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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

78020 in Chico

Office / nonfacility

$84.45

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.

Nuclear medicine

About 78020: Whole-body thyroid cancer uptake measurement

Reports quantitative whole-body radioactive iodine uptake measurement for thyroid carcinoma, as an add-on to the related whole-body metastasis imaging service.

This add-on captures a quantitative whole-body uptake measurement after radioactive iodine administration in a patient being evaluated for thyroid carcinoma metastases. It commonly accompanies nuclear medicine imaging in follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer, including assessment for iodine-avid residual or metastatic disease. Nuclear medicine technologists perform the acquisition and measurement, with a nuclear medicine physician interpreting the findings.

Report 78020 only with the primary whole-body thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging service, 78018. The record should support the clinical indication, radioactive tracer administration, measured uptake, and physician interpretation. CMS treats this as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period. The global service may be billed without a component modifier; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff.

CMS billing rules for 78020

Global period
Add-on code: billed only together with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period.
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.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.59 · 25%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU1.74 · 73%
  • Malpractice RVU0.04 · 2%

648

Medicare services in 2024 · #3333 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.

78020 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Chico, from the same CMS release.

78018

Thyroid metastasis scan

Whole body with additional imaging

$298.11

78018 is the primary whole-body thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging service. Add 78020 when quantitative whole-body uptake measurement is also performed.

78015

Thyroid metastasis imaging

Limited anatomic area

$220.46

78015 addresses thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging of a limited area. 78020 is for quantitative whole-body uptake measurement and requires its primary procedure.

78012

Thyroid uptake

Uptake measurement only

$86.61

78012 measures thyroid uptake for a different thyroid evaluation; 78020 quantifies whole-body uptake in the thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging context.

The same code, a different location

How does Chico compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 78020 is $84.59—$0.14 higher than the $84.45 rate in Chico. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

78020 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Chico · This locality

    $84.45

  2. Bakersfield

    $84.59

    $0.14 higher than Chico

  3. El Centro

    $84.46

    $0.01 higher than Chico

  4. Fresno

    $84.45

    The same base rate than Chico

  5. Hanford-Corcoran

    $84.45

    The same base rate than Chico

  6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $90.15

    $5.70 higher than Chico

  7. Madera

    $84.45

    The same base rate than Chico

Other payment areas listed in California 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, 78020 ranges from $70.32 in Arkansas to $106.40 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

  • Merced

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 78020

    Office

    $98.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.78 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 78020

    Office

    $89.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.34 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.45 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 78020

    Office

    $88.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.27 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 78020

    Office

    $88.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.94 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 78020

    Office

    $90.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.08 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 78020

    Office

    $104.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.69 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 78020

    Office

    $104.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.64 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 78020

    Office

    $106.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.95 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 78020

    Office

    $106.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.76 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 78020

    Office

    $86.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.50 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 78020

    Office

    $91.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.00 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 78020

    Office

    $88.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.29 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 78020

    Office

    $92.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.93 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 78020

    Office

    $98.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.71 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 78020

    Office

    $84.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 78020

    Office

    $90.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.27 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 78020

    Office

    $83.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.86 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 78020

    Office

    $81.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.13 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 78020

    Office

    $90.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.17 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 78020

    Office

    $92.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.74 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 78020

    Office

    $71.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.13 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 78020

    Office

    $70.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.13 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 78020

    Office

    $77.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.28 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 78020

    Office

    $82.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.63 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 78020

    Office

    $84.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.14 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 78020

    Office

    $78.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.02 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 78020

    Office

    $81.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.45 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 78020

    Office

    $77.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.18 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 78020

    Office

    $80.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.03 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 78020

    Office

    $73.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.31 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 78020

    Office

    $86.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.11 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 78020

    Office

    $73.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 78020

    Office

    $73.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.64 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 78020

    Office

    $75.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.58 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 78020

    Office

    $74.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.59 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 78020

    Office

    $81.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.55 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 78020

    Office

    $74.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 78020

    Office

    $72.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 78020

    Office

    $72.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.85 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 78020

    Office

    $75.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 78020

    Office

    $72.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.03 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 78020

    Office

    $91.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.65 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 78020

    Office

    $82.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.17 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 78020

    Office

    $84.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.42 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 78020

    Office

    $79.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 78020

    Office

    $74.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.44 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 78020

    Office

    $78.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.31 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 78020

    Office

    $78.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.41 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 78020

    Office

    $74.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.17 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 78020

    Office

    $79.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.55 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 78020

    Office

    $75.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.87 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 78020

    Office

    $76.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.08 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 78020

    Office

    $71.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.34 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 78020

    Office

    $70.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.72 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 78020

    Office

    $79.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.29 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 78020

    Office

    $74.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 78020

    Office

    $78.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.08 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 78020

    Office

    $73.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.60 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 78020

    Office

    $81.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.07 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 78020

    Office

    $89.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.34 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 78020

    Office

    $85.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.97 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 78020

    Office

    $74.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.85 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 78020

    Office

    $79.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.45 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 78020

    Office

    $92.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.10 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 78020

    Office

    $85.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.40 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 78020

    Office

    $91.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.14 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 78020

    Office

    $75.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.59 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 78020

    Office

    $74.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.34 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 78020

    Office

    $72.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 78020

    Office

    $85.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.13 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 78020

    Office

    $78.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.92 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 78020

    Office

    $82.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.29 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 78020

    Office

    $74.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.13 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 78020

    Office

    $79.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 78020

    Office

    $81.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.14 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 78020

    Office

    $74.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.91 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 78020

    Office

    $78.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.18 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 78020

    Office

    $73.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.20 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $82.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.03 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $73.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.62 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $78.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.95 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $78.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $78.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.10 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $78.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $79.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 78020

    Office

    $76.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.38 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 78020

    Office

    $75.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.91 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 78020

    Office

    $77.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 78020

    Office

    $79.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 78020

    Office

    $77.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 78020

    Office

    $82.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.27 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 78020

    Office

    $93.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.64 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 78020

    Office

    $75.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.66 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 78020

    Office

    $72.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.33 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 78020

    Office

    $78.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.64 lower than Chico for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

78020 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$70.32

$95.43

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$92.191
AL$71.321
AR$70.321
AZ$77.171
CA$84.45–$106.4029
CO$82.821
CT$84.311
DC$90.721
DE$78.431
FL$77.27–$83.593
GA$73.14–$80.422
GU$86.561
HI$86.561
IA$73.411
ID$73.811
IL$74.86–$81.904
IN$74.231
KS$72.921
KY$72.601
LA$72.42–$75.912
MA$82.28–$91.102
MD$79.95–$90.723
ME$74.01–$78.142
MI$74.28–$78.042
MN$79.901
MO$71.11–$76.373
MS$70.731
MT$79.161
NC$74.781
ND$78.371
NE$73.851
NH$81.381
NJ$85.42–$89.792
NM$74.601
NV$79.001
NY$75.86–$92.555
OH$74.111
OK$72.641
OR$78.53–$85.582
PA$74.32–$82.162
PR$79.781
RI$81.311
SC$74.541
SD$78.271
TN$73.251
TX$73.83–$82.428
UT$75.541
VA$77.78–$90.722
VI$79.781
VT$77.921
WA$82.18–$93.092
WI$75.791
WV$72.121
WY$78.811

Explore 78020 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Chico is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California, 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.

Browse all communities in California →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 78020 in Chico. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$92.90

$84.45 × 110% = $92.90

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.

Compare your contract offer →

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 78020 in Chico.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,197

Code
78020
Physician work
0.59
Practice expense
1.74
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 78020 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.59× 1.0170.6000
Practice expense1.74× 1.0961.9070
Malpractice0.04× 0.5360.0214
Total RVUs2.5285
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Chico$84.45

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 78020 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.591.017
Practice expense1.741.096
Malpractice0.040.536

(0.59 × 1.017 + 1.74 × 1.096 + 0.04 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $84.45

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

78020 · Office / nonfacility

$84.45

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.88 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $81.57 to $84.45 (3.5%).

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

    $81.57changed to$84.45

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense RVU 1.73 changed to 1.74
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $81.57

    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 fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$84.45Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$84.45Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$84.45Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$84.45Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$81.57Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$81.57Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$81.57Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$81.57Not available in this settingRVU25A

78020 billing questions

Can 78020 be reported by itself?

No. It is an add-on and must be reported with the primary whole-body thyroid carcinoma metastasis imaging service, 78018.

How is 78020 different from 78018?

78018 represents the primary whole-body metastasis imaging service. 78020 adds the quantitative whole-body uptake measurement.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports 78020?

Document the thyroid carcinoma indication, radioactive tracer administration, whole-body uptake measurement, and the interpreting physician’s findings.

How does the primary procedure’s global period affect this add-on?

CMS pays 78020 within the global period of the primary procedure. It is reported with 78018, not as a separate standalone service.

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.

RVUs for 78020PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,197 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet