CPT 76826
Global XXX ActiveEcho exam of fetal heart
CPT 76826 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 76826 (Echo exam of fetal heart) is classified under Radiology with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.81, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 3.88, and a malpractice RVU of 0.05, a total non-facility RVU of 4.74 and facility RVU of 4.74. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $164.29, though rates vary from $139.24 to $217.8 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 76826, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 76826 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
No global period (E/M and other non-procedural services)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 2 units of 76826 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 76826
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.81 | 0.81 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Total RVU | 4.74 | 4.74 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 76826
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $182.28 | $182.28 | $170.45 - $217.8 | 29 |
| Florida | $160.33 | $160.33 | $153.46 - $166.19 | 3 |
| Georgia | $152.73 | $152.73 | $144.64 - $160.81 | 2 |
| Illinois | $155.57 | $155.57 | $147.99 - $163.3 | 4 |
| Michigan | $151.1 | $151.1 | $147.26 - $154.93 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $149.03 | $149.03 | $149.03 - $149.03 | 1 |
| New York | $175.18 | $175.18 | $151.34 - $185.98 | 5 |
| Ohio | $147.06 | $147.06 | $147.06 - $147.06 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $156.02 | $156.02 | $147.6 - $164.44 | 2 |
| Texas | $156.34 | $156.34 | $146.54 - $165.7 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 76826
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 76826 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0689T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0690T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36591 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36592 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 51701 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 51702 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 76815 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 76825 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | HCPCS/CPT procedure code definition |
| 76970 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 76986 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 76826
What does CPT code 76826 mean? +
CPT code 76826 represents: Echo exam of fetal heart. It's in the Radiology category with a global period of XXX.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 76826? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 76826 is $164.29. Rates range from $139.24 to $217.8 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 76826? +
Radiology codes rely heavily on the professional/technical split: modifier 26 (professional component only) and TC (technical component only). Also common: 50 (bilateral imaging), 76 (repeat by same physician), 77 (repeat by different physician), and LT/RT for laterality.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 76826? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team