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CPT code 78700: Kidney imaging, morphology only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Static renal scintigraphy depicts kidney anatomy and cortical pattern when the clinical question concerns morphology rather than perfusion or function.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality206 Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $178.24 for 78700 in the office.

$178.24Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.3%vs the national office rate ($153.31)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78700 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 78700 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 78700 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 78700 covers

This nuclear medicine study produces images of the kidneys’ location, size, contour, and cortical pattern after administration of a radiopharmaceutical. It may be used when evaluation centers on renal anatomy or suspected cortical abnormalities, such as scarring. A nuclear medicine technologist typically acquires the images in an imaging department, and a physician interprets the study.

Choose 78700 when the performed study evaluates renal morphology, rather than renal blood flow or function. The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the study performed, and the physician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: the interpreting physician may report modifier 26, the equipment-and-staff portion may be reported with modifier TC, and billing without either modifier 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 Los Angeles, CA compares for 78700

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78700 runs from $133.08 in Arkansas to $214.38 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $178.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78700 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$178.24
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$165.92−$12.32
  3. Chico, CA · California$165.74−$12.50
  4. El Centro, CA · California$165.75−$12.49
  5. Fresno, CA · California$165.74−$12.50
  6. Hanford, CA · California$165.74−$12.50
  7. Madera, CA · California$165.74−$12.50

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

Every other payment area

78700 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$165.74—
Modesto, CACalifornia$165.74—
Napa, CACalifornia$196.69—
Oxnard, CACalifornia$177.83—
Redding, CACalifornia$165.74—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$165.74—
Riverside, CACalifornia$166.39—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$175.18—

78700 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.

$133.08

$190.06

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

View every state and territory as a table
78700 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$168.641
AL$135.361
AR$133.081
AZ$148.791
CA$165.74–$214.3829
CO$161.791
CT$164.541
DC$178.651
DE$151.541
FL$148.31–$161.983
GA$138.94–$155.942
GU$171.181
HI$171.181
IA$140.491
ID$141.331
IL$142.55–$158.654
IN$142.311
KS$139.201
KY$137.981
LA$137.52–$145.522
MA$160.38–$180.192
MD$154.93–$178.653
ME$141.62–$151.342
MI$141.68–$149.902
MN$155.861
MO$134.41–$146.763
MS$133.801
MT$153.311
NC$143.431
ND$152.121
NE$141.541
NH$158.661
NJ$166.66–$176.232
NM$142.371
NV$153.111
NY$145.88–$181.795
OH$141.441
OK$138.251
OR$152.17–$168.202
PA$142.00–$159.562
PR$154.781
RI$157.881
SC$142.631
SD$151.981
TN$139.951
TX$140.87–$161.038
UT$144.911
VA$150.40–$178.652
VI$154.781
VT$150.951
WA$160.26–$184.692
WI$146.191
WV$136.281
WY$152.791

See 78700 in every payment locality

How the 78700 rate is calculated

Each of 78700’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 · 78700

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.44

0.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.09

4.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.5900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$153.31

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,482

Code
78700
Physician work
0.44
Practice expense
4.09
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 78700 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.44× 1.0410.4580
Practice expense4.09× 1.1834.8385
Malpractice0.06× 0.6640.0398
Total RVUs5.3363
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$178.24

Office: (0.44 × 1.041 + 4.09 × 1.183 + 0.06 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $178.24

Open 78700 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78700

The CMS indicators that decide how 78700 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78700

Kidney imaging, morphology 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

78700 without 26 · national office

$153.31

Kidney imaging, morphology only

78700-26 · Professional component

$20.04

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78700

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

Codes related to 78700
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Same family
78701Kidney imaging, with vascular flowRelated renal imaging that adds assessment of blood flow.$236.75
78707Renal imaging, single study, no drugRenal imaging focused on flow and function without pharmacologic intervention.$241.73
78708Renal imaging, pharmacologic interventionRenal flow and function imaging with pharmacologic intervention.$196.38
78709Renal imaging, multiple flow and function studiesRenal flow and function imaging involving multiple pharmacologic interventions.$377.29
Used instead
78725Kidney function study, quantitative clearanceA renal function study, rather than morphology-focused imaging.$114.95

How 78700 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

78700 · Office / nonfacility

$178.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.09 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $178.33 to $178.24 (0.1%).

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

    $178.33changed to$178.24

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense RVU 4.19 changed to 4.09
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $185.51changed to$178.33

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.24 changed to 4.19

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $182.48changed to$185.51

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $190.08changed to$182.48

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.30 changed to 4.24
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $194.37changed to$190.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.34 changed to 4.30
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $204.18changed to$194.37

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.54 changed to 4.34

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $204.63changed to$204.18

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.39 changed to 4.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $205.70changed to$204.63

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.42 changed to 4.39
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $210.98changed to$205.70

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.55 changed to 4.42

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $207.56changed to$210.98

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 4.55
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $205.97changed to$207.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $205.23changed to$205.97

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.49 changed to 4.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $204.21changed to$205.23

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $203.06changed to$204.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.45 changed to 4.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $207.60changed to$203.06

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.85 changed to 4.45
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$207.60

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$178.24Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$178.24Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$178.24Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$178.24Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$178.33Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$178.33Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$178.33Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$178.33Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$185.51Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$185.51Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$185.51Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$185.51Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$182.48Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$190.08Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$190.08Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$190.08Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$190.08Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$194.37Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$194.37Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$194.37Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$194.37Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$204.18Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$204.18Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$204.18Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$204.18Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$204.63Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$204.63Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$204.63Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$204.63Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$205.70Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$205.70Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$205.70Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$205.70Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$210.98Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$210.98Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$210.98Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$210.98Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$207.56Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$207.56Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$207.56Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$207.56Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$205.97Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$205.97Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$205.97Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$205.97Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$205.23Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$205.23Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$204.21Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$204.21Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$203.06Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$203.06Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$203.06Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$203.06Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$207.60Not 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 78700 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

78700 billing questions

When should 78700 be chosen instead of 78701?

Use 78700 for a study focused on renal morphology. Use 78701 when the imaging protocol includes assessment of renal blood flow.

How does 78700 differ from 78707 or 78708?

Those codes describe renal imaging that evaluates flow and function. Code 78700 is for morphology-focused imaging.

Which modifiers identify the professional and technical portions?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Reporting the code without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 78700?

Document the clinical indication, the morphology-focused imaging performed, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The record should distinguish the study from a renal flow or function protocol.

Can 78700 be reported for a renal function study?

Not when the performed study is a function study rather than morphology imaging. Consider the renal function code that matches the actual protocol, such as 78725.

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 78700PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,482 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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