CPT code 79005: Radiopharmaceutical therapy, oral administration2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Report this service for therapeutic administration of a radioactive pharmaceutical by mouth, such as radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid disease.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3K Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $130.08 for 79005 in the office.

$130.08Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.7%vs the national office rate ($132.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 79005 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 79005 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 79005 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 79005 covers

This service covers therapeutic administration of a radioactive pharmaceutical by mouth. A familiar example is oral radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. It is typically performed in a nuclear medicine department by a nuclear medicine physician or other qualified clinician, with staff and facilities prepared to handle the therapeutic dose. The route is the key distinction: the radioactive agent is swallowed rather than administered intravenously or into a body cavity.

Select this code when the documented treatment is delivered orally, not simply because a radioactive agent was ordered or dispensed. The record should support the treatment indication, agent and dose, oral route, date of administration, and responsible provider. CMS identifies separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 represents the professional interpretation, while modifier TC represents equipment and staff; billing without either modifier represents the global service. Use the component that matches the service furnished and billed.

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 Vermont compares for 79005

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 79005 runs from $120.87 in Arkansas to $168.49 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $130.08. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

79005 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$130.08
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$146.56+$16.48
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$148.33+$18.25
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$139.75+$9.67
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$136.92+$6.84
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$149.21+$19.13
  7. Alaska · Alaska$164.89+$34.81

Other areas in Vermont first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

79005 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$122.15—
ArkansasArkansas$120.87—
ArizonaArizona$129.65—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$138.97—
Chico, CACalifornia$138.64—
El Centro, CACalifornia$138.65—
Fresno, CACalifornia$138.64—
Hanford, CACalifornia$138.64—

79005 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.

$120.87

$164.89

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

View every state and territory as a table
79005 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$164.891
AL$122.151
AR$120.871
AZ$129.651
CA$138.64–$168.4929
CO$136.831
CT$139.501
DC$148.331
DE$131.411
FL$130.68–$139.753
GA$125.23–$134.182
GU$140.661
HI$140.661
IA$124.461
ID$125.051
IL$127.83–$136.924
IN$125.581
KS$124.011
KY$124.191
LA$124.04–$128.522
MA$136.33–$148.022
MD$133.45–$148.333
ME$125.49–$130.522
MI$126.52–$131.862
MN$132.201
MO$122.46–$128.893
MS$121.691
MT$132.261
NC$126.461
ND$130.481
NE$124.971
NH$134.781
NJ$141.39–$147.452
NM$127.021
NV$131.841
NY$127.85–$151.935
OH$126.161
OK$124.061
OR$131.09–$140.262
PA$126.32–$136.802
PR$133.001
RI$135.391
SC$126.461
SD$130.271
TN$124.461
TX$125.71–$136.138
UT$127.731
VA$130.19–$148.332
VI$133.001
VT$130.081
WA$136.05–$150.652
WI$127.231
WV$124.331
WY$131.491

See 79005 in every payment locality

How the 79005 rate is calculated

Each of 79005’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 · 79005

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.76

1.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.11

2.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.9600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$132.27

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,561

Code
79005
Physician work
1.76
Practice expense
2.11
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 79005 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.76× 1.0001.7600
Practice expense2.11× 0.9902.0889
Malpractice0.09× 0.5060.0455
Total RVUs3.8944
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$130.08

Office: (1.76 × 1 + 2.11 × 0.99 + 0.09 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $130.08

Open 79005 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 79005

The CMS indicators that decide how 79005 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 79005

Radiopharmaceutical therapy, oral administration

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

79005 without 26 · national office

$132.27

Radiopharmaceutical therapy, oral administration

79005-26 · Professional component

$81.50

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 79005 has changed in Vermont

79005 · Office / nonfacility

$130.08

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.29 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $128.79 to $130.08 (1.0%).

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

    $128.79changed to$130.08

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.80 changed to 1.76
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $131.54changed to$128.79

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $129.40changed to$131.54

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $134.62changed to$129.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.13 changed to 2.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $137.01changed to$134.62

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.10 changed to 2.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $137.74changed to$137.01

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $140.55changed to$137.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.02 changed to 2.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $140.54changed to$140.55

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 2.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $140.02changed to$140.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.00 changed to 2.01

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $139.39changed to$140.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $138.43changed to$139.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.00
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $138.07changed to$138.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 1.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $137.39changed to$138.07

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $136.89changed to$137.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 1.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$136.89

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$130.08Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$130.08Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$130.08Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$130.08Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$128.79Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$128.79Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$128.79Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$128.79Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$131.54Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$131.54Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$131.54Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$131.54Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$129.40Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$134.62Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$134.62Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$134.62Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$134.62Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$137.01Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$137.01Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$137.01Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$137.01Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$137.74Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$137.74Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$137.74Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$137.74Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$140.55Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$140.55Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$140.55Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$140.55Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$140.54Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$140.54Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$140.54Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$140.54Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$140.02Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$140.02Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$140.02Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$140.02Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$139.39Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$139.39Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$139.39Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$139.39Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$138.43Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$138.43Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$138.43Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$138.43Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$138.07Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$138.07Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$137.39Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$137.39Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$136.89Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$136.89Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$136.89Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$136.89Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 79005 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

79005 billing questions

How is this code distinguished from 79101?

The route of administration separates them. Use this code for a therapeutic radioactive pharmaceutical given orally; 79101 is for intravenous administration.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional component, and modifier TC identifies the technical component. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

Document the treatment indication, radioactive agent and dose, oral route, date administered, and responsible provider.

Does this code describe diagnostic imaging?

It describes therapeutic oral administration, such as radioactive iodine treatment, rather than an imaging examination. Any separately reported service needs its own supporting documentation and applicable code.

Can this code be used when the radioactive agent is injected?

No. This code identifies oral administration; select the route-specific therapy code when the agent is delivered by another route.

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 79005PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,561 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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