HCPCS G0279: Diagnostic breast tomosynthesisMedicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Medicare add-on for digital breast tomosynthesis during a diagnostic mammogram, reported once with 77065 or 77066 whether one or both breasts are imaged.
Medicare pays $40.18 for G0279 in the office in Delaware (Delaware). Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 9 sections
What G0279 covers
G0279 covers digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), often called 3D mammography, performed as part of a diagnostic mammogram. The tomosynthesis unit acquires low-dose projections from multiple angles, which are reconstructed into thin slices. A radiologist uses them to evaluate a palpable lump, nipple discharge, a callback from screening, or a finding under short-interval follow-up. Technologists acquire the images in hospital outpatient breast centers and freestanding imaging facilities. A radiologist interprets the slices alongside the mammographic views.
Report G0279 only with diagnostic mammography code 77065 (one breast) or 77066 (both breasts). Document that tomosynthesis was performed and identify the breast or breasts imaged. Report one unit whether tomosynthesis examines one or both breasts: the code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. As an add-on, it is paid within the primary procedure’s global period. Use modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion, or no component modifier when one entity bills the global service.
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.
G0279 in Delaware
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $40.18 | Unavailable |
How the G0279 rate is calculated
Each of G0279’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · G0279
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.2100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$40.42
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for G0279
The CMS indicators that decide how G0279 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · G0279
Diagnostic breast tomosynthesis
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 9 | The concept doesn’t apply. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
G0279 without 26 · national office
$40.42
Diagnostic breast tomosynthesis
G0279-26 · Professional component
$27.72
Pays only the interpretation and report.
G0279 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 77063Screening breast tomosynthesis
- 77063 is the tomosynthesis add-on for screening mammography (77067). G0279 accompanies a diagnostic mammogram (77065 or 77066).
- 77062Breast tomosynthesis bi
- 77062 is the billing code bilateral diagnostic tomosynthesis code. For Medicare claims, report G0279 with 77065 or 77066 instead.
- 77066Diagnostic mammogram
- 77066 reports the bilateral diagnostic mammogram. G0279 adds tomosynthesis acquisition and interpretation and is reported with the diagnostic mammography code.
G0279 billing questions
Can G0279 be reported with a screening mammogram?
No. G0279 accompanies diagnostic mammography with 77065 or 77066. Tomosynthesis added to a screening mammogram (77067) is reported with add-on 77063 instead.
Why bill G0279 to Medicare instead of billing code 77061 or 77062?
Medicare uses G0279 with the diagnostic mammography code rather than paying the billing code diagnostic tomosynthesis codes 77061 and 77062.
How many units are reported if both breasts receive tomosynthesis?
One unit. G0279 covers unilateral or bilateral tomosynthesis and is already priced as bilateral; do not add modifier 50 or a second unit.
How is G0279 split between a hospital and a radiology group?
The radiologist bills G0279-26 for interpretation. The hospital reports its facility service through hospital outpatient billing; an entity billing the technical portion on the physician fee schedule uses G0279-TC. Each bills the applicable portion of 77065 or 77066 as well.
What documentation supports G0279?
The record should show that diagnostic tomosynthesis images were acquired and interpreted, identify the breast or breasts examined, and support the accompanying diagnostic mammogram.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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