On this page

CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

96138 in El Centro

Office / nonfacility

$41.18

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.

Psychological testing

About 96138: Technician-administered psychological testing, initial time

Reports the first 30 minutes of technician administration and scoring for a battery of at least two psychological or neuropsychological tests.

A psychometrist or other trained testing technician administers and scores standardized instruments that assess psychological or neuropsychological functions, such as memory, attention, or emotional and behavioral functioning. Typical referrals include cognitive concerns after neurologic illness, suspected learning or attention problems, and diagnostic clarification of mood or behavior symptoms. The technician performs the testing under the direction of a physician or other qualified health professional in an office or facility.

Report 96138 for the initial 30 minutes of technician time spent administering and scoring at least two tests. Use 96139 for additional technician time in 30-minute increments. Documentation should identify the tests, technician, time, results, and supervising professional, and support the clinical reason for testing. When a qualified health professional performs the test administration and scoring, consider 96136 instead. CMS assigns no physician-work RVU to 96138; its relative values include practice expense and malpractice components.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.00 · 0%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU1.12 · 99%
  • Malpractice RVU0.01 · 1%

205.2K

Medicare services in 2024 · #383 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.

96138 compared with similar codes

Office rates for El Centro, from the same CMS release.

96136

Test administration

Physician or QHP, first 30 minutes

$46.13

Both cover test administration and scoring, but 96138 is for technician-performed work and 96136 is for work performed by a physician or other qualified health professional.

96139

Psychology testing

Technician, each additional 30 minutes

$38.80

96138 reports the initial 30 minutes of technician testing; 96139 reports additional technician time in 30-minute increments.

96130

Psychological evaluation

First hour

$127.39

96138 covers technician administration and scoring. 96130 covers the qualified health professional's psychological test evaluation and report.

96146

Automated testing

Single instrument, automated result

$2.38

96146 describes a single automated test with an automated result; 96138 is for technician administration and scoring of at least two tests.

The same code, a different location

How does El Centro compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 96138 is $41.20—$0.02 higher than the $41.18 rate in El Centro. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

96138 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. El Centro · This locality

    $41.18

  2. $0.02 higher than El Centro

  3. Chico

    $41.18

    The same base rate than El Centro

  4. Fresno

    $41.18

    The same base rate than El Centro

  5. The same base rate than El Centro

  6. $3.30 higher than El Centro

  7. Madera

    $41.18

    The same base rate than El Centro

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, 96138 ranges from $32.31 in Arkansas to $54.12 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 · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 96138

    Office

    $49.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.29 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 96138

    Office

    $44.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.25 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.11 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 96138

    Office

    $43.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.51 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 96138

    Office

    $43.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.36 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 96138

    Office

    $44.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.74 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 96138

    Office

    $52.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.72 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 96138

    Office

    $52.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.71 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 96138

    Office

    $54.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.94 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 96138

    Office

    $54.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.90 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 96138

    Office

    $42.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.61 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 96138

    Office

    $45.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.45 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 96138

    Office

    $43.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.62 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 96138

    Office

    $46.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.94 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 96138

    Office

    $49.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.28 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 96138

    Office

    $41.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 96138

    Office

    $44.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.26 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 96138

    Office

    $39.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.39 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 96138

    Office

    $38.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.82 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 96138

    Office

    $44.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.82 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 96138

    Office

    $40.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.16 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 96138

    Office

    $32.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.26 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 96138

    Office

    $32.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.87 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 96138

    Office

    $36.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.64 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 96138

    Office

    $40.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.12 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 96138

    Office

    $40.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.49 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 96138

    Office

    $37.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.92 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 96138

    Office

    $38.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 96138

    Office

    $36.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.91 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 96138

    Office

    $38.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.77 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 96138

    Office

    $33.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.41 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 96138

    Office

    $42.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.55 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 96138

    Office

    $34.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.82 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 96138

    Office

    $34.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.61 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 96138

    Office

    $35.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.09 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 96138

    Office

    $34.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.50 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 96138

    Office

    $39.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.17 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 96138

    Office

    $34.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.34 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 96138

    Office

    $33.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.19 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 96138

    Office

    $33.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.62 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 96138

    Office

    $35.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.60 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 96138

    Office

    $33.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.75 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 96138

    Office

    $44.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.78 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 96138

    Office

    $39.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 96138

    Office

    $40.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.63 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 96138

    Office

    $38.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 96138

    Office

    $34.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.56 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 96138

    Office

    $37.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.90 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 96138

    Office

    $36.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 96138

    Office

    $34.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.65 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 96138

    Office

    $38.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.59 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 96138

    Office

    $35.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.73 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 96138

    Office

    $35.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.23 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 96138

    Office

    $32.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.61 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 96138

    Office

    $32.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 96138

    Office

    $37.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 96138

    Office

    $35.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.06 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 96138

    Office

    $37.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.64 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 96138

    Office

    $34.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.53 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 96138

    Office

    $39.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.94 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 96138

    Office

    $43.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.57 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 96138

    Office

    $41.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.04 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 96138

    Office

    $34.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.47 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 96138

    Office

    $37.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.46 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 96138

    Office

    $45.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.92 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 96138

    Office

    $41.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.19 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 96138

    Office

    $44.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.52 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 96138

    Office

    $35.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.41 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 96138

    Office

    $34.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.69 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 96138

    Office

    $33.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.51 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 96138

    Office

    $41.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.63 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 96138

    Office

    $37.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.69 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 96138

    Office

    $39.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 96138

    Office

    $34.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 96138

    Office

    $38.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 96138

    Office

    $38.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 96138

    Office

    $34.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.33 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 96138

    Office

    $37.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.66 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 96138

    Office

    $34.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $39.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.31 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $34.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.83 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $37.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.85 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $37.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.63 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $37.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $37.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.76 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $37.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.57 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 96138

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.38 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 96138

    Office

    $35.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 96138

    Office

    $37.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.17 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 96138

    Office

    $38.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 96138

    Office

    $37.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.98 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 96138

    Office

    $39.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.53 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 96138

    Office

    $46.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.99 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 96138

    Office

    $35.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 96138

    Office

    $32.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.19 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 96138

    Office

    $37.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

96138 · 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.

$32.31

$47.65

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$40.021
AL$32.921
AR$32.311
AZ$36.541
CA$41.18–$54.1229
CO$40.061
CT$40.691
DC$44.441
DE$37.261
FL$36.27–$39.793
GA$33.77–$38.412
GU$42.731
HI$42.731
IA$34.361
ID$34.571
IL$34.68–$39.014
IN$34.841
KS$33.991
KY$33.561
LA$33.43–$35.582
MA$39.66–$44.962
MD$38.16–$44.443
ME$34.62–$37.282
MI$34.53–$36.662
MN$38.591
MO$32.57–$35.953
MS$32.461
MT$37.741
NC$35.121
ND$37.541
NE$34.651
NH$39.241
NJ$41.22–$43.752
NM$34.711
NV$37.721
NY$35.77–$45.105
OH$34.491
OK$33.671
OR$37.49–$41.812
PA$34.66–$39.342
PR$38.151
RI$38.941
SC$34.851
SD$37.521
TN$34.181
TX$34.35–$39.878
UT$35.461
VA$37.01–$44.442
VI$38.151
VT$37.201
WA$39.65–$46.172
WI$35.941
WV$32.991
WY$37.661

Explore 96138 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

El Centro is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 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.

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 96138 in El Centro. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$45.30

$41.18 × 110% = $45.30

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 96138 in El Centro.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,761

Code
96138
Physician work
0.00
Practice expense
1.12
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office / nonfacility calculation for 96138 in El Centro
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.00× 1.0170.0000
Practice expense1.12× 1.0961.2275
Malpractice0.01× 0.5410.0054
Total RVUs1.2329
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, El Centro$41.18

Open 96138 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work01.017
Practice expense1.121.096
Malpractice0.010.541

(0 × 1.017 + 1.12 × 1.096 + 0.01 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $41.18

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

96138 · Office / nonfacility

$41.18

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.58 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $36.60 to $41.18 (12.5%).

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

    $36.60changed to$41.18

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.12
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $36.60

    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$41.18Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$41.18Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$41.18Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$41.18Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$36.60Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$36.60Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$36.60Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$36.60Not available in this settingRVU25A

96138 billing questions

When should 96138 be chosen instead of 96136?

Use 96138 when a technician administers and scores the tests; use 96136 when a physician or other qualified health professional performs that work. The service covers at least two tests.

How is additional technician testing time reported?

96138 represents the initial 30 minutes. Report 96139 for additional technician testing time in 30-minute increments.

Can the professional interpretation and report be billed separately?

Yes, when performed and documented, the qualified health professional's interpretation and report may be reported separately, such as with 96130 for psychological testing or 96132 for neuropsychological testing.

What documentation supports 96138?

Record the tests administered, the technician's time and scoring work, results, supervising professional, and clinical reason for the testing.

Is 96138 the right code for a fully automated test?

Not when the service is a single automated test with an automated result. Code 96146 describes that different testing method; 96138 represents technician administration and scoring of at least two tests.

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 96138PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,761 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El CentroGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)