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CPT code 78803: Tumor SPECT, single body area2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports radiopharmaceutical tumor localization with SPECT in one body area, such as the chest or pelvis, when functional imaging is performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality43.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $390.82 for 78803 in the office.

$390.82Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.4%vs the national office rate ($335.68)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78803 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 78803 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 78803 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 78803 covers

This service uses a radiopharmaceutical and a gamma camera to create SPECT images that help localize tumor activity in one body area. A nuclear medicine physician interprets the study; imaging may be performed in a hospital department or outpatient imaging center. Examples of a single area include the chest, pelvis, or head and neck region.

Select this code when the study uses SPECT for one area; the number and location of imaged areas should be clear in the order and imaging report. The record should support the radiopharmaceutical study, the body area examined, the acquisition performed, and the physician’s interpretation. Report the global service without a component modifier, or separate the interpretation with modifier 26 from the equipment and staff component with modifier TC. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical 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 78803

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78803 runs from $292.19 in Arkansas to $469.27 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $390.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

78803 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$390.82
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$390.35−$0.47
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$352.96−$37.86
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$341.74−$49.08
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$388.01−$2.81
  6. Alaska · Alaska$371.18−$19.64
  7. Alabama · Alabama$297.11−$93.71

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

Every other payment area

78803 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$292.19—
ArizonaArizona$325.99—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$363.55—
Chico, CACalifornia$363.24—
El Centro, CACalifornia$363.25—
Fresno, CACalifornia$363.24—
Hanford, CACalifornia$363.24—
Madera, CACalifornia$363.24—

78803 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.

$292.19

$416.26

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

View every state and territory as a table
78803 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$371.181
AL$297.111
AR$292.191
AZ$325.991
CA$363.24–$469.2729
CO$354.381
CT$359.951
DC$390.821
DE$331.961
FL$324.29–$352.963
GA$304.25–$341.212
GU$374.951
HI$374.951
IA$308.431
ID$310.161
IL$311.73–$346.524
IN$312.291
KS$305.521
KY$302.441
LA$301.39–$318.612
MA$351.30–$394.372
MD$339.32–$390.823
ME$310.66–$331.772
MI$310.28–$327.582
MN$341.941
MO$294.62–$321.433
MS$293.531
MT$335.671
NC$314.581
ND$333.701
NE$310.741
NH$347.441
NJ$364.74–$385.652
NM$311.701
NV$335.421
NY$319.84–$396.935
OH$309.871
OK$303.161
OR$333.50–$368.352
PA$311.15–$349.142
PR$338.901
RI$345.791
SC$312.611
SD$333.461
TN$307.111
TX$308.72–$352.598
UT$317.521
VA$329.65–$390.822
VI$338.901
VT$331.061
WA$351.08–$404.242
WI$320.901
WV$298.221
WY$334.811

See 78803 in every payment locality

How the 78803 rate is calculated

Each of 78803’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 · 78803

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.06

1.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.89

8.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.0500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$335.68

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

9,521

Code
78803
Physician work
1.06
Practice expense
8.89
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 78803 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.06× 1.0541.1172
Practice expense8.89× 1.17810.4724
Malpractice0.10× 1.1130.1113
Total RVUs11.7010
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$390.82

Office: (1.06 × 1.054 + 8.89 × 1.178 + 0.1 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $390.82

Open 78803 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 78803

The CMS indicators that decide how 78803 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 78803

Tumor SPECT, single body area

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
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

78803 without 26 · national office

$335.68

Tumor SPECT, single body area

78803-26 · Professional component

$49.10

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 78803

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

Codes related to 78803
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
78800Tumor imaging, single area, one dayTumor localization in a limited area without SPECT.$270.28
78801Tumor imaging, two or more areas, one dayTumor localization without SPECT when two or more areas are imaged.$279.79
78830Tumor SPECT/CT, single imaging areaAdds concurrently acquired CT for anatomic localization to single-area SPECT.$489.50
Same family
78831Tumor SPECT, two or more areasSPECT tumor localization for two areas rather than one.$726.13

How 78803 has changed in Washington, DC area

78803 · Office / nonfacility

$390.82

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $386.15 to $390.82 (1.2%).

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

    $386.15changed to$390.82

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.09 changed to 1.06
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 8.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 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

    $408.47changed to$386.15

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.23 changed to 8.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $401.81changed to$408.47

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $431.52changed to$401.81

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.46 changed to 9.23
    • 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

    $457.83changed to$431.52

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.68 changed to 9.46
    • 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

    $484.06changed to$457.83

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.20 changed to 9.68

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $483.44changed to$484.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.93 changed to 10.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 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

    $419.92changed to$483.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.63 changed to 9.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $429.43changed to$419.92

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.86 changed to 8.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $426.10changed to$429.43

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.81 changed to 8.86
    • 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

    $421.79changed to$426.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.73 changed to 8.81
    • 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

    $422.45changed to$421.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.71 changed to 8.73

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $420.34changed to$422.45

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $410.88changed to$420.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.51 changed to 8.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $414.11changed to$410.88

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 9.13 changed to 8.51
    • 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: $414.11

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$390.82Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$390.82Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$390.82Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$390.82Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$386.15Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$386.15Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$386.15Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$386.15Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$408.47Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$408.47Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$408.47Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$408.47Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$401.81Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$431.52Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$431.52Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$431.52Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$431.52Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$457.83Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$457.83Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$457.83Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$457.83Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$484.06Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$484.06Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$484.06Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$484.06Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$483.44Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$483.44Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$483.44Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$483.44Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$419.92Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$419.92Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$419.92Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$419.92Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$429.43Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$429.43Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$429.43Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$429.43Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$426.10Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$426.10Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$426.10Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$426.10Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$421.79Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$421.79Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$421.79Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$421.79Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$422.45Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$422.45Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$420.34Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$420.34Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$410.88Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$410.88Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$410.88Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$410.88Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$414.11Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$414.11Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$414.11Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$414.11Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 78803 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

78803 billing questions

How does 78803 differ from 78800?

78803 describes SPECT imaging of one body area. 78800 is the related limited-area tumor localization code for imaging without SPECT.

When should 78830 be considered instead?

Use 78830 when the tumor localization study combines SPECT with a concurrently acquired CT scan for anatomic localization in one area.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff component. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Does CMS apply a multiple procedure reduction to 78803?

Yes. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.

What supports reporting one area?

The order and imaging report should identify the body area studied and document the SPECT acquisition and interpretation. Use a code for a different extent when the study covers multiple areas or the whole body.

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 78803PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,521 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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