CPT code 70481: CT imaging, orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $206.93 for 70481 in the office.

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70481 nationwide

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

What 70481 covers

This service is a contrast-enhanced CT study directed to the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear. It may be used to evaluate findings such as suspected orbital infection or mass, or a lesion in the sella or posterior fossa. A technologist typically performs the acquisition in a hospital, imaging center, or equipped office; a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings.

Select this code when the documented study targets one of these regions and uses contrast. Use the corresponding noncontrast or combined-protocol code when the documented protocol differs, and choose a head or maxillofacial CT code when that is the intended anatomic study. Documentation should identify the region examined, clinical indication, contrast protocol, and interpretation. Report the global service without a component modifier, modifier 26 for the interpretation, or modifier TC for the technical service. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 70481

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70481 runs from $158.51 in Arkansas to $244.20 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $206.93. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

70481 rates by state

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

See 70481 in every payment locality

How the 70481 rate is calculated

Each of 70481’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 70481

The CMS indicators that decide how 70481 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70481

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

How 70481 has changed in Washington, DC area

Price 70481 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• Washington

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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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates