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CPT code 78315: Bone imaging, three-phase acquisition2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a three-phase nuclear bone study that evaluates blood flow, soft-tissue activity, and delayed bone uptake in a targeted clinical assessment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality31.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $352.95 for 78315 in the office.

$352.95Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.4%vs the national office rate ($303.28)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78315 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 78315 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 78315 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 78315 covers

This study captures bone-related activity in three stages: blood flow, blood-pool or soft-tissue activity, and delayed skeletal uptake. Nuclear medicine technologists acquire the images, and a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist interprets them. Clinicians commonly request the study when assessing suspected osteomyelitis, a painful joint prosthesis, stress injury, or another focal bone or joint concern where the phases may help characterize the process.

Report 78315 when the performed protocol includes all three phases; a scan of several areas or a whole-body survey alone does not establish that the three-phase service was performed. The record should identify the clinical question and imaged region and support that the three phases were acquired and interpreted. This diagnostic test has separately priced professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, 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 Washington, DC area compares for 78315

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78315 runs from $264.03 in Arkansas to $423.33 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $352.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78315 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$352.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$352.35−$0.60
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$319.33−$33.62
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$309.17−$43.78
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$350.59−$2.36
  6. Alaska · Alaska$335.66−$17.29
  7. Alabama · Alabama$268.47−$84.48

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

78315 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$264.03—
ArizonaArizona$294.53—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$328.22—
Chico, CACalifornia$327.91—
El Centro, CACalifornia$327.93—
Fresno, CACalifornia$327.91—
Hanford, CACalifornia$327.91—
Madera, CACalifornia$327.91—

78315 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.

$264.03

$375.62

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

View every state and territory as a table
78315 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$335.661
AL$268.471
AR$264.031
AZ$294.531
CA$327.91–$423.3329
CO$320.031
CT$325.191
DC$352.951
DE$299.911
FL$293.22–$319.333
GA$275.10–$308.322
GU$338.441
HI$338.441
IA$278.581
ID$280.171
IL$281.94–$313.304
IN$282.081
KS$276.001
KY$273.371
LA$272.45–$287.992
MA$317.28–$356.042
MD$306.54–$352.953
ME$280.67–$299.652
MI$280.49–$296.232
MN$308.671
MO$266.36–$290.483
MS$265.311
MT$303.271
NC$284.191
ND$301.301
NE$280.651
NH$313.801
NJ$329.48–$348.292
NM$281.801
NV$302.991
NY$288.94–$358.705
OH$280.091
OK$273.981
OR$301.22–$332.582
PA$281.21–$315.462
PR$306.171
RI$312.351
SC$282.501
SD$301.061
TN$277.451
TX$279.02–$318.448
UT$286.931
VA$297.76–$352.952
VI$306.171
VT$298.961
WA$317.06–$364.902
WI$289.761
WV$269.761
WY$302.411

See 78315 in every payment locality

How the 78315 rate is calculated

Each of 78315’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 · 78315

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.99

0.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.99

7.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.0800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$303.28

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,328

Code
78315
Physician work
0.99
Practice expense
7.99
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 78315 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.99× 1.0541.0435
Practice expense7.99× 1.1789.4122
Malpractice0.10× 1.1130.1113
Total RVUs10.5670
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$352.95

Office: (0.99 × 1.054 + 7.99 × 1.178 + 0.1 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $352.95

Open 78315 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78315

The CMS indicators that decide how 78315 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78315

Bone imaging, three-phase acquisition

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

78315 without 26 · national office

$303.28

Bone imaging, three-phase acquisition

78315-26 · Professional component

$46.09

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78315

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

Codes related to 78315
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
78300Bone scan, limited areaLimited-area bone imaging is a different selection when the study is not performed as a three-phase protocol.$232.28
78305Bone imaging, multiple areasMultiple-area bone imaging reflects study extent rather than the three phases captured by 78315.$282.50
78306Bone imaging, whole bodyWhole-body bone imaging is selected for a whole-body survey rather than a three-phase examination.$301.67

How 78315 has changed in Washington, DC area

78315 · Office / nonfacility

$352.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.11 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $354.06 to $352.95 (0.3%).

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

    $354.06changed to$352.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.02 changed to 0.99
    • Practice expense RVU 8.19 changed to 7.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $372.28changed to$354.06

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.37 changed to 8.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $366.20changed to$372.28

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $391.99changed to$366.20

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.56 changed to 8.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $412.51changed to$391.99

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.68 changed to 8.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $432.75changed to$412.51

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.07 changed to 8.68

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $430.56changed to$432.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.79 changed to 9.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $427.70changed to$430.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.87 changed to 8.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $434.61changed to$427.70

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 9.04 changed to 8.87

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $432.11changed to$434.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 9.01 changed to 9.04
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $430.81changed to$432.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 9.00 changed to 9.01
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $431.06changed to$430.81

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 9.00

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $428.92changed to$431.06

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $422.03changed to$428.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.83 changed to 8.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$422.03

    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$352.95Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$352.95Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$352.95Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$352.95Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$354.06Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$354.06Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$354.06Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$354.06Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$372.28Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$372.28Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$372.28Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$372.28Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$366.20Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$391.99Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$391.99Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$391.99Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$391.99Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$412.51Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$412.51Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$412.51Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$412.51Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$432.75Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$432.75Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$432.75Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$432.75Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$430.56Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$430.56Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$430.56Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$430.56Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$427.70Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$427.70Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$427.70Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$427.70Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$434.61Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$434.61Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$434.61Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$434.61Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$432.11Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$432.11Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$432.11Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$432.11Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$430.81Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$430.81Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$430.81Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$430.81Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$431.06Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$431.06Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$428.92Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$428.92Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$422.03Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$422.03Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$422.03Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$422.03Not 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 78315 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

78315 billing questions

When should 78315 be selected instead of a limited-area bone scan?

Select 78315 when the examination includes the blood-flow, blood-pool, and delayed phases. A limited-area scan describes imaging extent, not a three-phase protocol.

Which modifier identifies the interpretation?

Use modifier 26 for the professional component, which represents interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical component; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports 78315?

Document the clinical reason, the region examined, acquisition of all three phases, and the interpreting clinician’s findings.

Does imaging more than one region by itself support 78315?

No. The defining feature is the three-phase protocol, not the number of areas imaged.

Can 78315 be reported for delayed images alone?

No. The performed examination must include the three phases; delayed skeletal images alone do not describe this service.

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 78315PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,328 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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