CPT code 70486: Maxillofacial CT, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
CT imaging of the facial bones and related structures without contrast, commonly reported to evaluate paranasal sinus disease or facial trauma.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $147.52 for 70486 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70486 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 70486 covers
This service uses computed tomography to image the facial bones and related structures without contrast material. Common indications include evaluation of the paranasal sinuses and assessment of facial injury. A radiology technologist typically acquires the images in an imaging department or other equipped setting; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them and prepares a report.
Select this code when the documented examination covers the maxillofacial region and is performed without contrast. The order and report should support the clinical indication, anatomic coverage, and contrast protocol. The global service includes both image acquisition and interpretation when billed without a component modifier. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, the CMS 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 Washington, DC area compares for 70486
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70486 runs from $113.39 in Arkansas to $173.93 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $147.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$147.52
- Los Angeles, CA · California$146.75−$0.77
- Miami, FL · Florida$135.36−$12.16
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$131.54−$15.98
- Manhattan, NY · New York$147.17−$0.35
- Alaska · Alaska$147.63+$0.11
- Alabama · Alabama$115.07−$32.45
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $113.39 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $124.92 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $137.46 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $137.27 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $160.35 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $146.21 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $137.92 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $144.39 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $143.86 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $147.49 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $170.21 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $170.14 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $173.93 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $173.65 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $149.10 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $144.46 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $150.63 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $160.26 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $137.26 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $134.46 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $136.82 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $127.01 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $131.16 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $124.93 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $130.32 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $118.00 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $140.91 | — |
| IowaIowa | $118.68 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $119.32 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $122.41 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $120.82 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $132.66 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $120.04 | — |
| KansasKansas | $117.81 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $117.15 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $122.72 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $116.84 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $148.29 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $133.52 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $136.37 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $129.55 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $119.62 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $126.63 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $126.19 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $119.95 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $129.71 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $122.20 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $123.53 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $114.61 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $114.04 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $128.26 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $120.93 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $127.07 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $119.43 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $132.05 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $145.91 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $138.63 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $120.48 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $128.02 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $150.37 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $139.29 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $148.85 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $122.74 | — |
| OhioOhio | $119.70 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $117.27 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $139.13 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $127.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $133.19 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $120.07 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $129.31 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $131.82 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $120.47 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $126.93 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $118.37 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $133.80 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $119.25 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $127.15 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $127.83 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $126.87 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $127.45 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $128.55 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $123.04 | — |
| UtahUtah | $122.14 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $126.00 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $129.31 | — |
| VermontVermont | $126.28 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $133.36 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $151.65 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $122.73 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $116.22 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $127.74 | — |
70486 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.
$113.39
$155.60
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $147.63 | 1 |
| AL | $115.07 | 1 |
| AR | $113.39 | 1 |
| AZ | $124.92 | 1 |
| CA | $137.26–$173.93 | 29 |
| CO | $134.46 | 1 |
| CT | $136.82 | 1 |
| DC | $147.52 | 1 |
| DE | $127.01 | 1 |
| FL | $124.93–$135.36 | 3 |
| GA | $118.00–$130.32 | 2 |
| GU | $140.91 | 1 |
| HI | $140.91 | 1 |
| IA | $118.68 | 1 |
| ID | $119.32 | 1 |
| IL | $120.82–$132.66 | 4 |
| IN | $120.04 | 1 |
| KS | $117.81 | 1 |
| KY | $117.15 | 1 |
| LA | $116.84–$122.72 | 2 |
| MA | $133.52–$148.29 | 2 |
| MD | $129.55–$147.52 | 3 |
| ME | $119.62–$126.63 | 2 |
| MI | $119.95–$126.19 | 2 |
| MN | $129.71 | 1 |
| MO | $114.61–$123.53 | 3 |
| MS | $114.04 | 1 |
| MT | $128.26 | 1 |
| NC | $120.93 | 1 |
| ND | $127.07 | 1 |
| NE | $119.43 | 1 |
| NH | $132.05 | 1 |
| NJ | $138.63–$145.91 | 2 |
| NM | $120.48 | 1 |
| NV | $128.02 | 1 |
| NY | $122.74–$150.37 | 5 |
| OH | $119.70 | 1 |
| OK | $117.27 | 1 |
| OR | $127.27–$139.13 | 2 |
| PA | $120.07–$133.19 | 2 |
| PR | $129.31 | 1 |
| RI | $131.82 | 1 |
| SC | $120.47 | 1 |
| SD | $126.93 | 1 |
| TN | $118.37 | 1 |
| TX | $119.25–$133.80 | 8 |
| UT | $122.14 | 1 |
| VA | $126.00–$147.52 | 2 |
| VI | $129.31 | 1 |
| VT | $126.28 | 1 |
| WA | $133.36–$151.65 | 2 |
| WI | $122.73 | 1 |
| WV | $116.22 | 1 |
| WY | $127.74 | 1 |
How the 70486 rate is calculated
Each of 70486’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 · 70486
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.83
0.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.95
2.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.8400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$128.26
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,805
- Code
- 70486
- Physician work
- 0.83
- Practice expense
- 2.95
- Malpractice
- 0.06
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.83 | × 1.054 | 0.8748 |
| Practice expense | 2.95 | × 1.178 | 3.4751 |
| Malpractice | 0.06 | × 1.113 | 0.0668 |
| Total RVUs | 4.4167 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Washington, DC area$147.52
Office: (0.83 × 1.054 + 2.95 × 1.178 + 0.06 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $147.52
Payment rules and modifiers for 70486
The CMS indicators that decide how 70486 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70486
Maxillofacial CT, without contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
70486 without 26 · national office
$128.26
Maxillofacial CT, without contrast
70486-26 · Professional component
$39.75
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 70486 has changed in Washington, DC area
70486 · Office / nonfacility
$147.52
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.90 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $146.62 to $147.52 (0.6%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$146.62changed to$147.52
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.85 changed to 0.83
- Practice expense RVU 3.00 changed to 2.95
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
- Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$152.47changed to$146.62
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 3.00
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$149.99changed to$152.47
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$159.21changed to$149.99
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.08 changed to 3.04
- Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
- Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
- Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$164.13changed to$159.21
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.06 changed to 3.08
- Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
- Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
- Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$168.51changed to$164.13
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.13 changed to 3.06
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$167.58changed to$168.51
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.01 changed to 3.13
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
- Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$165.45changed to$167.58
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
- Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$166.14changed to$165.45
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.03 changed to 3.01
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$165.31changed to$166.14
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 3.02 changed to 3.03
- Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
- Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$165.46changed to$165.31
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 3.03 changed to 3.02
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
- Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$165.17changed to$165.46
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 3.02 changed to 3.03
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$164.34changed to$165.17
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
No ratechanged to$164.34
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $147.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $147.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $147.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $147.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $146.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $146.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $146.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $146.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $152.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $152.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $152.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $152.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $149.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $159.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $159.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $159.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $159.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $164.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $164.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $164.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $164.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $168.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $168.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $168.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $168.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $167.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $167.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $167.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $167.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $165.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $165.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $165.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $165.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $166.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $166.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $166.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $166.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $165.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $165.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $165.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $165.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $165.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $165.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $165.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $165.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $165.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $165.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $164.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $164.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
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
70486 billing questions
How does this differ from 70487?
70486 describes maxillofacial CT without contrast. Use 70487 when the maxillofacial examination is performed with contrast.
When is 70488 appropriate instead?
70488 is for a maxillofacial CT performed both without and with contrast. This code is for an examination without contrast.
What do modifiers 26 and TC identify?
Modifier 26 reports the physician’s professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect both components?
Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the maxillofacial anatomy examined, and that the study was performed without contrast. The imaging report should document the findings and interpretation.
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
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