CPT code 78709: Renal imaging, multiple flow and function studies2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

Medicare pays $351.61–$451.44 for 78709 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. 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.

What 78709 covers

This service uses a radiopharmaceutical and nuclear imaging to assess renal perfusion and function across multiple studies. A nuclear medicine technologist typically acquires the images in a hospital department or imaging center, and a physician interprets the findings. Such imaging may help evaluate renal function or suspected urinary obstruction; the documented protocol should make clear what studies were performed and what they assessed.

Select this code when the service comprises multiple kidney flow and function studies, not simply multiple images or views within one study. The report should identify the study protocols and findings supporting that scope. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or neither modifier for the global service. CMS separately prices both modifiers.

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 78709 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 78709 rate is calculated

Each of 78709’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 78709

The CMS indicators that decide how 78709 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

78709 compared with similar codes

How to choose

78707Renal imagingSingle study, no drug

Use 78707 for one renal flow and function study without pharmacological intervention. This code describes multiple studies.

78708Renal imagingPharmacologic intervention

Use 78708 for one renal flow and function study with pharmacological intervention. This code is for multiple studies.

78701Kidney imagingWith vascular flow

78701 focuses on kidney morphology with vascular flow; this code describes multiple studies evaluating renal flow and function.

Codes related to 78709

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates