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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

78231 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$112.67

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.

Nuclear medicine

About 78231: Serial salivary gland scintigraphy

Serial salivary gland scintigraphy records tracer distribution over time to evaluate the glands when a clinician orders sequential imaging.

This nuclear medicine study obtains sequential images of the salivary glands after administration of a radioactive tracer. The images show how tracer reaches and moves through the glands over time. A nuclear medicine technologist typically performs the acquisition in a hospital imaging department or outpatient nuclear medicine center; a physician, often a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician, interprets the study. The ordering clinician may use it when evaluating suspected salivary gland dysfunction or an abnormality affecting tracer uptake or passage.

Report 78231 when the performed service includes serial salivary gland images, rather than a nonserial imaging service or a separately defined function study. The record should identify the clinical indication, tracer administration, imaging sequence, and the physician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or neither modifier when billing the global service. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC components.

CMS billing rules for 78231

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 RVU0.51 · 16%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU2.58 · 82%
  • Malpractice RVU0.05 · 2%

84

Medicare services in 2024 · #5009 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.

78231 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

78230

Salivary imaging

Routine gland imaging

$170.68

Use 78231 when the study includes serial images. 78230 represents salivary gland imaging without the serial-image distinction.

78232

Salivary gland study

Functional assessment

$110.97

78232 describes a salivary gland function study; 78231 describes serial imaging. Follow the service performed and documented.

78226

Hepatobiliary imaging

Without drug intervention

$308.68

78226 is hepatobiliary system imaging, not salivary gland imaging. The anatomy and diagnostic study determine which code applies.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 78231 is $112.82—$0.15 higher than the $112.67 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

78231 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $112.67

  2. Bakersfield

    $112.82

    $0.15 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $112.67

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $112.67

    The same base rate than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $112.67

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $112.67

    The same base rate than Modesto

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

    $120.79

    $8.12 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, 78231 ranges from $91.92 in Arkansas to $144.07 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 · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 78231

    Office

    $132.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.86 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 78231

    Office

    $120.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.74 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 78231

    Office

    $113.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.54 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 78231

    Office

    $118.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.09 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 78231

    Office

    $118.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.66 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 78231

    Office

    $121.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.85 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 78231

    Office

    $140.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.26 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 78231

    Office

    $140.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.20 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 78231

    Office

    $144.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.40 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 78231

    Office

    $143.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.16 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 78231

    Office

    $116.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.70 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 78231

    Office

    $122.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.32 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 78231

    Office

    $118.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.22 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 78231

    Office

    $124.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.59 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 78231

    Office

    $132.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.78 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 78231

    Office

    $112.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 78231

    Office

    $121.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.66 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 78231

    Office

    $110.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.70 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 78231

    Office

    $107.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 78231

    Office

    $120.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.24 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 78231

    Office

    $118.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.58 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 78231

    Office

    $93.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 78231

    Office

    $91.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 78231

    Office

    $101.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.70 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 78231

    Office

    $110.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 78231

    Office

    $112.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.46 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 78231

    Office

    $103.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.91 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 78231

    Office

    $107.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 78231

    Office

    $101.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.74 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 78231

    Office

    $106.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.03 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 78231

    Office

    $95.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.78 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 78231

    Office

    $115.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.31 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 78231

    Office

    $96.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 78231

    Office

    $97.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.57 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 78231

    Office

    $99.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.99 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 78231

    Office

    $98.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.35 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 78231

    Office

    $108.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 78231

    Office

    $97.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.94 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 78231

    Office

    $95.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.89 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 78231

    Office

    $95.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.50 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 78231

    Office

    $100.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.65 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 78231

    Office

    $94.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 78231

    Office

    $122.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.44 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 78231

    Office

    $109.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 78231

    Office

    $111.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.83 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 78231

    Office

    $105.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.72 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 78231

    Office

    $97.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 78231

    Office

    $103.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.18 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 78231

    Office

    $103.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.66 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 78231

    Office

    $97.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.07 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 78231

    Office

    $106.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 78231

    Office

    $99.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.09 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 78231

    Office

    $100.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 78231

    Office

    $92.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.73 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 78231

    Office

    $92.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.21 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 78231

    Office

    $104.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.79 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 78231

    Office

    $98.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 78231

    Office

    $103.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.78 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 78231

    Office

    $97.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 78231

    Office

    $108.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 78231

    Office

    $119.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.18 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 78231

    Office

    $113.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.98 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 78231

    Office

    $98.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.61 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 78231

    Office

    $104.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.98 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 78231

    Office

    $123.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.02 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 78231

    Office

    $114.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.51 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 78231

    Office

    $122.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.72 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 78231

    Office

    $100.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.60 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 78231

    Office

    $97.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 78231

    Office

    $95.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.38 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 78231

    Office

    $114.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.62 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 78231

    Office

    $104.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.63 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 78231

    Office

    $109.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.63 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 78231

    Office

    $97.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.95 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 78231

    Office

    $105.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.87 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 78231

    Office

    $107.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.80 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 78231

    Office

    $98.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.59 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 78231

    Office

    $103.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.90 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 78231

    Office

    $96.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.41 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $109.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.95 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $97.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $103.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.80 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $104.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $103.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $104.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.55 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $105.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.63 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 78231

    Office

    $100.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.35 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 78231

    Office

    $99.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.13 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 78231

    Office

    $102.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 78231

    Office

    $105.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.87 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 78231

    Office

    $103.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.48 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 78231

    Office

    $109.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.40 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 78231

    Office

    $124.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.32 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 78231

    Office

    $100.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.57 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 78231

    Office

    $94.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.36 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 78231

    Office

    $104.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.23 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

78231 · 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.

$91.92

$128.37

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$118.251
AL$93.381
AR$91.921
AZ$101.971
CA$112.67–$144.0729
CO$110.231
CT$112.211
DC$121.331
DE$103.761
FL$101.93–$110.973
GA$95.89–$106.642
GU$115.981
HI$115.981
IA$96.551
ID$97.101
IL$98.32–$108.614
IN$97.731
KS$95.781
KY$95.171
LA$94.90–$100.022
MA$109.38–$122.112
MD$105.95–$121.333
ME$97.35–$103.492
MI$97.60–$103.012
MN$106.201
MO$92.94–$100.753
MS$92.461
MT$104.881
NC$98.501
ND$103.891
NE$97.201
NH$108.201
NJ$113.65–$119.852
NM$98.061
NV$104.691
NY$100.07–$123.695
OH$97.401
OK$95.291
OR$104.04–$114.292
PA$97.72–$109.042
PR$105.801
RI$107.871
SC$98.081
SD$103.771
TN$96.261
TX$97.00–$109.728
UT$99.541
VA$102.92–$121.332
VI$105.801
VT$103.191
WA$109.27–$124.992
WI$100.101
WV$94.311
WY$104.441

Explore 78231 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 78231 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$123.94

$112.67 × 110% = $123.94

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 78231 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

9,278

Code
78231
Physician work
0.51
Practice expense
2.58
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 78231 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.51× 1.0170.5187
Practice expense2.58× 1.0962.8277
Malpractice0.05× 0.5360.0268
Total RVUs3.3732
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$112.67

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

Open 78231 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.511.017
Practice expense2.581.096
Malpractice0.050.536

(0.51 × 1.017 + 2.58 × 1.096 + 0.05 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $112.67

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

78231 · Office / nonfacility

$112.67

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $108.12 to $112.67 (4.2%).

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

    $108.12changed to$112.67

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.58
    • 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: $108.12

    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$112.67Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$112.67Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$112.67Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$112.67Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$108.12Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$108.12Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$108.12Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$108.12Not available in this settingRVU25A

78231 billing questions

How does 78231 differ from 78230?

78231 is for serial images acquired over time. 78230 describes salivary gland imaging without that serial-image distinction.

When should 78232 be used instead?

Use 78232 when the performed service is a salivary gland function study. Select 78231 when the service is serial imaging, as documented in the imaging protocol.

Which modifier reports only the interpretation?

Append modifier 26 for the physician’s professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical portion, while billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports 78231?

Document the clinical indication, tracer administration, serial image acquisition, and interpretation. The record should make clear that sequential images were obtained.

Can 78230 and 78231 be reported together?

Choose the code that matches the salivary imaging service actually performed. The documentation should support the serial-image service for 78231 rather than treating the two codes as interchangeable.

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 78231PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 9,278 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet