76981 assesses parenchymal tissue, commonly the liver; 76982 evaluates a discrete target lesion.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
76981 in Austin
Office / nonfacility
$117.77
Base rate per service
Facility setting
Not available in this setting
Base rate per service
Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.
Diagnostic ultrasound
About 76981: Parenchymal ultrasound elastography
Ultrasound elastography evaluates tissue stiffness across an organ’s parenchyma, commonly the liver, and is reported with imaging documentation and interpretation.
This service uses ultrasound elastography to assess tissue stiffness across an organ’s parenchyma rather than a discrete mass. A common clinical use is evaluating liver stiffness in a patient with chronic liver disease. Radiologists and clinicians in specialties such as hepatology or gastroenterology may perform or interpret the study in office or facility settings. The code includes imaging documentation, interpretation, and a report.
Select this code when the study evaluates parenchymal tissue; focal target-lesion elastography is coded separately. Documentation should identify the organ or tissue examined, support the parenchymal assessment, and include the findings and interpretation. The service has professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. CMS’s diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both components when applicable.
CMS billing rules for 76981
- Professional and technical components
- Diagnostic test with a professional component (modifier 26, interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, equipment and staff); billing without a modifier is the global service.
- Multiple procedures
- Diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the technical and professional components.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU0.58 · 17%
- Practice expense (office) RVU2.75 · 82%
- Malpractice RVU0.04 · 1%
81.1K
Medicare services in 2024 · #625 by national volume
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.
76981 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Austin, from the same CMS release.
76983 reports an additional target lesion in the 76982 lesion-elastography service, not another parenchymal assessment under 76981.
76978 uses contrast-enhanced ultrasound to assess a lesion; 76981 evaluates stiffness across parenchymal tissue.
The same code, a different location
How does Austin compare?
In Beaumont, the office rate for 76981 is $104.20—$13.57 lower than the $117.77 rate in Austin. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
76981 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Austin · This locality
$117.77
$104.20
$13.57 lower than Austin
$111.60
$6.17 lower than Austin
$112.18
$5.59 lower than Austin
$111.28
$6.49 lower than Austin
$111.84
$5.93 lower than Austin
$112.58
$5.19 lower than Austin
Other payment areas listed in Texas appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.
Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 76981 ranges from $98.96 in Arkansas to $154.67 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.
The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.
Compare all 108 other payment areas
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 76981
Office
$107.75
Facility
Unavailable
$10.02 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)
California · 76981
Office
$129.72
Facility
Unavailable
$11.95 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 76981
Office
$130.11
Facility
Unavailable
$12.34 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 76981
Office
$118.37
Facility
Unavailable
$0.60 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 76981
Office
$114.89
Facility
Unavailable
$2.88 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 76981
Office
$129.46
Facility
Unavailable
$11.69 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 76981
Office
$127.62
Facility
Unavailable
$9.85 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 76981
Office
$100.50
Facility
Unavailable
$17.27 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 76981
Office
$98.96
Facility
Unavailable
$18.81 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 76981
Office
$109.52
Facility
Unavailable
$8.25 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Bakersfield
California · 76981
Office
$121.22
Facility
Unavailable
$3.45 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Chico
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
El Centro
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Fresno
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Hanford-Corcoran
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Madera
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Merced
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Napa
California · 76981
Office
$142.33
Facility
Unavailable
$24.56 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 76981
Office
$129.32
Facility
Unavailable
$11.55 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Redding
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 76981
Office
$121.53
Facility
Unavailable
$3.76 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 76981
Office
$127.61
Facility
Unavailable
$9.84 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 76981
Office
$127.15
Facility
Unavailable
$9.38 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 76981
Office
$130.53
Facility
Unavailable
$12.76 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 76981
Office
$151.34
Facility
Unavailable
$33.57 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 76981
Office
$151.29
Facility
Unavailable
$33.52 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 76981
Office
$154.67
Facility
Unavailable
$36.90 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 76981
Office
$154.49
Facility
Unavailable
$36.72 higher than Austin for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 76981
Office
$125.04
Facility
Unavailable
$7.27 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 76981
Office
$132.10
Facility
Unavailable
$14.33 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 76981
Office
$127.73
Facility
Unavailable
$9.96 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 76981
Office
$133.46
Facility
Unavailable
$15.69 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 76981
Office
$142.27
Facility
Unavailable
$24.50 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 76981
Office
$121.09
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 76981
Office
$118.38
Facility
Unavailable
$0.61 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 76981
Office
$120.30
Facility
Unavailable
$2.53 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 76981
Office
$111.42
Facility
Unavailable
$6.35 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 76981
Office
$114.83
Facility
Unavailable
$2.94 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 76981
Office
$109.19
Facility
Unavailable
$8.58 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 76981
Office
$114.36
Facility
Unavailable
$3.41 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 76981
Office
$102.90
Facility
Unavailable
$14.87 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 76981
Office
$124.58
Facility
Unavailable
$6.81 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 76981
Office
$103.95
Facility
Unavailable
$13.82 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 76981
Office
$104.51
Facility
Unavailable
$13.26 lower than Austin for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 76981
Office
$106.57
Facility
Unavailable
$11.20 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 76981
Office
$105.32
Facility
Unavailable
$12.45 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 76981
Office
$116.21
Facility
Unavailable
$1.56 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 76981
Office
$105.17
Facility
Unavailable
$12.60 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 76981
Office
$103.08
Facility
Unavailable
$14.69 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 76981
Office
$102.25
Facility
Unavailable
$15.52 lower than Austin for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 76981
Office
$107.32
Facility
Unavailable
$10.45 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 76981
Office
$101.94
Facility
Unavailable
$15.83 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 76981
Office
$131.03
Facility
Unavailable
$13.26 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 76981
Office
$117.47
Facility
Unavailable
$0.30 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 76981
Office
$119.89
Facility
Unavailable
$2.12 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 76981
Office
$113.75
Facility
Unavailable
$4.02 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 76981
Office
$104.71
Facility
Unavailable
$13.06 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 76981
Office
$111.24
Facility
Unavailable
$6.53 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 76981
Office
$110.26
Facility
Unavailable
$7.51 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 76981
Office
$104.74
Facility
Unavailable
$13.03 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 76981
Office
$114.28
Facility
Unavailable
$3.49 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 76981
Office
$106.93
Facility
Unavailable
$10.84 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 76981
Office
$108.15
Facility
Unavailable
$9.62 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 76981
Office
$99.85
Facility
Unavailable
$17.92 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 76981
Office
$99.44
Facility
Unavailable
$18.33 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 76981
Office
$112.56
Facility
Unavailable
$5.21 lower than Austin for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 76981
Office
$105.92
Facility
Unavailable
$11.85 lower than Austin for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 76981
Office
$111.77
Facility
Unavailable
$6.00 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 76981
Office
$104.66
Facility
Unavailable
$13.11 lower than Austin for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 76981
Office
$116.16
Facility
Unavailable
$1.61 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 76981
Office
$128.57
Facility
Unavailable
$10.80 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 76981
Office
$121.92
Facility
Unavailable
$4.15 higher than Austin for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 76981
Office
$105.21
Facility
Unavailable
$12.56 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 76981
Office
$112.43
Facility
Unavailable
$5.34 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 76981
Office
$132.31
Facility
Unavailable
$14.54 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 76981
Office
$122.44
Facility
Unavailable
$4.67 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 76981
Office
$131.11
Facility
Unavailable
$13.34 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 76981
Office
$107.57
Facility
Unavailable
$10.20 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 76981
Office
$104.58
Facility
Unavailable
$13.19 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 76981
Office
$102.43
Facility
Unavailable
$15.34 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 76981
Office
$122.72
Facility
Unavailable
$4.95 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 76981
Office
$111.80
Facility
Unavailable
$5.97 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 76981
Office
$116.93
Facility
Unavailable
$0.84 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 76981
Office
$104.96
Facility
Unavailable
$12.81 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 76981
Office
$113.55
Facility
Unavailable
$4.22 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 76981
Office
$115.82
Facility
Unavailable
$1.95 lower than Austin for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 76981
Office
$105.38
Facility
Unavailable
$12.39 lower than Austin for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 76981
Office
$111.67
Facility
Unavailable
$6.10 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 76981
Office
$103.58
Facility
Unavailable
$14.19 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 76981
Office
$106.91
Facility
Unavailable
$10.86 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 76981
Office
$110.61
Facility
Unavailable
$7.16 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 76981
Office
$113.55
Facility
Unavailable
$4.22 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 76981
Office
$110.98
Facility
Unavailable
$6.79 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 76981
Office
$117.36
Facility
Unavailable
$0.41 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 76981
Office
$134.14
Facility
Unavailable
$16.37 higher than Austin for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 76981
Office
$107.78
Facility
Unavailable
$9.99 lower than Austin for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 76981
Office
$101.10
Facility
Unavailable
$16.67 lower than Austin for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 76981
Office
$112.21
Facility
Unavailable
$5.56 lower than Austin for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
76981 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
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.
$98.96
$137.88
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $127.62 | 1 |
| AL | $100.50 | 1 |
| AR | $98.96 | 1 |
| AZ | $109.52 | 1 |
| CA | $121.09–$154.67 | 29 |
| CO | $118.38 | 1 |
| CT | $120.30 | 1 |
| DC | $130.11 | 1 |
| DE | $111.42 | 1 |
| FL | $109.19–$118.37 | 3 |
| GA | $102.90–$114.36 | 2 |
| GU | $124.58 | 1 |
| HI | $124.58 | 1 |
| IA | $103.95 | 1 |
| ID | $104.51 | 1 |
| IL | $105.32–$116.21 | 4 |
| IN | $105.17 | 1 |
| KS | $103.08 | 1 |
| KY | $102.25 | 1 |
| LA | $101.94–$107.32 | 2 |
| MA | $117.47–$131.03 | 2 |
| MD | $113.75–$130.11 | 3 |
| ME | $104.71–$111.24 | 2 |
| MI | $104.74–$110.26 | 2 |
| MN | $114.28 | 1 |
| MO | $99.85–$108.15 | 3 |
| MS | $99.44 | 1 |
| MT | $112.56 | 1 |
| NC | $105.92 | 1 |
| ND | $111.77 | 1 |
| NE | $104.66 | 1 |
| NH | $116.16 | 1 |
| NJ | $121.92–$128.57 | 2 |
| NM | $105.21 | 1 |
| NV | $112.43 | 1 |
| NY | $107.57–$132.31 | 5 |
| OH | $104.58 | 1 |
| OK | $102.43 | 1 |
| OR | $111.80–$122.72 | 2 |
| PA | $104.96–$116.93 | 2 |
| PR | $113.55 | 1 |
| RI | $115.82 | 1 |
| SC | $105.38 | 1 |
| SD | $111.67 | 1 |
| TN | $103.58 | 1 |
| TX | $104.20–$117.77 | 8 |
| UT | $106.91 | 1 |
| VA | $110.61–$130.11 | 2 |
| VI | $113.55 | 1 |
| VT | $110.98 | 1 |
| WA | $117.36–$134.14 | 2 |
| WI | $107.78 | 1 |
| WV | $101.10 | 1 |
| WY | $112.21 | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
Austin is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas, including the examples shown here.
Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.
- 76981 in Austin
Multiple payment areas
- 76981 in Barton Creek
- 76981 in Bee Cave
- 76981 in Briarcliff
- 76981 in Cedar Park
Multiple payment areas
- 76981 in Creedmoor
Multiple payment areas
- 76981 in Elgin
Multiple payment areas
- 76981 in Garfield
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 76981 in Austin. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$129.55
$117.77 × 110% = $129.55
A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.
Working with a whole code list?
Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.
How this local rate is calculated
Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 76981 in Austin.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,898
- Code
- 76981
- Physician work
- 0.58
- Practice expense
- 2.75
- Malpractice
- 0.04
GPCI2026.csv
96
- Locality
- Austin
- Physician work
- 1.002
- Practice expense
- 1.058
- Malpractice
- 0.886
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.58 | × 1.002 | 0.5812 |
| Practice expense | 2.75 | × 1.058 | 2.9095 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 0.886 | 0.0354 |
| Total RVUs | 3.5261 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, Austin$117.77
Open 76981 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 0.58 | 1.002 |
| Practice expense | 2.75 | 1.058 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | 0.886 |
(0.58 × 1.002 + 2.75 × 1.058 + 0.04 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $117.77
The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.
How this rate has changed
76981 · Office / nonfacility
$117.77
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $11.61 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $106.16 to $117.77 (10.9%).
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
$106.16changed to$117.77
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.59 changed to 0.58
- Practice expense RVU 2.53 changed to 2.75
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
- Practice expense GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.058
- Malpractice GPCI 0.914 changed to 0.886
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $106.16
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →
Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.
Inspect every release and its CMS source
| Effective from | Office / nonfacility | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $117.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $117.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $117.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $117.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $106.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $106.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $106.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $106.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
76981 billing questions
When should 76981 be selected instead of 76982?
Use 76981 for elastography of parenchymal tissue, such as liver tissue. Use 76982 when the examination targets a discrete lesion.
Can 76983 be added to 76981 for another area?
No. Code 76983 is the additional-lesion code associated with 76982, not an add-on to parenchymal elastography.
How are the professional and technical services reported?
Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does the multiple-procedure reduction affect both components?
Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components when applicable.
What should the report document?
Document the parenchymal tissue examined and the elastography findings, with the interpretation and report supporting that the study assessed tissue rather than a discrete target lesion.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.
Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.
