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

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 Queens, NY, Medicare pays $74.44 for 94729 in the office.

$74.44Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+17.3%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 Queens, NY
  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 Queens, NY 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. Queens, NY pays $74.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

94729 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$74.44
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$73.40−$1.04
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$75.11+$0.67
  4. Rest of New York · New York$60.44−$14.00
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$73.83−$0.61
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$73.93−$0.51

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

Every other payment area

94729 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$66.80—
Chicago, ILIllinois$64.65—
AlaskaAlaska$70.00—
AlabamaAlabama$56.12—
ArkansasArkansas$55.18—
ArizonaArizona$61.62—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$68.74—
Chico, 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 Queens, NY 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

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 94729 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.19× 1.0640.2022
Practice expense1.69× 1.1821.9976
Malpractice0.02× 1.4420.0288
Total RVUs2.2286
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$74.44

Office: (0.19 × 1.064 + 1.69 × 1.182 + 0.02 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $74.44

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 Queens, NY

94729 · Office / nonfacility

$74.44

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.13 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $64.31 to $74.44 (15.8%).

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

    $64.31changed to$74.44

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.47 changed to 1.69
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $66.98changed to$64.31

    • 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

    $65.89changed to$66.98

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $69.01changed to$65.89

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.49
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $73.38changed to$69.01

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.52 changed to 1.48
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $73.99changed to$73.38

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $69.41changed to$73.99

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.52
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $67.12changed to$69.41

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.38
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $66.61changed to$67.12

    • 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

    $66.00changed to$66.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.33 changed to 1.34
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $65.81changed to$66.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $66.05changed to$65.81

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $65.72changed to$66.05

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $64.68changed to$65.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.33
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $74.15changed to$64.68

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.31
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $74.15

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$74.44Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$74.44Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$74.44Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$74.44Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$64.31Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$64.31Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$64.31Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$64.31Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$66.98Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$66.98Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$66.98Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$66.98Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$65.89Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$69.01Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$69.01Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$69.01Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$69.01Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$73.38Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$73.38Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$73.38Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$73.38Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$73.99Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$73.99Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$73.99Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$73.99Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$69.41Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$69.41Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$69.41Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$69.41Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$67.12Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$67.12Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$67.12Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$67.12Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$66.61Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$66.61Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$66.61Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$66.61Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$66.00Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$66.00Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$66.00Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$66.00Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$65.81Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$65.81Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$65.81Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$65.81Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$66.05Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$66.05Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$65.72Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$65.72Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$64.68Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$64.68Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$64.68Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$64.68Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$74.15Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$74.15Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$74.15Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$74.15Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 94729 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

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 Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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