CPT code 70482: CT imaging, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports CT imaging of the orbit, ear region, sella, or posterior fossa when the examination includes both noncontrast and postcontrast acquisitions.

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

In Colorado, Medicare pays $219.47 for 70482 in the office.

$219.47Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+5.0%vs the national office rate ($209.09)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70482 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 70482 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 70482 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 70482 covers

This service is a CT examination of the orbits, temporal bones or ear region, sella, or posterior fossa performed first without contrast and then after contrast administration. A radiology technologist typically obtains the images in an imaging department or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the study. Both phases provide images of the selected anatomy before and after contrast.

Select this code when documentation supports both noncontrast and postcontrast acquisitions of a covered region. A noncontrast-only study is reported with 70480, while a contrast-only study is reported with 70481. The record should identify the anatomy examined, the acquisition phases, and the interpretation. Medicare recognizes modifier 26 for the professional interpretation, modifier TC for the technical service, or reporting the global service without a component modifier. Diagnostic imaging 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 Colorado compares for 70482

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70482 runs from $184.41 in Arkansas to $285.03 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $219.47. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70482 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$219.47
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$239.91+$20.44
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$240.98+$21.51
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$220.44+$0.97
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$214.10−$5.37
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$240.18+$20.71
  7. Alaska · Alaska$239.15+$19.68

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

Every other payment area

70482 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$187.20—
ArkansasArkansas$184.41—
ArizonaArizona$203.55—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$224.51—
Chico, CACalifornia$224.21—
El Centro, CACalifornia$224.22—
Fresno, CACalifornia$224.21—
Hanford, CACalifornia$224.21—

70482 rates by state

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

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.

$184.41

$254.62

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

View every state and territory as a table
70482 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$239.151
AL$187.201
AR$184.411
AZ$203.551
CA$224.21–$285.0329
CO$219.471
CT$223.231
DC$240.981
DE$207.021
FL$203.36–$220.443
GA$191.88–$212.452
GU$230.381
HI$230.381
IA$193.281
ID$194.331
IL$196.46–$216.154
IN$195.521
KS$191.791
KY$190.561
LA$190.03–$199.782
MA$217.87–$242.402
MD$211.23–$240.983
ME$194.78–$206.502
MI$195.15–$205.392
MN$211.751
MO$186.29–$201.193
MS$185.421
MT$209.081
NC$196.971
ND$207.301
NE$194.541
NH$215.471
NJ$226.19–$238.252
NM$196.031
NV$208.751
NY$199.96–$245.445
OH$194.791
OK$190.801
OR$207.54–$227.262
PA$195.42–$217.172
PR$210.861
RI$214.991
SC$196.121
SD$207.091
TN$192.711
TX$194.06–$218.388
UT$198.901
VA$205.41–$240.982
VI$210.861
VT$205.961
WA$217.64–$247.992
WI$200.091
WV$188.811
WY$208.311

See 70482 in every payment locality

How the 70482 rate is calculated

Each of 70482’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 · 70482

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.24

1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.93

4.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.2600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$209.09

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,802

Code
70482
Physician work
1.24
Practice expense
4.93
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 70482 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.24× 1.0121.2549
Practice expense4.93× 1.0645.2455
Malpractice0.09× 0.7810.0703
Total RVUs6.5707
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$219.47

Office: (1.24 × 1.012 + 4.93 × 1.064 + 0.09 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $219.47

Open 70482 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70482

The CMS indicators that decide how 70482 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70482

CT imaging, 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

70482 without 26 · national office

$209.09

CT imaging, without and with contrast

70482-26 · Professional component

$58.12

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 70482 has changed in Colorado

70482 · Office / nonfacility

$219.47

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.25 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $215.22 to $219.47 (2.0%).

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

    $215.22changed to$219.47

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.27 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense RVU 5.04 changed to 4.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $224.91changed to$215.22

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.13 changed to 5.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $221.24changed to$224.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $230.71changed to$221.24

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.20 changed to 5.13
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $236.60changed to$230.71

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.25 changed to 5.20
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $244.24changed to$236.60

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.42 changed to 5.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    No ratechanged to$244.24

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $310.65changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D, RVU20A, RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $308.67changed to$310.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.94 changed to 6.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  10. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $306.67changed to$308.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.93 changed to 6.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  11. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $306.63changed to$306.67

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.92 changed to 6.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  12. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $305.11changed to$306.63

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  13. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $328.81changed to$305.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.58 changed to 6.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  14. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $361.83changed to$328.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 9.07 changed to 7.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  15. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $361.83

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$219.47Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$219.47Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$219.47Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$219.47Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$215.22Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$215.22Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$215.22Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$215.22Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$224.91Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$224.91Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$224.91Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$224.91Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$221.24Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$230.71Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$230.71Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$230.71Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$230.71Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$236.60Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$236.60Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$236.60Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$236.60Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$244.24Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$244.24Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$244.24Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$244.24Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$310.65Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$310.65Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$310.65Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$310.65Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$308.67Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$308.67Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$308.67Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$308.67Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$306.67Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$306.67Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$306.67Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$306.67Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$306.63Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$306.63Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$305.11Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$305.11Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$328.81Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$328.81Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$328.81Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$328.81Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$361.83Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$361.83Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$361.83Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$361.83Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70482 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

70482 billing questions

How does 70482 differ from 70480 and 70481?

70482 is for an examination with both noncontrast and postcontrast acquisitions. Use 70480 for noncontrast imaging only and 70481 for contrast imaging only.

Can the professional and technical portions be reported separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Reporting without either component modifier represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

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

What documentation supports reporting 70482?

Document the orbit, ear region, sella, or posterior fossa examined and show that both noncontrast and postcontrast image acquisitions were performed. The interpretation should support the professional service when billed.

When should a head CT code be used instead?

Use a head CT code such as 70470 when the examination targets the brain rather than the orbit, ear region, sella, or posterior fossa covered by this code.

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 70482PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,802 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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