CPT code 78831: Tumor SPECT, two or more areas2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Reports radiopharmaceutical tumor imaging with SPECT across two or more areas when tomographic views are used to localize or assess tumor involvement.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $577.65 for 78831 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 78831 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 78831 covers
This service uses a radiopharmaceutical and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to show tumor-related uptake in two or more areas. Nuclear medicine departments commonly perform the acquisition, and a qualified physician interprets the study for an oncologic workup, such as evaluating suspected tumor distribution or recurrence. The code represents SPECT imaging without the CT component specified by related SPECT/CT codes.
Select this service when the imaging covers at least two areas and includes SPECT; distinguish the count and imaging method from single-area SPECT, SPECT/CT, and planar tumor-localization services. The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the areas examined, the radiopharmaceutical study performed, and the physician’s interpretation. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service; reporting 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.
How New Mexico compares for 78831
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 78831 runs from $541.59 in Arkansas to $873.79 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $577.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$577.65
- Los Angeles, CA · California$725.75+$148.10
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$726.13+$148.48
- Miami, FL · Florida$653.99+$76.34
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$633.05+$55.40
- Manhattan, NY · New York$720.31+$142.66
- Alaska · Alaska$686.39+$108.74
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $550.80 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $541.59 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $604.84 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $675.57 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $675.09 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $801.61 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $724.21 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $676.82 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $713.60 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $711.08 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $731.71 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $854.62 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $854.44 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $873.79 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $873.05 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $699.08 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $741.76 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $714.81 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $749.55 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $801.35 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $675.06 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $658.21 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $668.23 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $615.98 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $634.50 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $601.04 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $633.11 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $563.64 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $697.19 | — |
| IowaIowa | $572.23 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $575.43 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $583.67 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $577.35 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $642.54 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $579.41 | — |
| KansasKansas | $566.66 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $560.48 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $590.70 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $558.48 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $733.10 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $652.39 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $665.91 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $629.78 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $576.23 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $615.93 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $607.05 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $575.03 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $635.36 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $588.74 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $596.13 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $545.72 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $543.91 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $622.92 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $583.58 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $619.75 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $576.60 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $645.16 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $716.37 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $677.19 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $622.59 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $736.84 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $679.76 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $730.71 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $593.42 | — |
| OhioOhio | $574.38 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $561.98 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $684.49 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $619.11 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $647.92 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $576.84 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $628.99 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $641.90 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $579.68 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $619.38 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $569.63 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $654.83 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $572.29 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $617.20 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $620.47 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $614.95 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $618.57 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $621.50 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $593.93 | — |
| UtahUtah | $588.87 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $611.86 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $628.99 | — |
| VermontVermont | $614.70 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $652.02 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $751.68 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $595.77 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $552.07 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $621.54 | — |
78831 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.
$541.59
$774.43
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 | $686.39 | 1 |
| AL | $550.80 | 1 |
| AR | $541.59 | 1 |
| AZ | $604.84 | 1 |
| CA | $675.06–$873.79 | 29 |
| CO | $658.21 | 1 |
| CT | $668.23 | 1 |
| DC | $726.13 | 1 |
| DE | $615.98 | 1 |
| FL | $601.04–$653.99 | 3 |
| GA | $563.64–$633.11 | 2 |
| GU | $697.19 | 1 |
| HI | $697.19 | 1 |
| IA | $572.23 | 1 |
| ID | $575.43 | 1 |
| IL | $577.35–$642.54 | 4 |
| IN | $579.41 | 1 |
| KS | $566.66 | 1 |
| KY | $560.48 | 1 |
| LA | $558.48–$590.70 | 2 |
| MA | $652.39–$733.10 | 2 |
| MD | $629.78–$726.13 | 3 |
| ME | $576.23–$615.93 | 2 |
| MI | $575.03–$607.05 | 2 |
| MN | $635.36 | 1 |
| MO | $545.72–$596.13 | 3 |
| MS | $543.91 | 1 |
| MT | $622.92 | 1 |
| NC | $583.58 | 1 |
| ND | $619.75 | 1 |
| NE | $576.60 | 1 |
| NH | $645.16 | 1 |
| NJ | $677.19–$716.37 | 2 |
| NM | $577.65 | 1 |
| NV | $622.59 | 1 |
| NY | $593.42–$736.84 | 5 |
| OH | $574.38 | 1 |
| OK | $561.98 | 1 |
| OR | $619.11–$684.49 | 2 |
| PA | $576.84–$647.92 | 2 |
| PR | $628.99 | 1 |
| RI | $641.90 | 1 |
| SC | $579.68 | 1 |
| SD | $619.38 | 1 |
| TN | $569.63 | 1 |
| TX | $572.29–$654.83 | 8 |
| UT | $588.87 | 1 |
| VA | $611.86–$726.13 | 2 |
| VI | $628.99 | 1 |
| VT | $614.70 | 1 |
| WA | $652.02–$751.68 | 2 |
| WI | $595.77 | 1 |
| WV | $552.07 | 1 |
| WY | $621.54 | 1 |
How the 78831 rate is calculated
Each of 78831’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 · 78831
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.77
1.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense16.72
16.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
18.6500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$622.93
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
9,549
- Code
- 78831
- Physician work
- 1.77
- Practice expense
- 16.72
- Malpractice
- 0.16
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.77 | × 1.000 | 1.7700 |
| Practice expense | 16.72 | × 0.917 | 15.3322 |
| Malpractice | 0.16 | × 1.201 | 0.1922 |
| Total RVUs | 17.2944 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, New Mexico$577.65
Office: (1.77 × 1 + 16.72 × 0.917 + 0.16 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $577.65
Payment rules and modifiers for 78831
The CMS indicators that decide how 78831 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78831
Tumor SPECT, two or more areas
| 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
78831 without 26 · national office
$622.93
Tumor SPECT, two or more areas
78831-26 · Professional component
$80.83
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 78831 has changed in New Mexico
78831 · Office / nonfacility
$577.65
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $14.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $563.27 to $577.65 (2.6%).
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
$563.27changed to$577.65
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.82 changed to 1.77
- Practice expense RVU 16.98 changed to 16.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
- Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$597.15changed to$563.27
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 17.52 changed to 16.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.15
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$587.40changed to$597.15
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$612.27changed to$587.40
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 17.78 changed to 17.52
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$627.97changed to$612.27
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 18.00 changed to 17.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$660.50changed to$627.97
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 18.90 changed to 18.00
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$674.73changed to$660.50
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 18.36 changed to 18.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
No ratechanged to$674.73
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
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, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D, RVU19A, RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $577.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $577.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $577.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $577.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $563.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $563.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $563.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $563.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $597.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $597.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $597.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $597.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $587.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $612.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $612.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $612.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $612.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $627.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $627.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $627.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $627.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $660.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $660.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $660.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $660.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $674.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $674.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $674.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $674.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
78831 billing questions
When should this be reported instead of 78803?
Use 78831 when SPECT tumor imaging covers two or more areas. Code 78803 is for SPECT imaging of one area.
How does this differ from 78832?
Both describe tumor-localization SPECT across two or more areas, but 78832 includes CT. This code describes SPECT without that CT component.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting two or more areas?
Document the clinical indication, the areas imaged, the SPECT study performed, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The record should make clear that the examination covered at least two areas.
Is this the right code for planar imaging of multiple areas?
No. This code is for SPECT. Code 78801 describes planar tumor-localization imaging of two or more areas.
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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