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CPT code 70470: Head CT, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports a head or brain CT with image acquisition both before and after contrast, commonly used to evaluate findings requiring both phases.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality59.4K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $162.95 for 70470 in the office.

$162.95Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.8%vs the national office rate ($173.02)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70470 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 70470 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 70470 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 70470 covers

This examination acquires CT images of the head or brain before and after intravenous contrast. Radiologists interpret the images, while CT technologists perform the scan under the ordering clinician’s direction. Common clinical situations include evaluation of a suspected intracranial mass or infection when both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images are requested. The service is performed in hospital imaging departments and outpatient diagnostic imaging centers.

Report this code when the study includes both the noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases; use a single code for the complete examination rather than separate codes for each phase. The order and imaging report should support the head or brain anatomy examined and the acquisition of both phases. The service may be billed globally, or the interpretation and the equipment-and-staff portion may be billed separately with modifiers 26 and TC. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, Medicare’s multiple-procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional 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 70470

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70470 runs from $153.43 in Arkansas to $233.02 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $162.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70470 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$162.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$197.24+$34.29
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$198.48+$35.53
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$182.89+$19.94
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$177.84+$14.89
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$198.26+$35.31
  7. Alaska · Alaska$200.73+$37.78

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

Every other payment area

70470 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$155.64—
ArkansasArkansas$153.43—
ArizonaArizona$168.60—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$184.97—
Chico, CACalifornia$184.67—
El Centro, CACalifornia$184.69—
Fresno, CACalifornia$184.67—
Hanford, CACalifornia$184.67—

70470 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.

$153.43

$208.85

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

View every state and territory as a table
70470 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$200.731
AL$155.641
AR$153.431
AZ$168.601
CA$184.67–$233.0229
CO$181.091
CT$184.381
DC$198.481
DE$171.381
FL$168.87–$182.893
GA$159.71–$175.802
GU$189.371
HI$189.371
IA$160.271
ID$161.141
IL$163.52–$179.104
IN$162.081
KS$159.181
KY$158.491
LA$158.10–$165.842
MA$179.88–$199.332
MD$174.73–$198.483
ME$161.59–$170.752
MI$162.22–$170.582
MN$174.631
MO$155.19–$166.853
MS$154.361
MT$173.011
NC$163.321
ND$171.231
NE$161.251
NH$177.911
NJ$186.80–$196.412
NM$162.951
NV$172.641
NY$165.69–$202.555
OH$161.851
OK$158.591
OR$171.61–$187.182
PA$162.31–$179.612
PR$174.391
RI$177.721
SC$162.791
SD$171.021
TN$159.921
TX$161.23–$180.228
UT$164.991
VA$169.95–$198.482
VI$174.391
VT$170.251
WA$179.65–$203.732
WI$165.541
WV$157.471
WY$172.241

See 70470 in every payment locality

How the 70470 rate is calculated

Each of 70470’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 · 70470

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.24

1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.85

3.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.1800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$173.02

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

7,784

Code
70470
Physician work
1.24
Practice expense
3.85
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 70470 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.24× 1.0001.2400
Practice expense3.85× 0.9173.5305
Malpractice0.09× 1.2010.1081
Total RVUs4.8785
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$162.95

Office: (1.24 × 1 + 3.85 × 0.917 + 0.09 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $162.95

Open 70470 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70470

The CMS indicators that decide how 70470 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70470

Head CT, without and with 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

70470 without 26 · national office

$173.02

Head CT, without and with contrast

70470-26 · Professional component

$58.45

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70470

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

Codes related to 70470
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
70450Head CT, without contrastHead CT without contrast; use when the examination has no contrast-enhanced phase.$100.58
70460Head CT, contrast onlyHead CT with contrast only; use when no noncontrast phase is acquired.$139.89
Used instead
70496Head CTA, intracranial arteriesHead CT angiography for vascular imaging rather than routine brain CT.No office rate

How 70470 has changed in New Mexico

70470 · Office / nonfacility

$162.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $159.54 to $162.95 (2.1%).

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

    $159.54changed to$162.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.27 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense RVU 3.93 changed to 3.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 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

    $166.08changed to$159.54

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.98 changed to 3.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $163.37changed to$166.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $170.09changed to$163.37

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 3.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $173.07changed to$170.09

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.06 changed to 4.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • 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

    $177.13changed to$173.07

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.17 changed to 4.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $181.27changed to$177.13

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 4.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • 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

    $183.46changed to$181.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • 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

    $184.25changed to$183.46

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 4.04

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $183.42changed to$184.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • 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

    $182.06changed to$183.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.05 changed to 4.07
    • 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

    $181.64changed to$182.06

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.03 changed to 4.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $180.73changed to$181.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $192.62changed to$180.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.38 changed to 4.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 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

    $207.05changed to$192.62

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 5.17 changed to 4.38
    • 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: $207.05

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$162.95Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$162.95Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$162.95Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$162.95Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$159.54Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$159.54Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$159.54Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$159.54Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$166.08Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$166.08Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$166.08Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$166.08Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$163.37Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$170.09Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$170.09Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$170.09Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$170.09Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$173.07Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$173.07Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$173.07Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$173.07Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$177.13Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$177.13Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$177.13Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$177.13Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$181.27Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$181.27Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$181.27Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$181.27Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$183.46Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$183.46Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$183.46Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$183.46Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$184.25Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$184.25Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$184.25Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$184.25Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$183.42Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$183.42Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$183.42Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$183.42Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$182.06Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$182.06Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$182.06Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$182.06Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$181.64Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$181.64Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$180.73Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$180.73Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$192.62Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$192.62Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$192.62Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$192.62Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$207.05Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$207.05Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$207.05Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$207.05Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70470 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

70470 billing questions

When should this code be chosen instead of 70450 or 70460?

Use this code when the head CT includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced image acquisitions. Code 70450 describes a noncontrast study, while 70460 describes a study with contrast only.

Should the two phases be reported as separate CT services?

No. Report one unit of this code for the complete head CT with both phases, rather than separate codes for the precontrast and postcontrast acquisitions.

How are the interpretation and scan acquisition billed?

The global service is billed without a component modifier. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion, including equipment and staff.

Can a professional or technical component be subject to a multiple-procedure reduction?

Yes. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the Medicare multiple-procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.

What documentation supports reporting both contrast phases?

The order and imaging report should identify the head or brain study and show that images were acquired both before and after contrast. A contrast-enhanced phase alone does not support this code.

Is this the appropriate code for a head CTA?

No. This code describes a routine head CT with and without contrast; code 70496 is for head CT angiography when vascular imaging is performed.

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 70470PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,784 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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