

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.45 changed to 8.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $292.59changed to$284.50

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.56 changed to 8.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $307.20changed to$292.59

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.95 changed to 8.56

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $312.46changed to$307.20

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.68 changed to 8.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $319.20changed to$312.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.77 changed to 8.68
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $324.81changed to$319.20

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.95 changed to 8.77

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $323.37changed to$324.81

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $322.82changed to$323.37

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 8.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $321.68changed to$322.82

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.90 changed to 8.97

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $320.08changed to$321.68

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $315.80changed to$320.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.78 changed to 8.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$315.80

    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$269.46Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$269.46Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$269.46Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$269.46Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$262.64Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$262.64Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$262.64Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$262.64Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$275.20Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$275.20Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$275.20Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$275.20Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$270.71Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$284.50Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$284.50Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$284.50Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$284.50Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$292.59Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$292.59Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$292.59Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$292.59Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$307.20Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$307.20Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$307.20Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$307.20Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$312.46Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$312.46Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$312.46Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$312.46Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$319.20Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$319.20Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$319.20Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$319.20Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$324.81Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$324.81Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$324.81Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$324.81Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$323.37Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$323.37Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$323.37Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$323.37Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$322.82Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$322.82Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$322.82Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$322.82Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$321.68Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$321.68Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$320.08Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$320.08Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$315.80Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$315.80Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$315.80Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$315.80Not 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 78290 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

78290 billing questions

When is this code appropriate for a suspected Meckel diverticulum?

Use it when the nuclear medicine study is directed at locating ectopic gastric mucosa in the intestine, a common reason to evaluate for Meckel diverticulum.

How does this differ from gastric mucosa imaging?

This code represents intestine-directed imaging, often for ectopic gastric mucosa. Use gastric mucosa imaging when the study is directed at the stomach itself.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

Yes. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service; without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The record should establish the intestinal imaging indication, such as suspected ectopic gastric mucosa, and include the imaging performed and the interpreting physician's findings.

Is this the code for locating active gastrointestinal bleeding?

Use the acute gastrointestinal blood-loss imaging code when the study is directed at localizing active bleeding. This code is for intestinal imaging such as evaluation for ectopic gastric mucosa.

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 78290PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,310 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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