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CPT code 78800: Tumor imaging, single area, one day2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports planar radiopharmaceutical imaging to localize a tumor in one body area when imaging is performed on a single day.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $270.28 for 78800 in the office.

$270.28Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.6%vs the national office rate ($231.80)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78800 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 78800 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 78800 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 78800 covers

This service covers planar nuclear medicine imaging after administration of a radiopharmaceutical to assess tumor location in one body area, such as a region of clinical concern in an oncology evaluation. A nuclear medicine technologist performs the acquisition, with interpretation by a qualified physician, commonly a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician. The study is selected when the examination covers one area and imaging occurs on one day, rather than multiple areas, whole-body imaging, or SPECT-based imaging.

The record should identify the clinical indication, radiopharmaceutical study, imaged area, acquisition method, and imaging date. Choose the code based on the study performed, not simply the number of images obtained. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or no component modifier when billing the global service. The physician’s report should support the diagnostic interpretation of the acquired images.

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 78800

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78800 runs from $200.89 in Arkansas to $324.36 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $270.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78800 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$270.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$269.55−$0.73
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$245.43−$24.85
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$237.31−$32.97
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$268.74−$1.54
  6. Alaska · Alaska$254.16−$16.12
  7. Alabama · Alabama$204.38−$65.90

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

Every other payment area

78800 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$200.89—
ArizonaArizona$224.88—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$250.83—
Chico, CACalifornia$250.55—
El Centro, CACalifornia$250.57—
Fresno, CACalifornia$250.55—
Hanford, CACalifornia$250.55—
Madera, CACalifornia$250.55—

78800 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.

$200.89

$287.46

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

View every state and territory as a table
78800 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$254.161
AL$204.381
AR$200.891
AZ$224.881
CA$250.55–$324.3629
CO$244.621
CT$248.911
DC$270.281
DE$229.081
FL$224.34–$245.433
GA$210.01–$235.862
GU$258.861
HI$258.861
IA$212.131
ID$213.421
IL$215.61–$240.144
IN$214.921
KS$210.201
KY$208.461
LA$207.77–$220.002
MA$242.47–$272.592
MD$234.23–$270.283
ME$213.92–$228.702
MI$214.16–$226.822
MN$235.481
MO$203.05–$221.843
MS$202.051
MT$231.801
NC$216.681
ND$229.821
NE$213.731
NH$239.901
NJ$252.07–$266.572
NM$215.231
NV$231.451
NY$220.42–$275.265
OH$213.751
OK$208.831
OR$229.98–$254.342
PA$214.58–$241.342
PR$234.041
RI$238.691
SC$215.511
SD$229.581
TN$211.351
TX$212.87–$243.518
UT$219.001
VA$227.29–$270.282
VI$234.041
VT$228.071
WA$242.28–$279.392
WI$220.771
WV$206.031
WY$230.931

See 78800 in every payment locality

How the 78800 rate is calculated

Each of 78800’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 · 78800

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.62

0.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.22

6.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.9400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$231.80

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

9,512

Code
78800
Physician work
0.62
Practice expense
6.22
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 78800 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.62× 1.0540.6535
Practice expense6.22× 1.1787.3272
Malpractice0.10× 1.1130.1113
Total RVUs8.0919
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$270.28

Office: (0.62 × 1.054 + 6.22 × 1.178 + 0.1 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $270.28

Open 78800 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78800

The CMS indicators that decide how 78800 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78800

Tumor imaging, single area, one day

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

78800 without 26 · national office

$231.80

Tumor imaging, single area, one day

78800-26 · Professional component

$30.73

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78800

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

Codes related to 78800
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
78801Tumor imaging, two or more areas, one dayTumor-localization imaging covering multiple areas, with imaging on one or more days.$279.79
78802Tumor imaging, whole body, single dayWhole-body tumor-localization imaging performed on one day.$314.91
78803Tumor SPECT, single body areaSPECT tumor-localization imaging of one area.$390.82
78830Tumor SPECT/CT, single imaging areaSPECT tumor-localization imaging with CT for one area.$489.50
Often billed with
78808Radiopharmaceutical injection, diagnostic intravenous administrationRadiopharmaceutical injection procedure that may accompany the imaging study.$47.59

How 78800 has changed in Washington, DC area

78800 · Office / nonfacility

$270.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $260.87 to $270.28 (3.6%).

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

    $260.87changed to$270.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • Practice expense RVU 6.11 changed to 6.22
    • 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

    $273.60changed to$260.87

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.23 changed to 6.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $269.14changed to$273.60

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $286.65changed to$269.14

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.33 changed to 6.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $303.69changed to$286.65

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.46 changed to 6.33
    • 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

    $320.87changed to$303.69

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.80 changed to 6.46

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $322.27changed to$320.87

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.68 changed to 6.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 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

    $240.02changed to$322.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64
    • Practice expense RVU 4.85 changed to 6.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • 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

    $241.47changed to$240.02

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.90 changed to 4.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $239.97changed to$241.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 4.90
    • 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

    $236.92changed to$239.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.82 changed to 4.88
    • 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

    $235.52changed to$236.92

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.80 changed to 4.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $234.35changed to$235.52

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $230.22changed to$234.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.70 changed to 4.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • 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

    $230.45changed to$230.22

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.01 changed to 4.70
    • 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: $230.45

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$270.28Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$270.28Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$270.28Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$270.28Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$260.87Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$260.87Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$260.87Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$260.87Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$273.60Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$273.60Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$273.60Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$273.60Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$269.14Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$286.65Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$286.65Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$286.65Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$286.65Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$303.69Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$303.69Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$303.69Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$303.69Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$320.87Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$320.87Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$320.87Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$320.87Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$322.27Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$322.27Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$322.27Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$322.27Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$240.02Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$240.02Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$240.02Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$240.02Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$241.47Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$241.47Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$241.47Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$241.47Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$239.97Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$239.97Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$239.97Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$239.97Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$236.92Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$236.92Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$236.92Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$236.92Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$235.52Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$235.52Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$234.35Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$234.35Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$230.22Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$230.22Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$230.22Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$230.22Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$230.45Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$230.45Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$230.45Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$230.45Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78800 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

78800 billing questions

How does this differ from 78801?

Use 78800 for imaging of one area on one day. Code 78801 describes imaging of multiple areas, with one or more days of imaging.

Can 78800 be used for SPECT imaging?

No. This code describes planar tumor-localization imaging. For SPECT of one area, consider 78803; SPECT with CT is represented by 78830.

Which modifier identifies the physician interpretation?

Append modifier 26 when billing only the professional component. Modifier TC identifies the technical component; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What should the report document?

Document the tumor-localization indication, the single body area examined, the radiopharmaceutical imaging performed, and the imaging date. The physician report should support the interpretation.

Is radiopharmaceutical injection reported with this imaging code?

The injection procedure may be separately represented by 78808 when performed and supported by the record. Code 78800 represents the imaging 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 78800PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,512 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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