CPT code 78306: Bone imaging, whole body2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced, CA

Reports planar radionuclide imaging of the whole skeleton, commonly used to evaluate suspected bone metastases, unexplained bone pain, or other skeletal abnormalities.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality133.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Merced, CA, Medicare pays $280.36 for 78306 in the office.

$280.36Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+8.2%vs the national office rate ($259.19)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78306 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 78306 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Merced, CA
  2. What 78306 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 78306 covers

This service is a whole-body skeletal scan using a radiopharmaceutical that accumulates in areas of bone turnover. Nuclear medicine technologists acquire the images, and a nuclear medicine physician or other qualified physician interprets them. Common clinical uses include surveying for skeletal metastases, such as during cancer evaluation, and assessing multifocal or unexplained bone abnormalities. The scan may be performed in a hospital or an imaging center.

Select 78306 when the documented imaging covers the whole body, rather than a limited region or multiple selected areas. The report should support the extent of imaging and the clinical interpretation. The code may be billed globally, or the professional interpretation may be reported with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC. Medicare’s diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components when applicable.

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 78306

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78306 runs from $225.68 in Arkansas to $362.02 in San Benito County, CA. Merced, CA pays $280.36. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78306 in Merced, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Merced, CA · this page$280.36
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$280.61+$0.25
  3. Chico, CA · California$280.36
  4. El Centro, CA · California$280.37+$0.01
  5. Fresno, CA · California$280.36
  6. Hanford, CA · California$280.36
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$301.25+$20.89

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

Every other payment area

78306 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$280.36—
Modesto, CACalifornia$280.36—
Napa, CACalifornia$332.29—
Oxnard, CACalifornia$300.55—
Redding, CACalifornia$280.36—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$280.36—
Riverside, CACalifornia$281.24—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$296.20—

78306 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.

$225.68

$321.19

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

View every state and territory as a table
78306 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$286.871
AL$229.471
AR$225.681
AZ$251.721
CA$280.36–$362.0229
CO$273.561
CT$277.901
DC$301.671
DE$256.321
FL$250.48–$272.643
GA$235.03–$263.472
GU$289.371
HI$289.371
IA$238.161
ID$239.511
IL$240.82–$267.624
IN$241.141
KS$235.931
KY$233.601
LA$232.81–$246.082
MA$271.21–$304.372
MD$261.99–$301.673
ME$239.90–$256.152
MI$239.66–$253.032
MN$263.941
MO$227.59–$248.233
MS$226.741
MT$259.191
NC$242.921
ND$257.601
NE$239.941
NH$268.221
NJ$281.59–$297.692
NM$240.771
NV$258.971
NY$246.97–$306.465
OH$239.341
OK$234.151
OR$257.48–$284.322
PA$240.31–$269.582
PR$261.661
RI$266.971
SC$241.431
SD$257.421
TN$237.161
TX$238.44–$272.198
UT$245.211
VA$254.52–$301.672
VI$261.661
VT$255.591
WA$271.03–$311.972
WI$247.751
WV$230.411
WY$258.501

See 78306 in every payment locality

How the 78306 rate is calculated

Each of 78306’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 · 78306

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.84

0.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.84

6.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.08

0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.7600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$259.19

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

9,325

Code
78306
Physician work
0.84
Practice expense
6.84
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 78306 in Merced, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.84× 1.0170.8543
Practice expense6.84× 1.0967.4966
Malpractice0.08× 0.5360.0429
Total RVUs8.3938
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Merced, CA$280.36

Office: (0.84 × 1.017 + 6.84 × 1.096 + 0.08 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $280.36

Open 78306 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78306

The CMS indicators that decide how 78306 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78306

Bone imaging, whole body

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
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

78306 without 26 · national office

$259.19

Bone imaging, whole body

78306-26 · Professional component

$38.75

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 78306 has changed in Merced, CA

78306 · Office / nonfacility

$280.36

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.93 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $276.43 to $280.36 (1.4%).

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

    $276.43changed to$280.36

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.86 changed to 0.84
    • Practice expense RVU 6.98 changed to 6.84
    • 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.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $290.30changed to$276.43

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.14 changed to 6.98

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $285.56changed to$290.30

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $298.61changed to$285.56

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.31 changed to 7.14
    • 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
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $306.79changed to$298.61

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 7.31
    • 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.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $324.57changed to$306.79

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.86 changed to 7.45

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $329.67changed to$324.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.66 changed to 7.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • 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.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $334.16changed to$329.67

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.78 changed to 7.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.10
    • 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.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $340.96changed to$334.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.96 changed to 7.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $281.74changed to$340.96

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.42 changed to 7.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • 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.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$281.74

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$280.36Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$280.36Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$280.36Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$280.36Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$276.43Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$276.43Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$276.43Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$276.43Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$290.30Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$290.30Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$290.30Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$290.30Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$285.56Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$298.61Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$298.61Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$298.61Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$298.61Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$306.79Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$306.79Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$306.79Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$306.79Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$324.57Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$324.57Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$324.57Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$324.57Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$329.67Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$329.67Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$329.67Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$329.67Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$334.16Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$334.16Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$334.16Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$334.16Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$340.96Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$340.96Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$340.96Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$340.96Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$281.74Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$281.74Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$281.74Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$281.74Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78306 for an earlier date of service

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

Browse all communities in California

78306 billing questions

How does 78306 differ from 78300 or 78305?

78306 describes whole-body skeletal imaging. Use 78300 for a limited area and 78305 for multiple areas when the study does not cover the whole body.

When is 78315 a better fit?

78315 is for a three-phase bone study, which includes sequential imaging phases. Choose based on the study performed and documented, not simply the body area examined.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

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

Does 78306 include SPECT imaging?

78306 represents whole-body imaging; SPECT is a distinct tomographic acquisition. When SPECT is performed and separately reportable, 78320 may be relevant.

Can Medicare reduce payment when multiple imaging procedures are performed?

Medicare’s diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components of 78306 when applicable.

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 78306PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,325 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Merced, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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