CPT code 95079: Ingestion challenge, each additional 60 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Santa Cruz, CA
Reports each additional 60 minutes of supervised oral ingestion challenge testing after the initial challenge period, such as evaluation of suspected food or drug reactions.
In Santa Cruz, CA, Medicare pays $93.00 for 95079 in the office and $59.73 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 95079 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 95079 covers
This code accounts for additional time spent administering a supervised oral challenge in sequential, incremental doses and observing for a reaction. Allergy specialists commonly use ingestion challenges to assess suspected food allergy or drug allergy, or to determine whether a patient can tolerate a food or medication. The service may take place in an office or facility equipped to monitor the patient during the challenge.
Report 95079 for each additional 60 minutes after the initial ingestion challenge service, and only with the primary challenge code 95076. Documentation should support the challenge items and dose sequence, monitoring and response, and the additional testing time. CMS classifies 95079 as an add-on code: it must be billed with the primary procedure, and its payment is made within that procedure's global period.
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 Santa Cruz, CA compares for 95079
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 95079 runs from $78.80 in Arkansas to $109.54 in Alaska. Santa Cruz, CA pays $93.00. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Santa Cruz, CA · this page$93.00
- Bakersfield, CA · California$88.62−$4.38
- Chico, CA · California$88.41−$4.59
- El Centro, CA · California$88.41−$4.59
- Fresno, CA · California$88.41−$4.59
- Hanford, CA · California$88.41−$4.59
- Los Angeles, CA · California$92.95−$0.05
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $98.71 | $62.61 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $92.25 | $59.87 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $88.98 | $58.96 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $91.77 | $59.91 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $91.39 | $59.64 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $92.72 | $59.97 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $103.51 | $64.90 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $103.46 | $64.84 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $105.52 | $66.03 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $105.29 | $65.79 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $90.00 | $58.80 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $91.51 | $59.57 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $93.90 | $60.27 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $98.63 | $62.53 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $88.41 | $58.39 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $94.12 | $61.85 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $88.91 | $60.40 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $87.51 | $59.98 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $94.77 | $62.95 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $109.54 | $80.38 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $79.48 | $55.51 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $78.80 | $55.27 |
| ArizonaArizona | $83.45 | $56.91 |
| ColoradoColorado | $87.40 | $58.26 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $88.97 | $59.47 |
| DelawareDelaware | $84.46 | $57.40 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $86.67 | $58.92 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $84.05 | $57.86 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $85.91 | $58.08 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $81.15 | $56.72 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $89.21 | $58.07 |
| IowaIowa | $80.68 | $55.62 |
| IdahoIdaho | $80.99 | $55.79 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $83.57 | $58.37 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $82.55 | $57.55 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $87.45 | $59.32 |
| IndianaIndiana | $81.27 | $55.88 |
| KansasKansas | $80.45 | $55.69 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $80.58 | $56.23 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $82.88 | $57.11 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $80.50 | $56.27 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $93.74 | $61.03 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $87.20 | $58.36 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $88.68 | $59.29 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $85.61 | $57.89 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $81.24 | $56.04 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $83.89 | $56.75 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $84.69 | $58.26 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $81.83 | $56.82 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $84.74 | $56.55 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $82.54 | $56.82 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $83.06 | $56.99 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $79.68 | $56.07 |
| MississippiMississippi | $79.25 | $55.67 |
| MontanaMontana | $84.83 | $57.45 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $81.75 | $56.20 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $83.85 | $56.46 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $80.94 | $55.66 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $86.15 | $57.64 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $93.79 | $62.02 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $90.25 | $60.35 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $82.10 | $56.98 |
| NevadaNevada | $84.60 | $57.18 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $96.23 | $63.66 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $90.79 | $60.79 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $95.27 | $62.90 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $82.49 | $56.47 |
| OhioOhio | $81.63 | $56.62 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $80.50 | $56.04 |
| Portland, OROregon | $89.26 | $58.83 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $84.19 | $56.91 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $87.51 | $59.00 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $81.71 | $56.56 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $85.22 | $57.53 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $86.76 | $58.46 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $81.77 | $56.46 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $83.73 | $56.34 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $80.69 | $55.79 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $86.89 | $57.91 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $81.38 | $56.46 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $84.51 | $57.36 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $84.87 | $57.59 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $84.52 | $57.51 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $84.66 | $57.46 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $85.58 | $58.38 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $82.79 | $56.79 |
| UtahUtah | $82.44 | $56.70 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $83.72 | $56.79 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $85.22 | $57.53 |
| VermontVermont | $83.64 | $56.53 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $87.00 | $58.16 |
| King County, WAWashington | $95.25 | $61.65 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $82.13 | $55.89 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $80.70 | $56.90 |
| WyomingWyoming | $84.40 | $57.02 |
95079 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.
$78.80
$109.54
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 | $109.54 | 1 |
| AL | $79.48 | 1 |
| AR | $78.80 | 1 |
| AZ | $83.45 | 1 |
| CA | $88.41–$105.52 | 29 |
| CO | $87.40 | 1 |
| CT | $88.97 | 1 |
| DC | $94.12 | 1 |
| DE | $84.46 | 1 |
| FL | $84.05–$88.91 | 3 |
| GA | $81.15–$85.91 | 2 |
| GU | $89.21 | 1 |
| HI | $89.21 | 1 |
| IA | $80.68 | 1 |
| ID | $80.99 | 1 |
| IL | $82.55–$87.51 | 4 |
| IN | $81.27 | 1 |
| KS | $80.45 | 1 |
| KY | $80.58 | 1 |
| LA | $80.50–$82.88 | 2 |
| MA | $87.20–$93.74 | 2 |
| MD | $85.61–$94.12 | 3 |
| ME | $81.24–$83.89 | 2 |
| MI | $81.83–$84.69 | 2 |
| MN | $84.74 | 1 |
| MO | $79.68–$83.06 | 3 |
| MS | $79.25 | 1 |
| MT | $84.83 | 1 |
| NC | $81.75 | 1 |
| ND | $83.85 | 1 |
| NE | $80.94 | 1 |
| NH | $86.15 | 1 |
| NJ | $90.25–$93.79 | 2 |
| NM | $82.10 | 1 |
| NV | $84.60 | 1 |
| NY | $82.49–$96.23 | 5 |
| OH | $81.63 | 1 |
| OK | $80.50 | 1 |
| OR | $84.19–$89.26 | 2 |
| PA | $81.71–$87.51 | 2 |
| PR | $85.22 | 1 |
| RI | $86.76 | 1 |
| SC | $81.77 | 1 |
| SD | $83.73 | 1 |
| TN | $80.69 | 1 |
| TX | $81.38–$86.89 | 8 |
| UT | $82.44 | 1 |
| VA | $83.72–$94.12 | 2 |
| VI | $85.22 | 1 |
| VT | $83.64 | 1 |
| WA | $87.00–$95.25 | 2 |
| WI | $82.13 | 1 |
| WV | $80.70 | 1 |
| WY | $84.40 | 1 |
How the 95079 rate is calculated
Each of 95079’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 · 95079
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.38
1.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.11
1.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.5400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$84.84
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Santa Cruz, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,471
- Code
- 95079
- Physician work
- 1.38
- Practice expense
- 1.11
- Malpractice
- 0.05
GPCI2026.csv
29
- Locality
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Physician work
- 1.021
- Practice expense
- 1.215
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.38 | × 1.021 | 1.4090 |
| Practice expense | 1.11 | × 1.215 | 1.3487 |
| Malpractice | 0.05 | × 0.536 | 0.0268 |
| Total RVUs | 2.7844 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Santa Cruz, CA$93.00
Office: (1.38 × 1.021 + 1.11 × 1.215 + 0.05 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $93.00
Facility: (1.38 × 1.021 + 0.29 × 1.215 + 0.05 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $59.73
Payment rules and modifiers for 95079
The CMS indicators that decide how 95079 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 95079
Ingestion challenge, each additional 60 minutes
| 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 | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
How 95079 has changed in Santa Cruz, CA
95079 · Office / nonfacility
$93.00
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $91.28 to $93.00 (1.9%).
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
$91.28changed to$93.00
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.11
- Work GPCI 1.017 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.209 changed to 1.215
- Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$92.91changed to$91.28
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.15
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$91.39changed to$92.91
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$93.16changed to$91.39
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 1.12
- Work GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.209
- Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$94.31changed to$93.16
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.07
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.031
- Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.207
- Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$92.84changed to$94.31
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.01 changed to 1.04
- Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.045
- Practice expense GPCI 1.181 changed to 1.205
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$93.35changed to$92.84
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 1.01
- Work GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.042
- Practice expense GPCI 1.160 changed to 1.181
- Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$93.66changed to$93.35
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.97
- Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.038
- Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.160
- Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$90.70changed to$93.66
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.99
- Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.030
- Practice expense GPCI 1.132 changed to 1.161
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$87.83changed to$90.70
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.95
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.026
- Practice expense GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.132
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$87.83
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $93.00 | $59.73 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $93.00 | $59.73 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $93.00 | $59.73 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $93.00 | $59.73 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $91.28 | $69.38 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $91.28 | $69.38 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $91.28 | $69.38 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $91.28 | $69.38 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $92.91 | $70.78 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $92.91 | $70.78 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $92.91 | $70.78 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $92.91 | $70.78 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $91.39 | $69.62 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $93.16 | $72.30 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $93.16 | $72.30 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $93.16 | $72.30 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $93.16 | $72.30 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $94.31 | $73.87 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $94.31 | $73.87 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $94.31 | $73.87 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $94.31 | $73.87 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $92.84 | $73.47 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $92.84 | $73.47 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $92.84 | $73.47 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $92.84 | $73.47 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $93.35 | $74.93 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $93.35 | $74.93 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $93.35 | $74.93 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $93.35 | $74.93 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $93.66 | $74.83 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $93.66 | $74.83 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $93.66 | $74.83 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $93.66 | $74.83 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $90.70 | $72.36 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $90.70 | $72.36 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $90.70 | $72.36 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $90.70 | $72.36 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $87.83 | $70.41 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $87.83 | $70.41 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $87.83 | $70.41 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $87.83 | $70.41 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Santa Cruz, CA rate applies
Santa Cruz, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Santa Cruz
- Watsonville
- Amesti
- Aptos
- Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
- Ben Lomond
- Bonny Doon
- Boulder Creek
95079 billing questions
Can 95079 be billed without 95076?
No. Report 95079 only with the primary ingestion challenge code 95076.
How many units of 95079 should be reported?
Report a unit for each additional 60 minutes of ingestion challenge testing beyond the initial service. Document the additional testing time.
What documentation supports additional challenge time?
Document the items and incremental doses administered, patient monitoring and response, and the time spent in the additional challenge period.
Is 95079 used for an inhaled challenge?
No. It is for additional time in an oral ingestion challenge. Inhalation bronchial challenge testing is represented by a different service, such as 95070.
Does 95079 have a separate global period?
No separate period is described for this add-on. CMS specifies that it is paid within the primary procedure's global period.
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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