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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

77771 in Merced

Office / nonfacility

$654.71

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.

Radiation oncology

About 77771: Intermediate-complexity HDR brachytherapy delivery

Reports intermediate-complexity high-dose-rate brachytherapy delivery through interstitial catheters or an intracavitary applicator for a treatment session.

A radiation oncologist uses a remote afterloader to send a temporary high-dose-rate radioactive source through interstitial catheters or an intracavitary applicator. The source delivers radiation at planned positions and is withdrawn after treatment. Common clinical settings include gynecologic brachytherapy using an intracavitary applicator and interstitial treatment using implanted catheters. This code identifies the intermediate-complexity level of HDR delivery, rather than superficial skin treatment or permanent source implantation.

Select the intermediate level using the documented complexity of the delivery and the applicable CPT criteria; do not assign it solely from the treatment site or fraction count. The record should support the applicator or catheter arrangement, treatment delivery, and level selected. The service covers management of the HDR source as part of delivery. CMS lists separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.

CMS billing rules for 77771

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 RVU3.71 · 20%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU14.31 · 78%
  • Malpractice RVU0.27 · 1%

7.5K

Medicare services in 2024 · #1620 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.

77771 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.

77770

HDR brachytherapy

Single channel, per fraction

$375.47

Both describe HDR interstitial or intracavitary delivery, but 77770 is the simple level. Choose between them using the documented complexity and CPT criteria.

77772

HDR brachytherapy

More than 12 channels

$981.48

Both describe HDR interstitial or intracavitary delivery, but 77772 is the complex level. The treatment site alone does not establish which level applies.

77767

Skin brachytherapy

One channel

$270.55

77767 is for superficial-skin HDR brachytherapy. Use 77771 when the source is delivered through interstitial catheters or an intracavitary applicator.

The same code, a different location

How does Merced compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 77771 is $655.62—$0.91 higher than the $654.71 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

77771 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Merced · This locality

    $654.71

  2. $0.91 higher than Merced

  3. Chico

    $654.71

    The same base rate than Merced

  4. El Centro

    $654.75

    $0.04 higher than Merced

  5. Fresno

    $654.71

    The same base rate than Merced

  6. The same base rate than Merced

  7. $45.71 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, 77771 ranges from $539.14 in Arkansas to $831.61 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 · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 77771

    Office

    $766.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $111.56 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 77771

    Office

    $697.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $43.25 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 77771

    Office

    $657.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.98 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 77771

    Office

    $689.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.38 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 77771

    Office

    $686.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.85 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 77771

    Office

    $704.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.46 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 77771

    Office

    $813.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $159.05 higher than Merced for the office setting.

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

    California · 77771

    Office

    $813.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $158.75 higher than Merced for the office setting.

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

    California · 77771

    Office

    $831.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $176.90 higher than Merced for the office setting.

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

    California · 77771

    Office

    $830.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $175.65 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 77771

    Office

    $675.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 77771

    Office

    $712.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $57.37 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 77771

    Office

    $689.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.82 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 77771

    Office

    $719.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $64.70 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 77771

    Office

    $765.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $111.11 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 77771

    Office

    $654.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 77771

    Office

    $703.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $48.98 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 77771

    Office

    $644.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.42 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 77771

    Office

    $625.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 77771

    Office

    $701.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.84 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 77771

    Office

    $699.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.17 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 77771

    Office

    $547.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $107.47 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 77771

    Office

    $539.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $115.57 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 77771

    Office

    $594.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $59.92 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 77771

    Office

    $641.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 77771

    Office

    $652.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.63 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 77771

    Office

    $604.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 77771

    Office

    $624.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.31 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 77771

    Office

    $594.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $60.30 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 77771

    Office

    $620.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.98 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 77771

    Office

    $561.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $93.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 77771

    Office

    $672.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.88 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 77771

    Office

    $564.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $89.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 77771

    Office

    $567.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $86.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 77771

    Office

    $581.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $72.90 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 77771

    Office

    $574.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $80.31 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 77771

    Office

    $631.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.07 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 77771

    Office

    $571.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $83.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 77771

    Office

    $560.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $94.17 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 77771

    Office

    $557.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $97.63 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 77771

    Office

    $583.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $70.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 77771

    Office

    $555.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $99.15 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 77771

    Office

    $707.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $53.01 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 77771

    Office

    $636.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.32 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 77771

    Office

    $649.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 77771

    Office

    $617.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.57 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 77771

    Office

    $569.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $85.45 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 77771

    Office

    $603.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 77771

    Office

    $600.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $54.35 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 77771

    Office

    $570.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $84.23 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 77771

    Office

    $618.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.30 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 77771

    Office

    $581.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $73.17 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 77771

    Office

    $587.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $66.73 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 77771

    Office

    $544.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $110.00 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 77771

    Office

    $542.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $112.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 77771

    Office

    $610.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $43.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 77771

    Office

    $575.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $79.09 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 77771

    Office

    $605.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.16 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 77771

    Office

    $568.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $86.22 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 77771

    Office

    $629.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.34 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 77771

    Office

    $695.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $41.09 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 77771

    Office

    $660.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.00 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 77771

    Office

    $573.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $81.67 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 77771

    Office

    $609.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $44.84 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 77771

    Office

    $716.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $62.19 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 77771

    Office

    $663.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.07 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 77771

    Office

    $709.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $55.10 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 77771

    Office

    $584.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $70.38 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 77771

    Office

    $569.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $85.32 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 77771

    Office

    $557.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $96.96 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 77771

    Office

    $663.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.92 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 77771

    Office

    $606.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $48.40 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 77771

    Office

    $634.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.24 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 77771

    Office

    $571.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $83.50 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 77771

    Office

    $616.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 77771

    Office

    $628.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.65 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 77771

    Office

    $573.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $81.49 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 77771

    Office

    $604.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 77771

    Office

    $563.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $91.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $637.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.87 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $567.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $87.46 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $605.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.10 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $608.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.88 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $604.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $50.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $607.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $47.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $611.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $42.77 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 77771

    Office

    $585.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $69.06 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 77771

    Office

    $581.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $73.41 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 77771

    Office

    $600.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $54.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 77771

    Office

    $616.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.69 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 77771

    Office

    $601.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $53.04 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 77771

    Office

    $635.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.02 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 77771

    Office

    $723.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $69.24 higher than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 77771

    Office

    $584.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $70.12 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 77771

    Office

    $552.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $102.53 lower than Merced for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 77771

    Office

    $608.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.15 lower than Merced for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

77771 · 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.

$539.14

$743.16

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$699.881
AL$547.241
AR$539.141
AZ$594.791
CA$654.71–$831.6129
CO$641.001
CT$652.081
DC$703.691
DE$604.881
FL$594.41–$644.293
GA$561.01–$620.732
GU$672.591
HI$672.591
IA$564.841
ID$567.911
IL$574.40–$631.644
IN$571.381
KS$560.541
KY$557.081
LA$555.56–$583.932
MA$636.39–$707.722
MD$617.14–$703.693
ME$569.26–$603.272
MI$570.48–$600.362
MN$618.411
MO$544.71–$587.983
MS$542.111
MT$610.881
NC$575.621
ND$605.551
NE$568.491
NH$629.371
NJ$660.71–$695.802
NM$573.041
NV$609.871
NY$584.33–$716.905
OH$569.391
OK$557.751
OR$606.31–$663.632
PA$571.21–$634.472
PR$616.021
RI$628.061
SC$573.221
SD$604.911
TN$563.231
TX$567.25–$637.848
UT$581.301
VA$600.13–$703.692
VI$616.021
VT$601.671
WA$635.69–$723.952
WI$584.591
WV$552.181
WY$608.561

Explore 77771 on the national rate map →

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 77771 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$720.18

$654.71 × 110% = $720.18

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.

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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 77771 in Merced.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,163

Code
77771
Physician work
3.71
Practice expense
14.31
Malpractice
0.27

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 77771 in Merced
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.71× 1.0173.7731
Practice expense14.31× 1.09615.6838
Malpractice0.27× 0.5360.1447
Total RVUs19.6015
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$654.71

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

Open 77771 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work3.711.017
Practice expense14.311.096
Malpractice0.270.536

(3.71 × 1.017 + 14.31 × 1.096 + 0.27 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $654.71

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

77771 · Office / nonfacility

$654.71

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $19.78 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $634.93 to $654.71 (3.1%).

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

    $634.93changed to$654.71

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.80 changed to 3.71
    • Practice expense RVU 14.29 changed to 14.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • 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: $634.93

    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$654.71Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$654.71Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$654.71Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$654.71Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$634.93Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$634.93Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$634.93Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$634.93Not available in this settingRVU25A

77771 billing questions

How does 77771 differ from 77770 and 77772?

These codes distinguish simple, intermediate, and complex HDR interstitial or intracavitary delivery. Use the level supported by the documented delivery complexity and CPT criteria, not an assumption based only on site.

Is 77771 reported per fraction?

The code covers delivery for one or more fractions. Follow the applicable CPT reporting instructions and document the treatment delivered; do not infer a separate unit for every fraction.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation component, and TC identifies the technical equipment-and-staff component. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Does 77771 describe superficial skin brachytherapy?

No. It is for interstitial or intracavitary HDR delivery. Superficial skin HDR treatment is represented by the separate 77767–77768 code family.

What documentation supports the intermediate level?

Document the HDR delivery, the interstitial catheter or intracavitary applicator configuration, and the details that support intermediate rather than simple or complex delivery under CPT criteria.

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 77771PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,163 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MercedGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)