CPT code 94729: Diffusing capacity (DLCO), add-on to pulmonary function testing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Add-on code for measuring the lungs’ carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, reported with an eligible primary pulmonary function test during the same session.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality976.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $62.75 for 94729 in the office.

$62.75Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($63.46)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 94729 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 94729 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 94729 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 94729 covers

Diffusing capacity testing evaluates gas transfer from the alveoli into pulmonary capillary blood. In the common single-breath method, the patient inhales a small amount of carbon monoxide with a tracer gas, holds the breath briefly, then exhales into an analyzer. Pulmonologists order it to assess interstitial lung disease, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, amiodarone toxicity, or fitness for lung resection. Respiratory therapists and PFT technologists perform it in pulmonary offices or hospital labs; a physician interprets the result, sometimes adjusted for hemoglobin.

Report 94729 once per testing session with an eligible primary PFT code, such as spirometry (94010 or 94060), lung volumes (94726 or 94727), oscillometry (94728), bronchospasm provocation (94070), or flow-volume testing (94375). Repeat maneuvers for test quality remain within that unit. Document the measured capacity, test quality, any hemoglobin adjustment, and an interpretation when billing the professional service. CMS pays this add-on within the primary procedure’s global period. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation; modifier TC identifies equipment and staff work. Bill without a component modifier when the same entity provides 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 Delaware compares for 94729

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 94729 runs from $55.18 in Arkansas to $88.80 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $62.75. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

94729 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$62.75
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$73.83+$11.08
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$73.93+$11.18
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$66.80+$4.05
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$64.65+$1.90
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$73.40+$10.65
  7. Alaska · Alaska$70.00+$7.25

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

Every other payment area

94729 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$56.12—
ArkansasArkansas$55.18—
ArizonaArizona$61.62—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$68.74—
Chico, CACalifornia$68.68—
El Centro, CACalifornia$68.68—
Fresno, CACalifornia$68.68—
Hanford, CACalifornia$68.68—

94729 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.

$55.18

$78.74

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

View every state and territory as a table
94729 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$70.001
AL$56.121
AR$55.181
AZ$61.621
CA$68.68–$88.8029
CO$67.001
CT$68.081
DC$73.931
DE$62.751
FL$61.31–$66.803
GA$57.49–$64.522
GU$70.911
HI$70.911
IA$58.261
ID$58.591
IL$58.93–$65.554
IN$59.001
KS$57.711
KY$57.141
LA$56.94–$60.222
MA$66.42–$74.602
MD$64.15–$73.933
ME$58.69–$62.712
MI$58.64–$61.942
MN$64.631
MO$55.65–$60.753
MS$55.441
MT$63.461
NC$59.441
ND$63.061
NE$58.701
NH$65.691
NJ$68.97–$72.942
NM$58.911
NV$63.411
NY$60.44–$75.115
OH$58.561
OK$57.271
OR$63.04–$69.662
PA$58.80–$66.022
PR$64.071
RI$65.371
SC$59.071
SD$63.021
TN$58.021
TX$58.33–$66.678
UT$60.011
VA$62.31–$73.932
VI$64.071
VT$62.571
WA$66.38–$76.472
WI$60.631
WV$56.361
WY$63.291

See 94729 in every payment locality

How the 94729 rate is calculated

Each of 94729’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 · 94729

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.19

0.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.69

1.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.9000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$63.46

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,439

Code
94729
Physician work
0.19
Practice expense
1.69
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 94729 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.19× 1.0050.1909
Practice expense1.69× 0.9881.6697
Malpractice0.02× 0.8990.0180
Total RVUs1.8786
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$62.75

Office: (0.19 × 1.005 + 1.69 × 0.988 + 0.02 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $62.75

Open 94729 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 94729

The CMS indicators that decide how 94729 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 94729

Diffusing capacity (DLCO), add-on to pulmonary function testing

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
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

94729 without 26 · national office

$63.46

Diffusing capacity (DLCO), add-on to pulmonary function testing

94729-26 · Professional component

$9.35

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 94729 has changed in Delaware

94729 · Office / nonfacility

$62.75

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.77 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $53.98 to $62.75 (16.2%).

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

    $53.98changed to$62.75

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.47 changed to 1.69
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $56.21changed to$53.98

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.49 changed to 1.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $55.30changed to$56.21

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $57.62changed to$55.30

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.49
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $61.01changed to$57.62

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.52 changed to 1.48
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $61.51changed to$61.01

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $58.49changed to$61.51

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.52
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $57.28changed to$58.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.38
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $56.85changed to$57.28

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $56.60changed to$56.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.33 changed to 1.34
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $56.76changed to$56.60

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $56.96changed to$56.76

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $56.68changed to$56.96

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $56.23changed to$56.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $64.90changed to$56.23

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $64.90

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$62.75Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$62.75Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$62.75Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$62.75Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$53.98Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$53.98Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$53.98Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$53.98Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$56.21Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$56.21Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$56.21Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$56.21Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$55.30Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$57.62Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$57.62Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$57.62Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$57.62Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$61.01Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$61.01Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$61.01Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$61.01Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$61.51Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$61.51Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$61.51Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$61.51Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$58.49Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$58.49Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$58.49Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$58.49Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$57.28Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$57.28Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$57.28Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$57.28Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$56.85Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$56.85Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$56.85Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$56.85Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$56.60Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$56.60Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$56.60Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$56.60Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$56.76Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$56.76Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$56.76Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$56.76Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$56.96Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$56.96Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$56.68Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$56.68Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$56.23Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$56.23Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$56.23Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$56.23Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$64.90Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$64.90Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$64.90Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$64.90Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 94729 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

94729 billing questions

Can 94729 be billed when DLCO is the only test performed?

No. It is an add-on and must be reported with an eligible primary pulmonary function code, such as 94010, 94060, 94726, 94727, 94728, 94070, or 94375.

How many units of 94729 are reported per session?

Report one unit per testing session. Multiple DLCO maneuvers performed to obtain reproducible results are part of that service.

Which modifier does the pulmonologist use when reading DLCO in a hospital PFT lab?

Report 94729 with modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation. The hospital reports the technical portion with modifier TC.

Is a hemoglobin correction billed separately?

The calculation adjustment for hemoglobin is part of interpreting DLCO. A separately performed hemoglobin laboratory test is a distinct service when supported and reportable.

Can 94729 be reported with both 94726 and 94727?

94729 may accompany either lung-volume method. Do not report both lung-volume codes for the same set of measurements; select the method performed.

What documentation supports 94729?

The PFT report should show measured DLCO, predicted and percent-predicted results, test quality or reproducibility, and any hemoglobin adjustment. A professional or global claim also requires the physician’s interpretation.

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 94729PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,439 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 94729 pays in Delaware?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 94729 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist