CPT code 92979: Coronary imaging, each additional vessel2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography imaging of each additional coronary vessel examined during a catheter-based diagnostic or treatment procedure.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 92979 in Texas.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 92979 covers
This add-on code represents intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography imaging of an additional coronary vessel. A cardiologist or interventional cardiologist typically performs or interprets the imaging during a catheter-based evaluation or treatment, such as a coronary intervention. The imaging catheter provides views from inside the vessel to assess its structure and the result of treatment. Report this code for an additional vessel beyond the first vessel represented by the primary imaging code.
Medicare assigns this code carrier-priced status under the physician fee schedule: CMS publishes no national payment, and the Medicare Administrative Contractor sets payment for each claim. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary procedure; Medicare treats its payment within that procedure’s global period. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and no modifier represents the global service. Documentation should support imaging of each additional vessel reported.
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.
Where 92979 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | Unavailable | Unavailable |
How the 92979 rate is calculated
Each of 92979’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 · 92979
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$0.00
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92979
The CMS indicators that decide how 92979 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92979
Coronary imaging, each additional vessel
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| 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
92979 without 26 · national facility
$0.00
Coronary imaging, each additional vessel
92979-26 · Professional component
$73.48
Pays only the interpretation and report.
92979 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 92978Coronary imagingInitial vessel
- 92978 represents imaging of the first vessel. 92979 represents imaging of each additional vessel.
- 92920Coronary angioplastySingle vessel, no stent
- 92920 reports coronary balloon angioplasty; 92979 reports additional-vessel intravascular imaging, not the angioplasty treatment.
- 92928Coronary stentingOne artery or branch
- 92928 reports coronary stent placement. 92979 reports additional-vessel intravascular imaging performed during a catheter-based procedure.
92979 billing questions
How does this code differ from 92978?
92978 represents imaging of the first vessel. Use 92979 for each additional vessel imaged in the same service.
Can 92979 be reported by itself?
No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary procedure, including the first-vessel imaging code when applicable.
What does one unit represent?
One unit represents imaging of one additional vessel beyond the first vessel. The record should identify the additional vessel imaged.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. Reporting without a modifier represents the global service.
How does Medicare price this code?
The physician fee schedule classifies it as carrier priced, with no national payment published by CMS. The Medicare Administrative Contractor sets payment for the claim.
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
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