CPT 76981
Global XXX ActiveUse parenchyma
CPT 76981 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 76981 (Use parenchyma) is classified under Radiology with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.58, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 2.75, and a malpractice RVU of 0.04, a total non-facility RVU of 3.37 and facility RVU of 3.37. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $116.77, though rates vary from $98.96 to $154.67 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 76981, 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 76981 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 1 units of 76981 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 76981
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.58 | 0.58 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Total RVU | 3.37 | 3.37 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 76981
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 | $129.48 | $129.48 | $121.09 - $154.67 | 29 |
| Florida | $114.13 | $114.13 | $109.19 - $118.37 | 3 |
| Georgia | $108.63 | $108.63 | $102.9 - $114.36 | 2 |
| Illinois | $110.75 | $110.75 | $105.32 - $116.21 | 4 |
| Michigan | $107.5 | $107.5 | $104.74 - $110.26 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $105.92 | $105.92 | $105.92 - $105.92 | 1 |
| New York | $124.58 | $124.58 | $107.57 - $132.31 | 5 |
| Ohio | $104.58 | $104.58 | $104.58 - $104.58 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $110.95 | $110.95 | $104.96 - $116.93 | 2 |
| Texas | $111.15 | $111.15 | $104.2 - $117.77 | 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 76981
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 76981 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0567T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 0689T | 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 |
| 76511 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76512 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76513 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76514 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76516 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76519 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Mutually exclusive procedures |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 76981
What does CPT code 76981 mean? +
CPT code 76981 represents: Use parenchyma. It's in the Radiology category with a global period of XXX.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 76981? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 76981 is $116.77. Rates range from $98.96 to $154.67 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 76981? +
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 76981? +
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 June 1, 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