CPT code 78804: Tumor localization, whole body, two or more days2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports whole-body radiopharmaceutical tumor-localization imaging when image acquisition extends across two or more days for the diagnostic study.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $493.74 for 78804 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78804 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 78804 covers
This code represents a nuclear medicine tumor-localization study in which a radiopharmaceutical is used to identify tumor-related activity throughout the body, with imaging performed on at least two days. Nuclear medicine technologists acquire the images, and a qualified physician interprets them. The service is typically performed in a hospital or outpatient nuclear medicine department when the diagnostic protocol calls for delayed or serial whole-body imaging rather than a single-day acquisition.
Select the code based on whole-body coverage and the multi-day imaging protocol, not simply the number of images. Documentation should identify the clinical indication, radiopharmaceutical, body coverage, imaging dates or timepoints, and the physician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion, or neither modifier for the global service.
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 Alabama compares for 78804
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78804 runs from $485.14 in Arkansas to $794.36 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $493.74. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$493.74
- Los Angeles, CA · California$656.92+$163.18
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$656.68+$162.94
- Miami, FL · Florida$589.26+$95.52
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$569.61+$75.87
- Manhattan, NY · New York$650.67+$156.93
- Alaska · Alaska$609.62+$115.88
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $485.14 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $544.26 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $610.37 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $610.01 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $727.71 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $655.79 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $611.40 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $645.72 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $643.46 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $662.84 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $776.76 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $776.61 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $794.36 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $793.75 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $632.52 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $672.48 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $647.03 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $679.59 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $727.50 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $609.99 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $594.12 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $603.05 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $554.57 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $571.46 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $540.26 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $570.49 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $505.37 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $631.10 | — |
| IowaIowa | $513.97 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $516.92 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $523.61 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $517.99 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $578.87 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $520.65 | — |
| KansasKansas | $508.67 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $502.60 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $530.81 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $500.69 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $663.67 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $588.55 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $600.94 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $567.40 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $517.57 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $554.82 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $545.77 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $516.10 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $573.28 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $529.07 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $535.99 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $488.70 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $487.16 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $561.13 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $524.46 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $558.56 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $518.08 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $582.08 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $647.34 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $611.08 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $518.51 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $560.93 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $666.00 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $613.31 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $660.53 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $533.64 | — |
| OhioOhio | $515.58 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $504.09 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $618.72 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $557.75 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $584.05 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $517.92 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $566.83 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $578.58 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $520.66 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $558.25 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $511.44 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $591.10 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $513.66 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $555.73 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $558.72 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $553.53 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $556.98 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $559.36 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $533.99 | — |
| UtahUtah | $529.25 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $550.95 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $566.83 | — |
| VermontVermont | $553.75 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $588.30 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $680.94 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $536.12 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $494.35 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $560.01 | — |
78804 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$485.14
$702.18
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $609.62 | 1 |
| AL | $493.74 | 1 |
| AR | $485.14 | 1 |
| AZ | $544.26 | 1 |
| CA | $609.99–$794.36 | 29 |
| CO | $594.12 | 1 |
| CT | $603.05 | 1 |
| DC | $656.68 | 1 |
| DE | $554.57 | 1 |
| FL | $540.26–$589.26 | 3 |
| GA | $505.37–$570.49 | 2 |
| GU | $631.10 | 1 |
| HI | $631.10 | 1 |
| IA | $513.97 | 1 |
| ID | $516.92 | 1 |
| IL | $517.99–$578.87 | 4 |
| IN | $520.65 | 1 |
| KS | $508.67 | 1 |
| KY | $502.60 | 1 |
| LA | $500.69–$530.81 | 2 |
| MA | $588.55–$663.67 | 2 |
| MD | $567.40–$656.68 | 3 |
| ME | $517.57–$554.82 | 2 |
| MI | $516.10–$545.77 | 2 |
| MN | $573.28 | 1 |
| MO | $488.70–$535.99 | 3 |
| MS | $487.16 | 1 |
| MT | $561.13 | 1 |
| NC | $524.46 | 1 |
| ND | $558.56 | 1 |
| NE | $518.08 | 1 |
| NH | $582.08 | 1 |
| NJ | $611.08–$647.34 | 2 |
| NM | $518.51 | 1 |
| NV | $560.93 | 1 |
| NY | $533.64–$666.00 | 5 |
| OH | $515.58 | 1 |
| OK | $504.09 | 1 |
| OR | $557.75–$618.72 | 2 |
| PA | $517.92–$584.05 | 2 |
| PR | $566.83 | 1 |
| RI | $578.58 | 1 |
| SC | $520.66 | 1 |
| SD | $558.25 | 1 |
| TN | $511.44 | 1 |
| TX | $513.66–$591.10 | 8 |
| UT | $529.25 | 1 |
| VA | $550.95–$656.68 | 2 |
| VI | $566.83 | 1 |
| VT | $553.75 | 1 |
| WA | $588.30–$680.94 | 2 |
| WI | $536.12 | 1 |
| WV | $494.35 | 1 |
| WY | $560.01 | 1 |
How the 78804 rate is calculated
Each of 78804’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 · 78804
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.98
0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense15.69
15.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.13
0.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
16.8000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$561.14
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,524
- Code
- 78804
- Physician work
- 0.98
- Practice expense
- 15.69
- Malpractice
- 0.13
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.98 | × 1.000 | 0.9800 |
| Practice expense | 15.69 | × 0.875 | 13.7287 |
| Malpractice | 0.13 | × 0.566 | 0.0736 |
| Total RVUs | 14.7823 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$493.74
Office: (0.98 × 1 + 15.69 × 0.875 + 0.13 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $493.74
Payment rules and modifiers for 78804
The CMS indicators that decide how 78804 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78804
Tumor localization, whole body, two or more days
| 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
78804 without 26 · national office
$561.14
Tumor localization, whole body, two or more days
78804-26 · Professional component
$45.09
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78804 has changed in Alabama
78804 · Office / nonfacility
$493.74
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $10.22 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $483.52 to $493.74 (2.1%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$483.52changed to$493.74
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.01 changed to 0.98
- Practice expense RVU 15.96 changed to 15.69
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$511.57changed to$483.52
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 16.43 changed to 15.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$503.22changed to$511.57
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$540.09changed to$503.22
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 16.90 changed to 16.43
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$572.57changed to$540.09
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 17.36 changed to 16.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$605.83changed to$572.57
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 18.28 changed to 17.36
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$608.55changed to$605.83
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 17.72 changed to 18.28
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$527.91changed to$608.55
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Work RVU 1.07 changed to 1.01
- Practice expense RVU 15.19 changed to 17.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$535.98changed to$527.91
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 15.46 changed to 15.19
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$535.98
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $493.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $493.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $493.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $493.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $483.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $483.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $483.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $483.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $511.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $511.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $511.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $511.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $503.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $540.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $540.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $540.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $540.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $572.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $572.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $572.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $572.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $605.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $605.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $605.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $605.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $608.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $608.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $608.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $608.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $527.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $527.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $527.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $527.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $535.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $535.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $535.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
78804 billing questions
How does this differ from 78802?
78804 is for whole-body tumor-localization imaging performed over two or more days. Use 78802 when the whole-body study is completed on one day.
When should I choose 78800 or 78801 instead?
Those codes describe tumor-localization imaging of one area or multiple areas, rather than whole-body imaging. Choose according to the documented body coverage.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Report modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation or TC for the technical service; without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports 78804?
Document the whole-body coverage, radiopharmaceutical, clinical indication, image-acquisition dates or timepoints, and the interpreting physician’s findings.
Is 78804 the right code for SPECT tumor imaging?
Use the applicable SPECT tumor-localization code when the service is SPECT-based. 78804 identifies a multi-day whole-body study, not SPECT imaging.
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
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