Billing code 78072: Parathyroid imagingMedicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Reports parathyroid planar imaging combined with SPECT and CT, commonly used to localize abnormal parathyroid tissue during hyperparathyroidism evaluation.
Medicare pays $376.37–$444.58 for 78072 in the office in Virginia, from Virginia to Dc + Md/Va Suburbs. 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 78072 covers
This nuclear medicine study combines planar images with SPECT and CT to help localize abnormal parathyroid tissue, including glands that may be ectopic. It is commonly performed with technetium-99m sestamibi during evaluation of hyperparathyroidism, often to guide surgical planning. Nuclear medicine technologists acquire the images, and a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician interprets them. The study may be performed in a hospital or an imaging center equipped for SPECT/CT.
Select this code when the documented parathyroid examination includes planar imaging, SPECT, and CT; a planar-only study or one without CT belongs to a different level in the code family. The record should support the imaging performed and the interpreting physician’s findings. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier when billing 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.
Where 78072 pays more and less in Virginia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $444.58 | Unavailable |
| Virginia | $376.37 | Unavailable |
How the 78072 rate is calculated
Each of 78072’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 · 78072
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.56
1.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.79
9.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
11.4700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$383.11
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 78072
The CMS indicators that decide how 78072 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 78072
Parathyroid imaging
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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
78072 without 26 · national office
$383.11
Parathyroid imaging
78072-26 · Professional component
$70.81
Pays only the interpretation and report.
78072 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 78070Parathyroid imaging
- 78070 represents planar parathyroid imaging. Choose 78072 when the study also includes SPECT and CT.
- 78071Parathyroid imaging
- 78071 includes SPECT with planar parathyroid imaging but does not include CT. The CT component distinguishes 78072.
- 78099Unlisted endocrine px dx nuc
- 78099 is for an unlisted endocrine nuclear medicine diagnostic procedure when no specific code fits; use 78072 for the defined parathyroid SPECT/CT study.
78072 billing questions
When should 78072 be selected instead of 78071?
Use 78072 when the parathyroid study includes planar imaging, SPECT, and CT. The distinguishing feature from 78071 is the CT component.
How does 78072 differ from 78070?
78070 is the planar-imaging level. Use 78072 when the documented study also includes SPECT and CT.
Can the professional and technical portions 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 78072?
The record should show that planar imaging, SPECT, and CT were performed for the parathyroid examination, with an interpretation documenting the findings.
Is this code used for parathyroid localization in hyperparathyroidism?
Yes. A common clinical use is localizing abnormal parathyroid tissue during hyperparathyroidism evaluation, including imaging to support surgical planning.
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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