CPT code 97028: Light therapy, ultraviolet application2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina
Reports ultraviolet light applied as a therapeutic modality to one or more areas during a documented rehabilitation or treatment session.
In South Carolina, Medicare pays $7.89 for 97028 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97028 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 97028 covers
This code covers therapeutic application of ultraviolet light to one or more treatment areas. Physical therapists and other qualified therapy professionals may use it as a modality within a plan of care, including for a documented skin or tissue condition. The record should identify the treated area, the reason for treatment, and the ultraviolet intervention provided.
Report the service for the ultraviolet modality actually delivered, not for infrared, ultrasound, or another physical agent. It is an untimed modality, so report one unit for the treatment session rather than counting 15-minute increments. Documentation should support the clinical purpose and distinguish the modality from other services furnished that day. CMS treats it as a therapy service without a professional-component modifier split. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, practice expense is reduced for the second and later therapy units furnished 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 South Carolina compares for 97028
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97028 runs from $7.43 in Arkansas to $10.85 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $7.89. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Carolina · this page$7.89
- Los Angeles, CA · California$9.33+$1.44
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$9.48+$1.59
- Miami, FL · Florida$9.08+$1.19
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$8.83+$0.94
- Manhattan, NY · New York$9.58+$1.69
- Alaska · Alaska$9.88+$1.99
Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $7.54 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $7.43 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $8.14 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $8.78 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $8.76 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $10.05 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $9.27 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $8.86 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $9.16 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $9.13 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $9.32 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $10.61 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $10.60 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $10.85 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $10.80 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $8.98 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $9.40 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $9.16 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $9.49 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $10.04 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $8.75 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $8.65 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $8.89 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $8.27 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $8.69 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $8.28 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $8.51 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $7.84 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $8.94 | — |
| IowaIowa | $7.69 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $7.75 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $8.26 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $8.07 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $8.77 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $7.79 | — |
| KansasKansas | $7.67 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $7.73 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $8.08 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $7.72 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $9.46 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $8.61 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $8.86 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $8.41 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $7.80 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $8.18 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $8.39 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $7.93 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $8.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $8.02 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $8.09 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $7.60 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $7.52 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $8.35 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $7.87 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $8.15 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $7.73 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $8.53 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $9.40 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $8.98 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $7.97 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $8.30 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $9.82 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $9.05 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $9.64 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $7.98 | — |
| OhioOhio | $7.89 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $7.70 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $8.90 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $8.23 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $8.68 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $7.89 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $8.40 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $8.54 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $8.13 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $7.71 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $8.63 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $7.85 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $8.25 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $8.31 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $8.26 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $8.28 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $8.46 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $8.05 | — |
| UtahUtah | $8.00 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $8.16 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $8.40 | — |
| VermontVermont | $8.13 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $8.59 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $9.64 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $7.89 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $7.79 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $8.26 | — |
97028 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.
$7.43
$9.88
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 | $9.88 | 1 |
| AL | $7.54 | 1 |
| AR | $7.43 | 1 |
| AZ | $8.14 | 1 |
| CA | $8.75–$10.85 | 29 |
| CO | $8.65 | 1 |
| CT | $8.89 | 1 |
| DC | $9.48 | 1 |
| DE | $8.27 | 1 |
| FL | $8.28–$9.08 | 3 |
| GA | $7.84–$8.51 | 2 |
| GU | $8.94 | 1 |
| HI | $8.94 | 1 |
| IA | $7.69 | 1 |
| ID | $7.75 | 1 |
| IL | $8.07–$8.83 | 4 |
| IN | $7.79 | 1 |
| KS | $7.67 | 1 |
| KY | $7.73 | 1 |
| LA | $7.72–$8.08 | 2 |
| MA | $8.61–$9.46 | 2 |
| MD | $8.41–$9.48 | 3 |
| ME | $7.80–$8.18 | 2 |
| MI | $7.93–$8.39 | 2 |
| MN | $8.27 | 1 |
| MO | $7.60–$8.09 | 3 |
| MS | $7.52 | 1 |
| MT | $8.35 | 1 |
| NC | $7.87 | 1 |
| ND | $8.15 | 1 |
| NE | $7.73 | 1 |
| NH | $8.53 | 1 |
| NJ | $8.98–$9.40 | 2 |
| NM | $7.97 | 1 |
| NV | $8.30 | 1 |
| NY | $7.98–$9.82 | 5 |
| OH | $7.89 | 1 |
| OK | $7.70 | 1 |
| OR | $8.23–$8.90 | 2 |
| PA | $7.89–$8.68 | 2 |
| PR | $8.40 | 1 |
| RI | $8.54 | 1 |
| SC | $7.89 | 1 |
| SD | $8.13 | 1 |
| TN | $7.71 | 1 |
| TX | $7.85–$8.63 | 8 |
| UT | $8.00 | 1 |
| VA | $8.16–$9.48 | 2 |
| VI | $8.40 | 1 |
| VT | $8.13 | 1 |
| WA | $8.59–$9.64 | 2 |
| WI | $7.89 | 1 |
| WV | $7.79 | 1 |
| WY | $8.26 | 1 |
How the 97028 rate is calculated
Each of 97028’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 · 97028
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.2500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$8.35
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,851
- Code
- 97028
- Physician work
- 0.08
- Practice expense
- 0.16
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
93
- Locality
- South Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.924
- Malpractice
- 0.850
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.08 | × 1.000 | 0.0800 |
| Practice expense | 0.16 | × 0.924 | 0.1478 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.850 | 0.0085 |
| Total RVUs | 0.2363 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Carolina$7.89
Office: (0.08 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.924 + 0.01 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $7.89
Payment rules and modifiers for 97028
The CMS indicators that decide how 97028 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97028
Light therapy, ultraviolet application
| 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
97028 without CQ · national office
$8.35
Light therapy, ultraviolet application
97028-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$8.35
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 97028 has changed in South Carolina
97028 · Office / nonfacility
$7.89
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $7.58 to $7.89 (4.1%).
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
$7.58changed to$7.89
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
- Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$7.80changed to$7.58
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$7.67changed to$7.80
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$7.89changed to$7.67
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$7.70changed to$7.89
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$7.76changed to$7.70
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$7.70changed to$7.76
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
- Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$7.68changed to$7.70
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$7.68changed to$7.68
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$7.03changed to$7.68
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
- Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$7.04changed to$7.03
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$7.06changed to$7.04
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$7.03changed to$7.06
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$7.00changed to$7.03
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$6.92changed to$7.00
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
- Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $6.92
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $7.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $7.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $7.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $7.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $7.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $7.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $7.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $7.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $7.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $7.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $7.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $7.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $7.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $7.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $7.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $7.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $7.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $7.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $7.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $7.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $7.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $7.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $7.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $7.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $7.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $7.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $7.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $6.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $6.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $6.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $6.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the South Carolina rate applies
South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbeville
- Abney Crossroads
- Adams Run
- Aiken
- Alcolu
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Andrews
97028 billing questions
How is this different from infrared therapy?
97028 represents ultraviolet application. Use 97026 when infrared is the modality actually delivered.
Is 97028 billed in 15-minute units?
No. It is an untimed modality; report one unit for the treatment session, not units based on elapsed time.
Should modifier 26 be appended?
No. CMS identifies this as a therapy service for which the professional-component modifier does not apply.
What documentation supports the service?
Record the clinical purpose, the area treated, and that ultraviolet light was applied. The documentation should distinguish it from any other modality performed during the visit.
How does the therapy multiple procedure reduction affect payment?
When multiple therapy units are furnished on the same day, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later units.
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
Fee sheets
Put 97028 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Build my fee sheet