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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

G9979 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$78.60

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$41.26

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.

Remote evaluation and management

About G9979: New-patient remote E/M, 20 minutes

G9979 identifies a remote evaluation and management service for a new patient at the 20-minute level.

G9979 represents a remote evaluation-and-management encounter designated for a new patient and a 20-minute service level. It describes clinical work in which a clinician evaluates a new patient’s concern through a remote interaction. The code label does not identify a specific communication platform or clinical specialty. Documentation should show the concern assessed, the remote interaction, and the resulting clinical assessment or plan.

Select G9979 based on both the patient category and the 20-minute level, rather than choosing an established-patient entry or a different time level. Record the time basis for the service, the work performed, and the patient’s status under the applicable new-patient coding definition. CMS assigns work, practice-expense, and malpractice relative value units to this code, with separate office and facility practice-expense values.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.93 · 41%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU1.25 · 56%
  • Malpractice RVU0.07 · 3%

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.

G9979 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

G9978

Remote E/M

New patient, 10 minutes

$54.72

Both identify remote E/M for a new patient, but G9978 is the 10-minute level rather than the 20-minute level.

G9980

Remote E/M

New patient, 30 minutes

$115.53

Both identify remote E/M for a new patient; G9980 is the 30-minute level.

G9983

Remote E/M

Established patient, 10 minutes

$54.72

G9983 is an established-patient remote E/M entry at the 10-minute level; G9979 is for a new patient at the 20-minute level.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for G9979 is $78.84—$0.24 higher than the $78.60 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

G9979 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $78.60

  2. Bakersfield

    $78.84

    $0.24 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $78.60

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $78.62

    $0.02 higher than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $78.60

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $78.60

    The same base rate than Modesto

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

    $83.28

    $4.68 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, G9979 ranges from $68.13 in Arkansas to $95.94 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 · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · G9979

    Office

    $89.24

    Facility

    $44.33

    $10.64 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · G9979

    Office

    $82.74

    Facility

    $42.47

    $4.14 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · G9979

    Office

    $79.38

    Facility

    $42.04

    $0.78 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · G9979

    Office

    $81.99

    Facility

    $42.37

    $3.39 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · G9979

    Office

    $81.67

    Facility

    $42.18

    $3.07 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · G9979

    Office

    $83.20

    Facility

    $42.45

    $4.60 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · G9979

    Office

    $93.96

    Facility

    $45.92

    $15.36 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · G9979

    Office

    $93.88

    Facility

    $45.84

    $15.28 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · G9979

    Office

    $95.94

    Facility

    $46.81

    $17.34 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · G9979

    Office

    $95.61

    Facility

    $46.49

    $17.01 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · G9979

    Office

    $80.40

    Facility

    $41.59

    $1.80 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · G9979

    Office

    $83.70

    Facility

    $42.30

    $5.10 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · G9979

    Office

    $81.87

    Facility

    $42.14

    $3.27 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · G9979

    Office

    $84.52

    Facility

    $42.68

    $5.92 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · G9979

    Office

    $89.12

    Facility

    $44.22

    $10.52 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · G9979

    Office

    $78.60

    Facility

    $41.26

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · G9979

    Office

    $84.53

    Facility

    $44.39

    $5.93 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · G9979

    Office

    $80.44

    Facility

    $44.97

    $1.84 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · G9979

    Office

    $78.61

    Facility

    $44.37

    $0.01 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · G9979

    Office

    $85.27

    Facility

    $45.69

    $6.67 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · G9979

    Office

    $92.35

    Facility

    $56.06

    $13.75 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · G9979

    Office

    $68.92

    Facility

    $39.11

    $9.68 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · G9979

    Office

    $68.13

    Facility

    $38.87

    $10.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · G9979

    Office

    $73.52

    Facility

    $40.51

    $5.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · G9979

    Office

    $77.68

    Facility

    $41.44

    $0.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · G9979

    Office

    $79.48

    Facility

    $42.79

    $0.88 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · G9979

    Office

    $74.57

    Facility

    $40.91

    $4.03 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · G9979

    Office

    $77.58

    Facility

    $43.07

    $1.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · G9979

    Office

    $74.49

    Facility

    $41.92

    $4.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · G9979

    Office

    $76.38

    Facility

    $41.77

    $2.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · G9979

    Office

    $71.09

    Facility

    $40.70

    $7.51 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · G9979

    Office

    $79.89

    Facility

    $41.15

    $1.29 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · G9979

    Office

    $70.19

    Facility

    $39.02

    $8.41 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · G9979

    Office

    $70.58

    Facility

    $39.24

    $8.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · G9979

    Office

    $74.18

    Facility

    $42.84

    $4.42 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · G9979

    Office

    $72.84

    Facility

    $41.73

    $5.76 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · G9979

    Office

    $78.30

    Facility

    $43.31

    $0.30 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · G9979

    Office

    $70.90

    Facility

    $39.32

    $7.70 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · G9979

    Office

    $69.98

    Facility

    $39.19

    $8.62 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · G9979

    Office

    $70.32

    Facility

    $40.03

    $8.28 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · G9979

    Office

    $73.01

    Facility

    $40.95

    $5.59 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · G9979

    Office

    $70.25

    Facility

    $40.10

    $8.35 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · G9979

    Office

    $84.27

    Facility

    $43.59

    $5.67 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · G9979

    Office

    $77.39

    Facility

    $41.51

    $1.21 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · G9979

    Office

    $79.25

    Facility

    $42.70

    $0.65 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · G9979

    Office

    $75.77

    Facility

    $41.29

    $2.83 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · G9979

    Office

    $70.93

    Facility

    $39.58

    $7.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · G9979

    Office

    $73.91

    Facility

    $40.15

    $4.69 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · G9979

    Office

    $75.29

    Facility

    $42.42

    $3.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · G9979

    Office

    $71.82

    Facility

    $40.72

    $6.78 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · G9979

    Office

    $74.72

    Facility

    $39.66

    $3.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · G9979

    Office

    $72.55

    Facility

    $40.56

    $6.05 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · G9979

    Office

    $73.15

    Facility

    $40.72

    $5.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · G9979

    Office

    $69.33

    Facility

    $39.96

    $9.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · G9979

    Office

    $68.74

    Facility

    $39.41

    $9.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · G9979

    Office

    $75.15

    Facility

    $41.08

    $3.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · G9979

    Office

    $71.51

    Facility

    $39.72

    $7.09 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · G9979

    Office

    $73.76

    Facility

    $39.69

    $4.84 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · G9979

    Office

    $70.48

    Facility

    $39.04

    $8.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · G9979

    Office

    $76.57

    Facility

    $41.11

    $2.03 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · G9979

    Office

    $83.95

    Facility

    $44.43

    $5.35 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · G9979

    Office

    $80.46

    Facility

    $43.26

    $1.86 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · G9979

    Office

    $72.16

    Facility

    $40.92

    $6.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · G9979

    Office

    $74.80

    Facility

    $40.70

    $3.80 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · G9979

    Office

    $87.03

    Facility

    $46.53

    $8.43 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · G9979

    Office

    $81.01

    Facility

    $43.70

    $2.41 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · G9979

    Office

    $85.77

    Facility

    $45.50

    $7.17 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · G9979

    Office

    $72.37

    Facility

    $40.00

    $6.23 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · G9979

    Office

    $71.54

    Facility

    $40.43

    $7.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · G9979

    Office

    $70.16

    Facility

    $39.74

    $8.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · G9979

    Office

    $79.68

    Facility

    $41.83

    $1.08 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · G9979

    Office

    $74.29

    Facility

    $40.36

    $4.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · G9979

    Office

    $77.87

    Facility

    $42.41

    $0.73 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · G9979

    Office

    $71.60

    Facility

    $40.32

    $7.00 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · G9979

    Office

    $75.58

    Facility

    $41.13

    $3.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · G9979

    Office

    $76.87

    Facility

    $41.67

    $1.73 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · G9979

    Office

    $71.63

    Facility

    $40.15

    $6.97 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · G9979

    Office

    $73.60

    Facility

    $39.53

    $5.00 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · G9979

    Office

    $70.27

    Facility

    $39.30

    $8.33 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $77.37

    Facility

    $41.32

    $1.23 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $71.23

    Facility

    $40.23

    $7.37 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $74.51

    Facility

    $40.75

    $4.09 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $74.93

    Facility

    $41.00

    $3.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $74.55

    Facility

    $40.95

    $4.05 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $74.71

    Facility

    $40.88

    $3.89 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $75.99

    Facility

    $42.16

    $2.61 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · G9979

    Office

    $72.80

    Facility

    $40.46

    $5.80 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · G9979

    Office

    $72.41

    Facility

    $40.38

    $6.19 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · G9979

    Office

    $73.75

    Facility

    $40.27

    $4.85 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · G9979

    Office

    $75.58

    Facility

    $41.13

    $3.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · G9979

    Office

    $73.58

    Facility

    $39.85

    $5.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · G9979

    Office

    $77.21

    Facility

    $41.34

    $1.39 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · G9979

    Office

    $85.75

    Facility

    $43.95

    $7.15 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · G9979

    Office

    $71.78

    Facility

    $39.14

    $6.82 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · G9979

    Office

    $70.69

    Facility

    $41.08

    $7.91 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · G9979

    Office

    $74.54

    Facility

    $40.48

    $4.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

G9979 · 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.

$68.13

$92.35

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$92.351
AL$68.921
AR$68.131
AZ$73.521
CA$78.60–$95.9429
CO$77.681
CT$79.481
DC$84.531
DE$74.571
FL$74.49–$80.443
GA$71.09–$76.382
GU$79.891
HI$79.891
IA$70.191
ID$70.581
IL$72.84–$78.614
IN$70.901
KS$69.981
KY$70.321
LA$70.25–$73.012
MA$77.39–$84.272
MD$75.77–$84.533
ME$70.93–$73.912
MI$71.82–$75.292
MN$74.721
MO$69.33–$73.153
MS$68.741
MT$75.151
NC$71.511
ND$73.761
NE$70.481
NH$76.571
NJ$80.46–$83.952
NM$72.161
NV$74.801
NY$72.37–$87.035
OH$71.541
OK$70.161
OR$74.29–$79.682
PA$71.60–$77.872
PR$75.581
RI$76.871
SC$71.631
SD$73.601
TN$70.271
TX$71.23–$77.378
UT$72.411
VA$73.75–$84.532
VI$75.581
VT$73.581
WA$77.21–$85.752
WI$71.781
WV$70.691
WY$74.541

Explore G9979 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 →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For G9979 in Modesto, the physician’s office rate is $78.60 and the facility-setting rate is $41.26: a difference of $37.34.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for G9979 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$86.46

$78.60 × 110% = $86.46

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 G9979 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

16,301

Code
G9979
Physician work
0.93
Practice expense
1.25
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for G9979 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.93× 1.0170.9458
Practice expense1.25× 1.0961.3700
Malpractice0.07× 0.5360.0375
Total RVUs2.3533
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$78.60

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

Open G9979 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.931.017
Practice expense1.251.096
Malpractice0.070.536

(0.93 × 1.017 + 1.25 × 1.096 + 0.07 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $78.60

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.931.017
Practice expense0.231.096
Malpractice0.070.536

(0.93 × 1.017 + 0.23 × 1.096 + 0.07 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $41.26

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

G9979 · Office / nonfacility

$78.60

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $72.78 to $78.60 (8.0%).

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

    $72.78changed to$78.60

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.25
    • 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: $72.78

    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$78.60$41.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$78.60$41.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$78.60$41.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$78.60$41.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$72.78$45.91RVU25D
2025-07-01$72.78$45.91RVU25C
2025-04-01$72.78$45.91RVU25B
2025-01-01$72.78$45.91RVU25A

G9979 billing questions

How does G9979 differ from G9978 or G9980?

All three are new-patient remote E/M codes. G9978 identifies the 10-minute level, G9979 the 20-minute level, and G9980 the 30-minute level.

Can G9979 be used for an established patient?

No. G9979 is designated for a new patient; the nearby G9983 and G9984 entries are for established-patient remote E/M services.

What should the record support?

Document the patient’s new-patient status, the remote evaluation, the clinical concern and assessment, and the time basis supporting the 20-minute level.

Does the code identify whether the service was by phone or video?

No platform is specified in the short descriptor. Document the remote interaction and its clinical work without inferring a communication method from G9979 alone.

What does zero 2024 utilization mean?

CMS records show zero office and facility services for G9979 in 2024. That utilization figure by itself does not explain the code’s coverage or status.

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 G9979PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 16,301 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet