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CPT code 70460: Head CT, contrast only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports a CT examination of the head or brain performed with contrast when the clinical question calls for contrast-enhanced intracranial imaging.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality18.8K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $139.89 for 70460 in the office.

$139.89Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.7%vs the national office rate ($148.30)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70460 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 70460 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 70460 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 70460 covers

This service uses computed tomography to create cross-sectional images of the head or brain after contrast is administered. It is commonly performed in a hospital or outpatient imaging center, with technologists acquiring the study and a radiologist interpreting the images. Clinical questions may include evaluation of a suspected intracranial mass or infection when contrast-enhanced imaging is requested.

Report 70460 when the documented study covers the head or brain and uses contrast only. A report should support the body region examined, contrast protocol, and interpretation; a study performed both before and after contrast belongs to the corresponding combined-protocol code. The service may be billed globally, or its professional interpretation and technical imaging service may be reported separately with modifiers 26 and TC. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.

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 New Mexico compares for 70460

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70460 runs from $131.54 in Arkansas to $198.93 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $139.89. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70460 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$139.89
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$168.66+$28.77
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$169.95+$30.06
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$157.35+$17.46
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$152.99+$13.10
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$170.00+$30.11
  7. Alaska · Alaska$172.38+$32.49

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

Every other payment area

70460 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$133.43—
ArkansasArkansas$131.54—
ArizonaArizona$144.50—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$158.24—
Chico, CACalifornia$157.95—
El Centro, CACalifornia$157.97—
Fresno, CACalifornia$157.95—
Hanford, CACalifornia$157.95—

70460 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.

$131.54

$178.44

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

View every state and territory as a table
70460 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$172.381
AL$133.431
AR$131.541
AZ$144.501
CA$157.95–$198.9329
CO$155.031
CT$158.021
DC$169.951
DE$146.881
FL$145.04–$157.353
GA$137.15–$150.752
GU$161.911
HI$161.911
IA$137.261
ID$138.031
IL$140.55–$153.814
IN$138.831
KS$136.391
KY$136.001
LA$135.69–$142.302
MA$154.03–$170.532
MD$149.72–$169.953
ME$138.48–$146.212
MI$139.24–$146.562
MN$149.331
MO$133.24–$143.103
MS$132.431
MT$148.291
NC$139.941
ND$146.511
NE$138.071
NH$152.371
NJ$160.05–$168.192
NM$139.891
NV$147.911
NY$141.98–$173.745
OH$138.881
OK$136.011
OR$146.97–$160.172
PA$139.23–$153.992
PR$149.451
RI$152.261
SC$139.601
SD$146.301
TN$137.031
TX$138.32–$154.338
UT$141.481
VA$145.57–$169.952
VI$149.451
VT$145.731
WA$153.81–$174.232
WI$141.661
WV$135.381
WY$147.521

See 70460 in every payment locality

How the 70460 rate is calculated

Each of 70460’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 · 70460

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.10

1.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.25

3.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.4400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$148.30

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,781

Code
70460
Physician work
1.10
Practice expense
3.25
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 70460 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.10× 1.0001.1000
Practice expense3.25× 0.9172.9803
Malpractice0.09× 1.2010.1081
Total RVUs4.1883
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$139.89

Office: (1.1 × 1 + 3.25 × 0.917 + 0.09 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $139.89

Open 70460 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70460

The CMS indicators that decide how 70460 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70460

Head CT, contrast only

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

70460 without 26 · national office

$148.30

Head CT, contrast only

70460-26 · Professional component

$52.11

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70460

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

Codes related to 70460
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
70450Head CT, without contrastHead or brain CT without contrast.$100.58
70470Head CT, without and with contrastHead or brain CT performed both without and with contrast.$162.95
Used instead
70496Head CTA, intracranial arteriesCTA of the head for a vascular imaging question rather than routine contrast-enhanced brain imaging.No office rate
70471CTA, head and neck with contrastCTA of the head and neck when the requested study is vascular imaging.$354.13

How 70460 has changed in New Mexico

70460 · Office / nonfacility

$139.89

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $136.72 to $139.89 (2.3%).

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

    $136.72changed to$139.89

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.13 changed to 1.10
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $141.90changed to$136.72

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.36 changed to 3.32

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $139.59changed to$141.90

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $144.69changed to$139.59

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.39 changed to 3.36
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $147.26changed to$144.69

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.41 changed to 3.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $150.98changed to$147.26

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.49 changed to 3.41

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $154.81changed to$150.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.40 changed to 3.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $157.17changed to$154.81

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $157.33changed to$157.17

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.41 changed to 3.40

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $155.18changed to$157.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 3.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $153.60changed to$155.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.35 changed to 3.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $153.82changed to$153.60

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.34 changed to 3.35

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $153.06changed to$153.82

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $160.53changed to$153.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $204.41changed to$160.53

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.26 changed to 3.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $204.41

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$139.89Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$139.89Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$139.89Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$139.89Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$136.72Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$136.72Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$136.72Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$136.72Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$141.90Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$141.90Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$141.90Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$141.90Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$139.59Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$144.69Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$144.69Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$144.69Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$144.69Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$147.26Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$147.26Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$147.26Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$147.26Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$150.98Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$150.98Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$150.98Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$150.98Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$154.81Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$154.81Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$154.81Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$154.81Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$157.17Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$157.17Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$157.17Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$157.17Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$157.33Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$157.33Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$157.33Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$157.33Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$155.18Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$155.18Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$155.18Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$155.18Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$153.60Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$153.60Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$153.60Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$153.60Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$153.82Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$153.82Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$153.06Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$153.06Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$160.53Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$160.53Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$160.53Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$160.53Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$204.41Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$204.41Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$204.41Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$204.41Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70460 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

70460 billing questions

When should 70460 be chosen over 70450?

Use 70460 for a head or brain CT performed with contrast only. Use 70450 when the study is performed without contrast.

How does 70460 differ from 70470?

70460 represents a contrast-only study. Choose 70470 when the documented protocol includes images both without and with contrast.

Can the interpretation and scan 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.

Does the imaging multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.

Is 70460 the right code for a head CTA?

No. 70460 is a contrast-enhanced head or brain CT, not a CT angiography study. A vascular study should be coded to the applicable CTA service.

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 70460PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,781 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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