CPT code 70486: Maxillofacial CT, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Michigan
CT imaging of the facial bones and related structures without contrast, commonly reported to evaluate paranasal sinus disease or facial trauma.
Medicare pays $119.95–$126.19 for 70486 in the office in Michigan, from Rest of Michigan to Detroit, MI. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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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.
Where 70486 pays more and less in Michigan
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | $126.19 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Michigan | $119.95 | Unavailable |
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.
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.
70486 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 70487Facial CTContrast-enhanced only
- Both examine the maxillofacial region, but 70487 is for imaging with contrast; 70486 is for imaging without contrast.
- 70488Maxillofacial CTWithout and with contrast
- 70488 represents a maxillofacial examination performed both without and with contrast. Use 70486 for an examination performed only without contrast.
- 70480Targeted CTWithout contrast
- 70480 is a noncontrast CT focused on the orbit, ear, or related region. Choose 70486 when the documented examination is of the maxillofacial region.
- 70450Head CTWithout contrast
- 70450 covers noncontrast CT of the head or brain. Use 70486 when the imaged anatomy is maxillofacial rather than the head or brain.
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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