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CPT code 78701: Kidney imaging, with vascular flow2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports radionuclide imaging of kidney morphology that includes vascular-flow images, used when the study evaluates renal appearance and perfusion.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality86 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $237.09 for 78701 in the office.

$237.09Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.7%vs the national office rate ($203.08)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78701 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 78701 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 78701 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 78701 covers

This nuclear medicine study captures images of the kidneys’ morphology along with the passage of radiotracer through the renal blood supply. A technologist performs the acquisition using nuclear imaging equipment, and a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician interprets the images. It may be selected when the requested study needs to show both renal structure and perfusion, rather than kidney morphology alone or a renal flow-and-function study.

Report 78701 when the documented examination includes the morphology and vascular-flow elements. The order and imaging report should support that scope; do not select it solely because a kidney study was performed. CMS prices the professional interpretation and technical acquisition separately when reported with modifier 26 or TC, respectively. Reporting the code without either modifier represents the global service, including both components.

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 78701

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78701 runs from $175.90 in Arkansas to $285.40 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $237.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78701 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$237.09
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$236.75−$0.34
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$214.23−$22.86
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$207.14−$29.95
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$235.40−$1.69
  6. Alaska · Alaska$222.05−$15.04
  7. Alabama · Alabama$178.97−$58.12

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

Every other payment area

78701 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$175.90—
ArizonaArizona$197.01—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$220.20—
Chico, CACalifornia$220.00—
El Centro, CACalifornia$220.01—
Fresno, CACalifornia$220.00—
Hanford, CACalifornia$220.00—
Madera, CACalifornia$220.00—

78701 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.

$175.90

$252.70

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

View every state and territory as a table
78701 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$222.051
AL$178.971
AR$175.901
AZ$197.011
CA$220.00–$285.4029
CO$214.581
CT$218.111
DC$237.091
DE$200.711
FL$196.13–$214.233
GA$183.58–$206.552
GU$227.401
HI$227.401
IA$185.971
ID$187.071
IL$188.32–$209.984
IN$188.391
KS$184.191
KY$182.381
LA$181.74–$192.502
MA$212.65–$239.312
MD$205.26–$237.093
ME$187.42–$200.552
MI$187.31–$198.222
MN$206.791
MO$177.53–$194.223
MS$176.791
MT$203.071
NC$189.861
ND$201.691
NE$187.401
NH$210.361
NJ$220.94–$233.802
NM$188.221
NV$202.871
NY$193.15–$241.025
OH$187.031
OK$182.791
OR$201.64–$223.242
PA$187.80–$211.392
PR$205.071
RI$209.221
SC$188.691
SD$201.521
TN$185.191
TX$186.29–$213.568
UT$191.761
VA$199.25–$237.092
VI$205.071
VT$200.081
WA$212.52–$245.382
WI$193.701
WV$179.891
WY$202.471

See 78701 in every payment locality

How the 78701 rate is calculated

Each of 78701’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 · 78701

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.48

0.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.53

5.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.0800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$203.08

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

9,485

Code
78701
Physician work
0.48
Practice expense
5.53
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 78701 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.48× 1.0540.5059
Practice expense5.53× 1.1786.5143
Malpractice0.07× 1.1130.0779
Total RVUs7.0982
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$237.09

Office: (0.48 × 1.054 + 5.53 × 1.178 + 0.07 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $237.09

Open 78701 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78701

The CMS indicators that decide how 78701 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78701

Kidney imaging, with vascular flow

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

78701 without 26 · national office

$203.08

Kidney imaging, with vascular flow

78701-26 · Professional component

$23.05

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78701

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

Codes related to 78701
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
78700Kidney imaging, morphology onlyRenal morphology imaging without the vascular-flow element.$178.65
Used instead
78707Renal imaging, single study, no drugRenal flow-and-function imaging without pharmacologic intervention.$242.61
78708Renal imaging, pharmacologic interventionRenal flow-and-function imaging with pharmacologic intervention.$197.90
78709Renal imaging, multiple flow and function studiesRenal flow-and-function imaging involving multiple studies.$378.46

How 78701 has changed in Washington, DC area

78701 · Office / nonfacility

$237.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $235.32 to $237.09 (0.8%).

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

    $235.32changed to$237.09

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
    • Practice expense RVU 5.61 changed to 5.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • 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

    $245.35changed to$235.32

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.69 changed to 5.61

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $241.34changed to$245.35

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $257.41changed to$241.34

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.77 changed to 5.69
    • 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

    $265.22changed to$257.41

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.77
    • 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

    $276.48changed to$265.22

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.93 changed to 5.72

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $272.51changed to$276.48

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.69 changed to 5.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • 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

    $269.15changed to$272.51

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.71 changed to 5.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • 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

    $270.14changed to$269.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.75 changed to 5.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $264.62changed to$270.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.75
    • 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

    $262.34changed to$264.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.60 changed to 5.64
    • 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

    $261.55changed to$262.34

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.56 changed to 5.60

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $260.25changed to$261.55

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $260.00changed to$260.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.55 changed to 5.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • 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

    $260.68changed to$260.00

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.91 changed to 5.55
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $260.68

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$237.09Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$237.09Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$237.09Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$237.09Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$235.32Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$235.32Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$235.32Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$235.32Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$245.35Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$245.35Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$245.35Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$245.35Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$241.34Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$257.41Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$257.41Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$257.41Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$257.41Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$265.22Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$265.22Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$265.22Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$265.22Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$276.48Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$276.48Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$276.48Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$276.48Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$272.51Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$272.51Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$272.51Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$272.51Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$269.15Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$269.15Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$269.15Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$269.15Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$270.14Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$270.14Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$270.14Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$270.14Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$264.62Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$264.62Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$264.62Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$264.62Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$262.34Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$262.34Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$262.34Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$262.34Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$261.55Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$261.55Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$260.25Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$260.25Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$260.00Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$260.00Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$260.00Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$260.00Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$260.68Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$260.68Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$260.68Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$260.68Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78701 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

78701 billing questions

How does 78701 differ from 78700?

78701 includes vascular-flow imaging with kidney morphology. Use 78700 for renal morphology imaging without the vascular-flow element.

When should 78701 be chosen over 78707?

Choose 78701 for a morphology study that includes vascular flow. 78707 describes a renal flow-and-function study performed without pharmacologic intervention.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

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

What documentation supports reporting 78701?

The order and report should identify a kidney morphology examination with vascular-flow imaging. The report should make clear that the study included both elements.

Does 78701 describe a renal function study?

It describes kidney morphology imaging with vascular flow. A flow-and-function study is represented by a different renal imaging code, selected according to the study performed.

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 78701PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,485 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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