CPT code 78701: Kidney imaging, with vascular flow2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Reports radionuclide imaging of kidney morphology that includes vascular-flow images, used when the study evaluates renal appearance and perfusion.
Medicare pays $177.53–$194.22 for 78701 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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.
Where 78701 pays more and less in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$177.53 to $194.22
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $191.76 | Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $194.22 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Missouri | $177.53 | Unavailable |
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
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.
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic 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.
78701 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 78700Kidney imagingMorphology only
- Use 78700 for renal morphology imaging without vascular-flow images. 78701 includes the vascular-flow element.
- 78707Renal imagingSingle study, no drug
- 78707 is a renal flow-and-function study without pharmacologic intervention; 78701 reports morphology imaging with vascular flow.
- 78708Renal imagingPharmacologic intervention
- 78708 is a renal flow-and-function study with pharmacologic intervention. Select 78701 when the performed study is morphology imaging with vascular flow instead.
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
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