CPT code 97024: Diathermy, microwave or other diathermy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports diathermy used to deliver therapeutic deep heat, such as microwave energy, during rehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain or stiffness.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $8.39 for 97024 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97024 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 97024 covers
Diathermy applies high-frequency electromagnetic energy to generate heat in targeted tissues. Physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals may use microwave or another diathermy method as part of care for musculoskeletal pain, muscle spasm, or joint stiffness. Treatment is typically provided in an outpatient rehabilitation setting, with the applicator positioned for the area being treated.
Report 97024 when diathermy is the modality delivered, rather than infrared heat, ultrasound, or a surface hot pack. This is an untimed modality: report one unit for the service, not units accumulated in 15-minute increments. Documentation should identify the treated area, the diathermy modality, and the clinical purpose of treatment. The professional component modifier does not apply. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, practice expense is reduced for the second and later therapy units on the same day.
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 Washington, DC area compares for 97024
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97024 runs from $6.48 in Arkansas to $9.63 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $8.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$8.39
- Los Angeles, CA · California$8.23−$0.16
- Miami, FL · Florida$8.06−$0.33
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$7.82−$0.57
- Manhattan, NY · New York$8.48+$0.09
- Alaska · Alaska$8.53+$0.14
- Alabama · Alabama$6.58−$1.81
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $6.48 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $7.14 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $7.74 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $8.90 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $8.19 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $7.82 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $8.08 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $8.05 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $8.24 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $9.41 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $9.40 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $9.63 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $9.58 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $7.92 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $8.31 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $8.08 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $8.40 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $8.89 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $7.71 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $7.62 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $7.84 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $7.26 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $7.68 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $7.30 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $7.50 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $6.87 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $7.89 | — |
| IowaIowa | $6.72 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $6.77 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $7.29 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $7.10 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $7.76 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $6.81 | — |
| KansasKansas | $6.70 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $6.76 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $7.10 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $6.76 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $8.37 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $7.58 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $7.83 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $7.40 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $6.82 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $7.18 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $7.40 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $6.96 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $7.26 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $7.03 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $7.11 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $6.65 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $6.56 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $7.35 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $6.89 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $7.15 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $6.75 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $7.51 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $8.30 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $7.92 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $7.00 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $7.30 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $8.71 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $7.98 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $8.54 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $7.00 | — |
| OhioOhio | $6.91 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $6.74 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $7.85 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $7.23 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $7.65 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $6.92 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $7.40 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $7.52 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $6.92 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $7.13 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $6.74 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $7.60 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $6.87 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $7.25 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $7.30 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $7.25 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $7.27 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $7.45 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $7.06 | — |
| UtahUtah | $7.01 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $7.16 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $7.40 | — |
| VermontVermont | $7.13 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $7.56 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $8.52 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $6.91 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $6.84 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $7.26 | — |
97024 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.
$6.48
$8.67
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 | $8.53 | 1 |
| AL | $6.58 | 1 |
| AR | $6.48 | 1 |
| AZ | $7.14 | 1 |
| CA | $7.71–$9.63 | 29 |
| CO | $7.62 | 1 |
| CT | $7.84 | 1 |
| DC | $8.39 | 1 |
| DE | $7.26 | 1 |
| FL | $7.30–$8.06 | 3 |
| GA | $6.87–$7.50 | 2 |
| GU | $7.89 | 1 |
| HI | $7.89 | 1 |
| IA | $6.72 | 1 |
| ID | $6.77 | 1 |
| IL | $7.10–$7.82 | 4 |
| IN | $6.81 | 1 |
| KS | $6.70 | 1 |
| KY | $6.76 | 1 |
| LA | $6.76–$7.10 | 2 |
| MA | $7.58–$8.37 | 2 |
| MD | $7.40–$8.39 | 3 |
| ME | $6.82–$7.18 | 2 |
| MI | $6.96–$7.40 | 2 |
| MN | $7.26 | 1 |
| MO | $6.65–$7.11 | 3 |
| MS | $6.56 | 1 |
| MT | $7.35 | 1 |
| NC | $6.89 | 1 |
| ND | $7.15 | 1 |
| NE | $6.75 | 1 |
| NH | $7.51 | 1 |
| NJ | $7.92–$8.30 | 2 |
| NM | $7.00 | 1 |
| NV | $7.30 | 1 |
| NY | $7.00–$8.71 | 5 |
| OH | $6.91 | 1 |
| OK | $6.74 | 1 |
| OR | $7.23–$7.85 | 2 |
| PA | $6.92–$7.65 | 2 |
| PR | $7.40 | 1 |
| RI | $7.52 | 1 |
| SC | $6.92 | 1 |
| SD | $7.13 | 1 |
| TN | $6.74 | 1 |
| TX | $6.87–$7.60 | 8 |
| UT | $7.01 | 1 |
| VA | $7.16–$8.39 | 2 |
| VI | $7.40 | 1 |
| VT | $7.13 | 1 |
| WA | $7.56–$8.52 | 2 |
| WI | $6.91 | 1 |
| WV | $6.84 | 1 |
| WY | $7.26 | 1 |
How the 97024 rate is calculated
Each of 97024’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 · 97024
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.2200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$7.35
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,849
- Code
- 97024
- Physician work
- 0.06
- Practice expense
- 0.15
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.06 | × 1.054 | 0.0632 |
| Practice expense | 0.15 | × 1.178 | 0.1767 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 1.113 | 0.0111 |
| Total RVUs | 0.2511 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Washington, DC area$8.39
Office: (0.06 × 1.054 + 0.15 × 1.178 + 0.01 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $8.39
Payment rules and modifiers for 97024
The CMS indicators that decide how 97024 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97024
Diathermy, microwave or other diathermy
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 5 | Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced. |
| 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 | 7 | Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier CQ · payment effect
With and without the modifier
97024 without CQ · national office
$7.35
Diathermy, microwave or other diathermy
97024-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$7.35
Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.
How 97024 has changed in Washington, DC area
97024 · Office / nonfacility
$8.39
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.18 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $8.21 to $8.39 (2.2%).
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
$8.21changed to$8.39
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
- Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$8.45changed to$8.21
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$8.31changed to$8.45
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$8.74changed to$8.31
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
- Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
- Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$8.62changed to$8.74
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
- Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
- Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
- Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$8.70changed to$8.62
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$8.46changed to$8.70
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
- Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$8.36changed to$8.46
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
- Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$8.35changed to$8.36
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$7.90changed to$8.35
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
- Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
- Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$7.46changed to$7.90
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
- Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$7.49changed to$7.46
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$7.45changed to$7.49
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$7.42changed to$7.45
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
- Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
- Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$7.42changed to$7.42
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
- Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
- Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $7.42
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $8.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $8.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $8.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $8.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $8.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $8.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $8.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $8.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $8.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $8.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $8.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $8.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $8.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $8.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $8.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $8.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $8.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $8.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $8.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $8.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $8.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $8.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $8.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $8.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $8.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $8.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $8.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $8.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $8.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $8.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $8.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $8.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $8.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $8.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $8.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $8.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $8.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $7.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $7.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $7.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $7.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $7.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $7.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $7.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $7.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $7.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $7.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $7.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $7.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $7.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Washington, DC area rate applies
Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Washington
97024 billing questions
How does 97024 differ from infrared therapy?
97024 is for diathermy, such as microwave energy used to produce therapeutic heat. Use 97026 when the modality delivered is infrared.
Is 97024 billed in 15-minute units?
No. It is an untimed modality, so report one unit for the service rather than counting 15-minute increments.
Can a professional component modifier be appended?
No. The CMS therapy-service rule specifies that the professional component modifier does not apply.
What documentation supports 97024?
Document the body area treated, that diathermy was delivered, and its clinical purpose, such as addressing musculoskeletal pain or stiffness.
How does the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction affect 97024?
When it is among the second or later therapy units on the same day, practice expense is reduced under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction.
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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