Choose 74230 for recorded assessment of swallowing mechanics and airway protection. Choose 74220 when the examination is directed primarily at the esophagus and its transit.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
74230 in Merced
Office / nonfacility
$129.67
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 radiology
About 74230: Videofluoroscopic swallowing function study
A fluoroscopic swallowing study with recorded imaging evaluates bolus transit and airway protection when dysphagia or suspected aspiration requires dynamic assessment.
This study uses fluoroscopy and recorded images to observe swallowing as the patient takes oral contrast material of selected consistencies. It can show how a bolus moves through the oral and pharyngeal phases and whether material enters the airway. Radiologists commonly provide the imaging interpretation, while speech-language pathologists may assess swallowing mechanics during the examination. Studies are performed in radiology departments and other settings equipped for fluoroscopy, often for patients with dysphagia, coughing during meals, or suspected aspiration.
Report 74230 for the recorded fluoroscopic assessment of swallowing function, rather than an examination focused primarily on esophageal structure or transit. The record should support the swallowing concern, the imaging performed, and the findings interpreted. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or no modifier for the global service. A speech-language pathologist's separately furnished swallowing evaluation may be reported with 92611 when its work is documented.
CMS billing rules for 74230
- 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 RVU0.52 · 14%
- Practice expense (office) RVU3.04 · 84%
- Malpractice RVU0.04 · 1%
318.3K
Medicare services in 2024 · #299 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.
74230 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.
74210 focuses on radiographic examination of the pharynx or cervical esophagus. 74230 captures swallowing function dynamically with recorded imaging.
74230 represents the radiologic service and interpretation. 92611 represents the speech-language pathologist's functional swallowing evaluation when separately furnished and documented.
The same code, a different location
How does Merced compare?
In Bakersfield, the office rate for 74230 is $129.80—$0.13 higher than the $129.67 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
74230 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Merced · This locality
$129.67
$129.80
$0.13 higher than Merced
$129.67
The same base rate than Merced
$129.67
The same base rate than Merced
$129.67
The same base rate than Merced
$129.67
The same base rate than Merced
$9.42 higher than Merced
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, 74230 ranges from $105.28 in Arkansas to $166.41 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
Madera
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Napa
California · 74230
Office
$152.97
Facility
Unavailable
$23.30 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 74230
Office
$138.71
Facility
Unavailable
$9.04 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Redding
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 74230
Office
$130.11
Facility
Unavailable
$0.44 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 74230
Office
$136.80
Facility
Unavailable
$7.13 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 74230
Office
$136.31
Facility
Unavailable
$6.64 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 74230
Office
$140.05
Facility
Unavailable
$10.38 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 74230
Office
$162.80
Facility
Unavailable
$33.13 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 74230
Office
$162.76
Facility
Unavailable
$33.09 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 74230
Office
$166.41
Facility
Unavailable
$36.74 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 74230
Office
$166.23
Facility
Unavailable
$36.56 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 74230
Office
$134.03
Facility
Unavailable
$4.36 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 74230
Office
$141.82
Facility
Unavailable
$12.15 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 74230
Office
$136.97
Facility
Unavailable
$7.30 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 74230
Office
$143.30
Facility
Unavailable
$13.63 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 74230
Office
$152.90
Facility
Unavailable
$23.23 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 74230
Office
$129.67
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 74230
Office
$139.41
Facility
Unavailable
$9.74 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 74230
Office
$126.45
Facility
Unavailable
$3.22 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 74230
Office
$122.60
Facility
Unavailable
$7.07 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 74230
Office
$138.59
Facility
Unavailable
$8.92 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 74230
Office
$134.93
Facility
Unavailable
$5.26 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 74230
Office
$106.97
Facility
Unavailable
$22.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 74230
Office
$105.28
Facility
Unavailable
$24.39 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 74230
Office
$116.90
Facility
Unavailable
$12.77 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 74230
Office
$126.66
Facility
Unavailable
$3.01 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 74230
Office
$128.69
Facility
Unavailable
$0.98 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 74230
Office
$118.98
Facility
Unavailable
$10.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 74230
Office
$122.64
Facility
Unavailable
$7.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 74230
Office
$116.45
Facility
Unavailable
$13.22 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 74230
Office
$122.19
Facility
Unavailable
$7.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 74230
Office
$109.53
Facility
Unavailable
$20.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 74230
Office
$133.59
Facility
Unavailable
$3.92 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 74230
Office
$110.81
Facility
Unavailable
$18.86 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 74230
Office
$111.42
Facility
Unavailable
$18.25 lower than Merced for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 74230
Office
$113.47
Facility
Unavailable
$16.20 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 74230
Office
$112.16
Facility
Unavailable
$17.51 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 74230
Office
$124.14
Facility
Unavailable
$5.53 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 74230
Office
$112.14
Facility
Unavailable
$17.53 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 74230
Office
$109.83
Facility
Unavailable
$19.84 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 74230
Office
$108.86
Facility
Unavailable
$20.81 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 74230
Office
$114.43
Facility
Unavailable
$15.24 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 74230
Office
$108.51
Facility
Unavailable
$21.16 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 74230
Office
$140.51
Facility
Unavailable
$10.84 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 74230
Office
$125.63
Facility
Unavailable
$4.04 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 74230
Office
$128.25
Facility
Unavailable
$1.42 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 74230
Office
$121.53
Facility
Unavailable
$8.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 74230
Office
$111.62
Facility
Unavailable
$18.05 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 74230
Office
$118.84
Facility
Unavailable
$10.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 74230
Office
$117.61
Facility
Unavailable
$12.06 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 74230
Office
$111.58
Facility
Unavailable
$18.09 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 74230
Office
$122.25
Facility
Unavailable
$7.42 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 74230
Office
$114.02
Facility
Unavailable
$15.65 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 74230
Office
$115.37
Facility
Unavailable
$14.30 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 74230
Office
$106.20
Facility
Unavailable
$23.47 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 74230
Office
$105.78
Facility
Unavailable
$23.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 74230
Office
$120.24
Facility
Unavailable
$9.43 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 74230
Office
$112.96
Facility
Unavailable
$16.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 74230
Office
$119.45
Facility
Unavailable
$10.22 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 74230
Office
$111.59
Facility
Unavailable
$18.08 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 74230
Office
$124.24
Facility
Unavailable
$5.43 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 74230
Office
$137.67
Facility
Unavailable
$8.00 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 74230
Office
$130.41
Facility
Unavailable
$0.74 higher than Merced for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 74230
Office
$112.08
Facility
Unavailable
$17.59 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 74230
Office
$120.12
Facility
Unavailable
$9.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 74230
Office
$141.69
Facility
Unavailable
$12.02 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 74230
Office
$130.95
Facility
Unavailable
$1.28 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 74230
Office
$140.43
Facility
Unavailable
$10.76 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 74230
Office
$114.77
Facility
Unavailable
$14.90 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 74230
Office
$111.42
Facility
Unavailable
$18.25 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 74230
Office
$109.08
Facility
Unavailable
$20.59 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 74230
Office
$131.45
Facility
Unavailable
$1.78 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 74230
Office
$119.44
Facility
Unavailable
$10.23 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 74230
Office
$124.98
Facility
Unavailable
$4.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 74230
Office
$111.84
Facility
Unavailable
$17.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 74230
Office
$121.34
Facility
Unavailable
$8.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 74230
Office
$123.78
Facility
Unavailable
$5.89 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 74230
Office
$112.33
Facility
Unavailable
$17.34 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 74230
Office
$119.36
Facility
Unavailable
$10.31 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 74230
Office
$110.38
Facility
Unavailable
$19.29 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Austin
Texas · 74230
Office
$126.01
Facility
Unavailable
$3.66 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Beaumont
Texas · 74230
Office
$111.01
Facility
Unavailable
$18.66 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Brazoria
Texas · 74230
Office
$119.17
Facility
Unavailable
$10.50 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Dallas
Texas · 74230
Office
$119.80
Facility
Unavailable
$9.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Worth
Texas · 74230
Office
$118.81
Facility
Unavailable
$10.86 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Galveston
Texas · 74230
Office
$119.44
Facility
Unavailable
$10.23 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Houston
Texas · 74230
Office
$120.17
Facility
Unavailable
$9.50 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 74230
Office
$114.94
Facility
Unavailable
$14.73 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 74230
Office
$114.01
Facility
Unavailable
$15.66 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 74230
Office
$118.12
Facility
Unavailable
$11.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 74230
Office
$121.34
Facility
Unavailable
$8.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 74230
Office
$118.57
Facility
Unavailable
$11.10 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 74230
Office
$125.53
Facility
Unavailable
$4.14 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 74230
Office
$143.92
Facility
Unavailable
$14.25 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 74230
Office
$115.05
Facility
Unavailable
$14.62 lower than Merced for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 74230
Office
$107.52
Facility
Unavailable
$22.15 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 74230
Office
$119.90
Facility
Unavailable
$9.77 lower than Merced for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
74230 · 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.
$105.28
$148.04
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 | $134.93 | 1 |
| AL | $106.97 | 1 |
| AR | $105.28 | 1 |
| AZ | $116.90 | 1 |
| CA | $129.67–$166.41 | 29 |
| CO | $126.66 | 1 |
| CT | $128.69 | 1 |
| DC | $139.41 | 1 |
| DE | $118.98 | 1 |
| FL | $116.45–$126.45 | 3 |
| GA | $109.53–$122.19 | 2 |
| GU | $133.59 | 1 |
| HI | $133.59 | 1 |
| IA | $110.81 | 1 |
| ID | $111.42 | 1 |
| IL | $112.16–$124.14 | 4 |
| IN | $112.14 | 1 |
| KS | $109.83 | 1 |
| KY | $108.86 | 1 |
| LA | $108.51–$114.43 | 2 |
| MA | $125.63–$140.51 | 2 |
| MD | $121.53–$139.41 | 3 |
| ME | $111.62–$118.84 | 2 |
| MI | $111.58–$117.61 | 2 |
| MN | $122.25 | 1 |
| MO | $106.20–$115.37 | 3 |
| MS | $105.78 | 1 |
| MT | $120.24 | 1 |
| NC | $112.96 | 1 |
| ND | $119.45 | 1 |
| NE | $111.59 | 1 |
| NH | $124.24 | 1 |
| NJ | $130.41–$137.67 | 2 |
| NM | $112.08 | 1 |
| NV | $120.12 | 1 |
| NY | $114.77–$141.69 | 5 |
| OH | $111.42 | 1 |
| OK | $109.08 | 1 |
| OR | $119.44–$131.45 | 2 |
| PA | $111.84–$124.98 | 2 |
| PR | $121.34 | 1 |
| RI | $123.78 | 1 |
| SC | $112.33 | 1 |
| SD | $119.36 | 1 |
| TN | $110.38 | 1 |
| TX | $111.01–$126.01 | 8 |
| UT | $114.01 | 1 |
| VA | $118.12–$139.41 | 2 |
| VI | $121.34 | 1 |
| VT | $118.57 | 1 |
| WA | $125.53–$143.92 | 2 |
| WI | $115.05 | 1 |
| WV | $107.52 | 1 |
| WY | $119.90 | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
Merced is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 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 74230 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$142.64
$129.67 × 110% = $142.64
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 74230 in Merced.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,348
- Code
- 74230
- Physician work
- 0.52
- Practice expense
- 3.04
- Malpractice
- 0.04
GPCI2026.csv
15
- Locality
- Merced
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.52 | × 1.017 | 0.5288 |
| Practice expense | 3.04 | × 1.096 | 3.3318 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 0.536 | 0.0214 |
| Total RVUs | 3.8821 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$129.67
Open 74230 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 0.52 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 3.04 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | 0.536 |
(0.52 × 1.017 + 3.04 × 1.096 + 0.04 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $129.67
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
74230 · Office / nonfacility
$129.67
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $127.00 to $129.67 (2.1%).
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
$127.00changed to$129.67
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.53 changed to 0.52
- Practice expense RVU 3.08 changed to 3.04
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $127.00
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 | $129.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $129.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $129.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $129.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $127.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $127.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $127.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $127.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
74230 billing questions
How does 74230 differ from an esophagram?
74230 evaluates swallowing function dynamically, including bolus movement and airway protection. An esophagram such as 74220 focuses on the esophagus and its transit.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Submit without a component modifier when billing the global service.
Can 92611 be reported for the same examination?
A speech-language pathologist may report 92611 for a separately furnished functional swallowing evaluation. Documentation should distinguish that evaluation from the radiologic interpretation reported with 74230.
What documentation supports 74230?
Document the swallowing symptoms or concern, the fluoroscopic assessment and recorded images, and the interpreted findings, including relevant observations of bolus movement or airway entry.
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.
