CPT Administration Code: 78227 | Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures

Code Overview

CPT® administration code details for 78227.

CPT Code Descriptor Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Gastrointestinal System

Code Category Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures

Route / Technique Intravenous Injection

Code Type Initial / Primary Code

About Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures – 78227

78227 is a CPT administration code for diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures. The description for 78227: Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Gastrointestinal System.

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78227 RVU Breakdown & Medicare Reimbursement

Based on the CY 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule. National payment amounts, before geographic (GPCI) adjustment.

Component	Facility	Non-Facility
Work RVU — physician work	0.88	0.88
Practice Expense RVU — staff, supplies, equipment	10.46	10.46
Malpractice RVU — professional liability	0.12	0.12
Total RVUs	11.46	11.46
Medicare Payment — Total RVUs × $33.4009 CF	$382.77	$382.77

CY 2026 Medicare Conversion Factor: $33.4009. Facility and non-facility practice-expense RVUs are equal for this code.

78227 Locality-Adjusted Rates

Medicare payment varies by locality via GPCI adjustment. Log in to view rates for all 100+ Medicare localities.

Medicare Locality	Facility	Non-Facility
National (unadjusted)	$382.77	$382.77
Los Angeles–Long Beach, CA
Manhattan, NY
Houston, TX
Miami, FL

Related Administration Codes

The nuclear imaging code family. Report one initial code per encounter; add-on codes are listed separately in addition to the primary procedure.

CPT Code	Description	Type
78227This page	Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures on the Gastrointestinal System	Initial
78811	Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging; limited area (eg, chest, head/neck)	Initial
78812	Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging; skull base to mid-thigh	Initial

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CPT Administration Codes?

CPT administration codes cover the work of giving a drug to a patient, such as an injection or an infusion. The drug itself is billed with its HCPCS J-code, and the administration is billed with a CPT code. Both go on the same claim. Learn More →

What is the Medicare Conversion Factor?

The conversion factor is the dollar amount CMS uses to turn a code's total RVUs into a Medicare payment. This page uses the CY 2026 conversion factor of $33.4009. CMS updates it every year in the Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

Facility vs. Non-Facility?

The non-facility rate applies in a physician office, where the practice pays for its own staff, supplies, and equipment, so the rate is usually higher. The facility rate applies in hospital outpatient departments and ASCs, where the facility bills for those costs separately.

How do I decide which administration code to use?

Pick the code that matches the type of drug, the route, and how long the administration takes. Start from the highest-ranking service you performed, then add the appropriate add-on codes for extra time or extra drugs. Manufacturer billing and coding guides often list suggested administration codes.

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CPT Administration Code: 78227 – Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures