Billing code 76982: Ultrasound elastographyMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports ultrasound elastography of the first focal target lesion, assessing tissue stiffness in settings such as breast or liver imaging.
Medicare pays $87.03–$95.63 for 76982 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Suburban Chicago. 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 76982 covers
This service uses ultrasound elastography to assess the stiffness of a specific focal lesion, such as a breast or liver lesion. The sonographic acquisition and physician interpretation may occur in a hospital imaging department or an outpatient imaging practice. It is distinct from elastography directed at diffuse organ parenchyma: this code identifies the first target lesion examined.
Report 76982 for the first target lesion; report 76983 for each additional target lesion when performed. Documentation should identify the lesion assessed and support the elastography findings with the imaging record and interpretation. The service may be billed globally or split: modifier 26 represents the professional interpretation, while modifier TC represents the technical service, including equipment and staff. Diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.
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.
Where 76982 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$87.03 to $95.63
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $94.75 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $88.13 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $87.03 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $95.63 | Unavailable |
How the 76982 rate is calculated
Each of 76982’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 · 76982
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.58
0.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.15
2.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.7700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$92.52
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 76982
The CMS indicators that decide how 76982 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 76982
Ultrasound elastography
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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
76982 without 26 · national office
$92.52
Ultrasound elastography
76982-26 · Professional component
$28.06
Pays only the interpretation and report.
76982 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 76981Ultrasound elastography
- 76982 assesses a focal target lesion; 76981 assesses parenchyma, such as liver tissue, rather than a specific lesion.
- 76983Ultrasound elastography
- 76982 is reported for the first target lesion. 76983 is the add-on for each additional target lesion.
- 76978Contrast ultrasound
- 76982 measures tissue stiffness with elastography. 76978 uses microbubble contrast to assess lesion enhancement.
76982 billing questions
When should 76982 be selected instead of 76981?
Use 76982 for elastography of a focal target lesion. Use 76981 when the examination assesses organ parenchyma rather than a specific lesion.
How is a second target lesion reported?
Report 76982 for the first lesion and 76983 for each additional target lesion examined in the same service.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the target lesion evaluated, the elastography imaging, and the physician's interpretation and findings. The record should distinguish a focal lesion assessment from parenchymal elastography.
Does multiple procedure reduction affect this service?
Yes. Diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
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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