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CPT code 70450: Head CT, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Noncontrast computed tomography of the head and brain, reported when a quick scan is needed to evaluate hemorrhage, stroke, trauma, or acute neurologic change.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality4.9M Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $113.44 for 70450 in the office.

$113.44Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+6.5%vs the national office rate ($106.55)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70450 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 70450 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 70450 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 70450 covers

This study images the skull, brain, and intracranial spaces with CT and no contrast material. A radiologic technologist acquires images, typically viewed in brain and bone windows, and a radiologist interprets them. Often performed in emergency departments, it helps evaluate suspected stroke before thrombolysis, head injury after a fall, sudden severe headache, altered mental status, seizures, or known intracranial bleeding.

Select 70450 when only noncontrast head images are obtained. Use 70460 for contrast-enhanced images only, or 70470 when head images are obtained both before and after contrast in the same session. The report should document the indication, technique, and findings, such as hemorrhage, mass effect, midline shift, or fracture. Modifier 26 identifies the radiologist's interpretation; modifier TC identifies the scanner, staff, and other technical work. Billing without either modifier represents the global service. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to eligible technical and professional components when multiple imaging studies are furnished, such as head and cervical spine CT after trauma.

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.

How Connecticut compares for 70450

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70450 runs from $94.74 in Arkansas to $142.62 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $113.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70450 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$113.44
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$121.07+$7.63
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$121.95+$8.51
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$112.76−$0.68
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$109.72−$3.72
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$121.94+$8.50
  7. Alaska · Alaska$124.50+$11.06

Other areas in Connecticut first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

70450 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$96.08—
ArkansasArkansas$94.74—
ArizonaArizona$103.88—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$113.67—
Chico, CACalifornia$113.47—
El Centro, CACalifornia$113.48—
Fresno, CACalifornia$113.47—
Hanford, CACalifornia$113.47—

70450 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$94.74

$128.05

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
70450 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$124.501
AL$96.081
AR$94.741
AZ$103.881
CA$113.47–$142.6229
CO$111.361
CT$113.441
DC$121.951
DE$105.561
FL$104.18–$112.763
GA$98.64–$108.262
GU$116.231
HI$116.231
IA$98.811
ID$99.351
IL$100.99–$110.364
IN$99.911
KS$98.181
KY$97.851
LA$97.63–$102.292
MA$110.66–$122.372
MD$107.58–$121.953
ME$99.65–$105.122
MI$100.12–$105.232
MN$107.371
MO$95.90–$102.873
MS$95.351
MT$106.541
NC$100.681
ND$105.361
NE$99.391
NH$109.451
NJ$114.92–$120.722
NM$100.581
NV$106.291
NY$102.11–$124.565
OH$99.881
OK$97.881
OR$105.65–$115.012
PA$100.14–$110.582
PR$107.361
RI$109.391
SC$100.411
SD$105.221
TN$98.631
TX$99.49–$110.838
UT$101.741
VA$104.65–$121.952
VI$107.361
VT$104.791
WA$110.50–$125.012
WI$101.941
WV$97.351
WY$106.031

See 70450 in every payment locality

How the 70450 rate is calculated

Each of 70450’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 · 70450

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.83

0.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.30

2.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.1900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$106.55

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,778

Code
70450
Physician work
0.83
Practice expense
2.30
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 70450 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.83× 1.0200.8466
Practice expense2.30× 1.0772.4771
Malpractice0.06× 1.2100.0726
Total RVUs3.3963
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$113.44

Office: (0.83 × 1.02 + 2.3 × 1.077 + 0.06 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $113.44

Open 70450 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70450

The CMS indicators that decide how 70450 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70450

Head CT, without contrast

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

70450 without 26 · national office

$106.55

Head CT, without contrast

70450-26 · Professional component

$39.41

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70450

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 70450
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Same family
70460Head CT, contrast onlyHead CT performed with contrast only.$158.02
70470Head CT, without and with contrastHead CT acquired both before and after contrast in one session.$184.38
Often billed with
70496Head CTA, intracranial arteriesCTA head may accompany a separate diagnostic noncontrast head CT during acute stroke evaluation.No office rate
70498Neck CTA, cervical arteriesCTA neck may accompany noncontrast head CT in stroke protocols.No office rate
72125Cervical spine CT, without contrastNoncontrast cervical spine CT is frequently paired with head CT after trauma.$139.10
70486Maxillofacial CT, without contrastMaxillofacial CT may be added when facial fractures are suspected alongside head injury.$136.82
Used instead
70551Brain MRI, without contrastNoncontrast brain MRI may be chosen when soft-tissue detail outweighs speed.$208.14

How 70450 has changed in Connecticut

70450 · Office / nonfacility

$113.44

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $112.98 to $113.44 (0.4%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $112.98changed to$113.44

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.85 changed to 0.83
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $116.63changed to$112.98

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.35

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $114.73changed to$116.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $120.73changed to$114.73

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.39 changed to 2.36
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $123.49changed to$120.73

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.37 changed to 2.39
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $126.84changed to$123.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.37

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $127.93changed to$126.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $128.17changed to$127.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.34
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $128.83changed to$128.17

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.37 changed to 2.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $128.89changed to$128.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $128.53changed to$128.89

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.37
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $128.15changed to$128.53

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.35 changed to 2.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $127.51changed to$128.15

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $136.93changed to$127.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.59 changed to 2.35
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $183.53changed to$136.93

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.02 changed to 2.59
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $183.53

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$113.44Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$113.44Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$113.44Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$113.44Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$112.98Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$112.98Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$112.98Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$112.98Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$116.63Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$116.63Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$116.63Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$116.63Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$114.73Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$120.73Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$120.73Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$120.73Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$120.73Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$123.49Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$123.49Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$123.49Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$123.49Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$126.84Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$126.84Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$126.84Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$126.84Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$127.93Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$127.93Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$127.93Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$127.93Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$128.17Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$128.17Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$128.17Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$128.17Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$128.83Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$128.83Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$128.83Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$128.83Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$128.89Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$128.89Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$128.89Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$128.89Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$128.53Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$128.53Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$128.53Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$128.53Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$128.15Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$128.15Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$127.51Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$127.51Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$136.93Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$183.53Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$183.53Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$183.53Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$183.53Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70450 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

70450 billing questions

Can 70450 and 70460 be billed together for the same session?

No. When noncontrast images are followed by contrast-enhanced head images in the same session, report 70470 instead of the two separate codes.

Which modifier does a hospital radiologist use?

A radiologist interpreting a scan performed on hospital equipment reports modifier 26 for the interpretation; the hospital bills for the technical service. An imaging center furnishing both the scan and interpretation may bill the global service without a component modifier.

In a stroke alert, can a noncontrast head CT be billed with CTA of the head and neck?

A separately performed, complete, medically necessary diagnostic head CT with its own interpretation may be reported with 70496 and 70498. Do not report 70450 for preliminary noncontrast images included in the CTA head acquisition.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect trauma scans like head and cervical spine CT?

It can when both scans are eligible under the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction. CMS ranks the technical and professional components separately and reduces the lower-ranked eligible components.

Should 70450 be used for a scan focused on the sinuses, orbits, or temporal bones?

No. For noncontrast studies, 70480 describes dedicated CT of the orbits, sella, posterior fossa, or ears; 70486 describes maxillofacial CT, including the sinuses. Use 70450 for a general head and brain study.

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
RVUs for 70450PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,778 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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