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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

76946 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$35.80

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.

Obstetric ultrasound

About 76946: Ultrasound guidance for amniocentesis

Reports real-time ultrasound guidance used to direct an amniocentesis needle into the amniotic cavity during prenatal diagnostic sampling.

This service uses real-time ultrasound to help guide the needle into the amniotic cavity during amniocentesis, commonly for prenatal diagnostic sampling. The operator uses imaging to assess the needle path and its position during the procedure. Obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and radiologists may perform the guidance in an office or hospital setting.

Report this guidance with the amniocentesis service when both are performed; the amniocentesis itself is reported separately. Documentation should identify the guidance performed and include the interpreting clinician’s findings. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and reporting without either modifier represents the global service. Use the component modifier that matches how the service was furnished and billed.

CMS billing rules for 76946

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 RVU0.37 · 36%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU0.62 · 61%
  • Malpractice RVU0.03 · 3%

60

Medicare services in 2024 · #5247 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.

76946 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

59000

Amniocentesis

Diagnostic fluid sampling

$120.03

59000 reports the amniocentesis sampling procedure; 76946 reports the ultrasound guidance used during that procedure.

76945

Echo guide villus sampling

No office rate

76945 is used for ultrasound guidance during chorionic villus sampling. Use 76946 when the guided procedure is amniocentesis.

76942

Ultrasound needle guidance

Biopsy, aspiration, injection, or localization

$67.82

76942 describes ultrasound guidance for needle placement in other procedures, such as biopsy or aspiration. 76946 specifically identifies guidance for amniocentesis.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 76946 is $35.90—$0.10 higher than the $35.80 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

76946 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $35.80

  2. Bakersfield

    $35.90

    $0.10 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $35.80

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $35.81

    $0.01 higher than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $35.80

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $35.80

    The same base rate than Modesto

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

    $38.03

    $2.23 higher than Modesto

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, 76946 ranges from $30.66 in Arkansas to $44.12 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

  • Madera

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 76946

    Office

    $40.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.14 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 76946

    Office

    $37.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.01 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 76946

    Office

    $36.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.33 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 76946

    Office

    $37.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.62 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 76946

    Office

    $37.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.48 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 76946

    Office

    $38.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.24 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 76946

    Office

    $43.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.39 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 76946

    Office

    $43.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.36 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 76946

    Office

    $44.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.32 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 76946

    Office

    $43.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.18 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 76946

    Office

    $36.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.89 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 76946

    Office

    $38.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.52 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 76946

    Office

    $37.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.59 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 76946

    Office

    $38.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.90 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 76946

    Office

    $40.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.09 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 76946

    Office

    $35.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 76946

    Office

    $38.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.74 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 76946

    Office

    $36.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.65 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 76946

    Office

    $35.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.24 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 76946

    Office

    $38.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.00 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 76946

    Office

    $41.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.34 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 76946

    Office

    $31.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 76946

    Office

    $30.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.14 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 76946

    Office

    $33.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.52 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 76946

    Office

    $35.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.48 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 76946

    Office

    $36.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.32 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 76946

    Office

    $33.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 76946

    Office

    $35.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.65 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 76946

    Office

    $33.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.14 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 76946

    Office

    $34.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.16 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 76946

    Office

    $32.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.78 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 76946

    Office

    $36.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.68 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 76946

    Office

    $31.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.10 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 76946

    Office

    $31.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 76946

    Office

    $33.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.37 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 76946

    Office

    $32.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.97 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 76946

    Office

    $35.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 76946

    Office

    $32.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.76 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 76946

    Office

    $31.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 76946

    Office

    $31.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 76946

    Office

    $32.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.82 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 76946

    Office

    $31.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.15 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 76946

    Office

    $38.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.68 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 76946

    Office

    $35.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.64 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 76946

    Office

    $36.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.22 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 76946

    Office

    $34.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 76946

    Office

    $32.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 76946

    Office

    $33.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 76946

    Office

    $34.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 76946

    Office

    $32.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.40 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 76946

    Office

    $33.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.84 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 76946

    Office

    $32.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 76946

    Office

    $33.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.72 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 76946

    Office

    $31.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.61 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 76946

    Office

    $30.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.87 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 76946

    Office

    $34.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.73 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 76946

    Office

    $32.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.48 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 76946

    Office

    $33.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.33 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 76946

    Office

    $31.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.95 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 76946

    Office

    $34.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.01 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 76946

    Office

    $38.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.43 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 76946

    Office

    $36.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.77 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 76946

    Office

    $32.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.25 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 76946

    Office

    $33.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 76946

    Office

    $39.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.83 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 76946

    Office

    $36.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.00 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 76946

    Office

    $39.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.27 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 76946

    Office

    $32.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 76946

    Office

    $32.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.52 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 76946

    Office

    $31.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 76946

    Office

    $36.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.51 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 76946

    Office

    $33.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 76946

    Office

    $35.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 76946

    Office

    $32.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.48 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 76946

    Office

    $34.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.52 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 76946

    Office

    $34.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 76946

    Office

    $32.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.46 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 76946

    Office

    $33.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.40 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 76946

    Office

    $31.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $35.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.62 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $32.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $33.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.04 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $33.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.84 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $33.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.04 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $33.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.95 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $34.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.40 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 76946

    Office

    $32.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 76946

    Office

    $32.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 76946

    Office

    $33.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.38 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 76946

    Office

    $34.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.52 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 76946

    Office

    $33.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.43 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 76946

    Office

    $35.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.71 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 76946

    Office

    $39.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.40 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 76946

    Office

    $32.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 76946

    Office

    $31.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.01 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 76946

    Office

    $33.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.99 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

76946 · 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.

$30.66

$41.14

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$41.141
AL$31.051
AR$30.661
AZ$33.281
CA$35.80–$44.1229
CO$35.321
CT$36.121
DC$38.541
DE$33.781
FL$33.66–$36.453
GA$32.02–$34.642
GU$36.481
HI$36.481
IA$31.701
ID$31.881
IL$32.83–$35.564
IN$32.041
KS$31.581
KY$31.691
LA$31.65–$32.982
MA$35.16–$38.482
MD$34.36–$38.543
ME$32.03–$33.512
MI$32.40–$34.032
MN$33.961
MO$31.19–$33.083
MS$30.931
MT$34.071
NC$32.321
ND$33.471
NE$31.851
NH$34.791
NJ$36.57–$38.232
NM$32.551
NV$33.921
NY$32.74–$39.635
OH$32.281
OK$31.631
OR$33.69–$36.312
PA$32.32–$35.332
PR$34.281
RI$34.881
SC$32.341
SD$33.401
TN$31.721
TX$32.13–$35.188
UT$32.721
VA$33.42–$38.542
VI$34.281
VT$33.371
WA$35.09–$39.202
WI$32.511
WV$31.791
WY$33.811

Explore 76946 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Modesto is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 33 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 76946 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$39.38

$35.80 × 110% = $39.38

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 76946 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,877

Code
76946
Physician work
0.37
Practice expense
0.62
Malpractice
0.03

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 76946 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.37× 1.0170.3763
Practice expense0.62× 1.0960.6795
Malpractice0.03× 0.5360.0161
Total RVUs1.0719
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$35.80

Open 76946 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.371.017
Practice expense0.621.096
Malpractice0.030.536

(0.37 × 1.017 + 0.62 × 1.096 + 0.03 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $35.80

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

76946 · Office / nonfacility

$35.80

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $34.04 to $35.80 (5.2%).

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

    $34.04changed to$35.80

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.38 changed to 0.37
    • Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • 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: $34.04

    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$35.80Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$35.80Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$35.80Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$35.80Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$34.04Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$34.04Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$34.04Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$34.04Not available in this settingRVU25A

76946 billing questions

Which amniocentesis code is commonly reported with this guidance?

CPT 59000 represents the amniocentesis procedure and is commonly reported for the sampling performed during the same encounter. This code represents the ultrasound guidance.

How is this different from ultrasound guidance for chorionic villus sampling?

Use 76946 for ultrasound guidance during amniocentesis. Code 76945 is for guidance during chorionic villus sampling, a different prenatal sampling procedure.

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. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Does this code represent a complete obstetric ultrasound examination?

No. It describes ultrasound guidance for the amniocentesis needle, not a comprehensive fetal or obstetric examination.

What documentation supports reporting the guidance?

Document that ultrasound was used to guide the amniocentesis, along with the guidance findings and the interpreting clinician’s report. The record should support the component billed when professional and technical services are split.

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 76946PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,877 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet