CPT code 70490: Neck CT, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Mississippi

CT of the neck’s soft tissues without contrast, reported when the diagnostic question calls for cross-sectional imaging without contrast material.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality57.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Mississippi, Medicare pays $134.31 for 70490 in the office.

$134.31Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−10.2%vs the national office rate ($149.64)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70490 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 70490 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Mississippi
  2. What 70490 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 70490 covers

This study uses computed tomography to produce cross-sectional images of the neck’s soft tissues without contrast material. Radiologists interpret examinations performed in hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers, and other diagnostic imaging settings. Clinical questions may involve a neck mass, cervical lymph nodes, or other soft-tissue findings; the ordering clinician selects the protocol based on the diagnostic question and the patient’s circumstances.

Report 70490 when the examination covers the soft tissues of the neck and is performed without contrast. The order and imaging report should support the anatomic area examined and the noncontrast technique. Use 70491 for a neck soft-tissue CT with contrast, or 70492 when both without- and with-contrast imaging is performed. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC the equipment and staff, and no modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, the imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical 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 Mississippi compares for 70490

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70490 runs from $133.51 in Arkansas to $199.49 in San Benito County, CA. Mississippi pays $134.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70490 in Mississippi vs other payment areas
  1. Mississippi · this page$134.31
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$169.70+$35.39
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$170.92+$36.61
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$158.04+$23.73
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$153.91+$19.60
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$170.92+$36.61
  7. Alaska · Alaska$176.15+$41.84

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

Every other payment area

70490 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$135.32—
ArkansasArkansas$133.51—
ArizonaArizona$145.99—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$159.48—
Chico, CACalifornia$159.21—
El Centro, CACalifornia$159.22—
Fresno, CACalifornia$159.21—
Hanford, CACalifornia$159.21—

70490 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.

$133.51

$179.35

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

View every state and territory as a table
70490 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$176.151
AL$135.321
AR$133.511
AZ$145.991
CA$159.21–$199.4929
CO$156.291
CT$159.131
DC$170.921
DE$148.311
FL$146.35–$158.043
GA$138.79–$151.982
GU$162.931
HI$162.931
IA$139.081
ID$139.811
IL$141.99–$154.834
IN$140.581
KS$138.211
KY$137.731
LA$137.42–$143.792
MA$155.34–$171.472
MD$151.10–$170.923
ME$140.21–$147.702
MI$140.83–$147.792
MN$150.811
MO$135.05–$144.593
MS$134.311
MT$149.631
NC$141.621
ND$148.051
NE$139.871
NH$153.621
NJ$161.24–$169.282
NM$141.441
NV$149.301
NY$143.58–$174.485
OH$140.501
OK$137.781
OR$148.42–$161.302
PA$140.86–$155.222
PR$150.751
RI$153.611
SC$141.241
SD$147.861
TN$138.821
TX$139.98–$155.528
UT$143.051
VA$147.06–$170.922
VI$150.751
VT$147.261
WA$155.12–$175.122
WI$143.371
WV$137.001
WY$148.941

See 70490 in every payment locality

How the 70490 rate is calculated

Each of 70490’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 · 70490

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.25

1.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.15

3.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.08

0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.4800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$149.64

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

The exact Mississippi inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,814

Code
70490
Physician work
1.25
Practice expense
3.15
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

67

Locality
Mississippi
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.861
Malpractice
0.739
Office calculation for 70490 in Mississippi
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.25× 1.0001.2500
Practice expense3.15× 0.8612.7121
Malpractice0.08× 0.7390.0591
Total RVUs4.0213
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Mississippi$134.31

Office: (1.25 × 1 + 3.15 × 0.861 + 0.08 × 0.739) × $33.4009 = $134.31

Open 70490 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70490

The CMS indicators that decide how 70490 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70490

Neck CT, without 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

70490 without 26 · national office

$149.64

Neck CT, without contrast

70490-26 · Professional component

$59.12

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 70490 has changed in Mississippi

70490 · Office / nonfacility

$134.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.43 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $131.88 to $134.31 (1.8%).

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

    $131.88changed to$134.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.28 changed to 1.25
    • Practice expense RVU 3.22 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.852 changed to 0.861
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.739

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $136.83changed to$131.88

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.25 changed to 3.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $134.59changed to$136.83

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $140.05changed to$134.59

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.30 changed to 3.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.847 changed to 0.852
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.720 changed to 0.768
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $142.31changed to$140.05

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.842 changed to 0.847
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.671 changed to 0.720

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $145.37changed to$142.31

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 3.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $148.84changed to$145.37

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.28 changed to 3.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.856 changed to 0.842
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.521 changed to 0.671

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $149.72changed to$148.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 3.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.856
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.370 changed to 0.521

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $153.63changed to$149.72

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.40 changed to 3.27

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$153.63

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $200.90changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $200.90

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$134.31Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$134.31Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$134.31Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$134.31Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$131.88Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$131.88Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$131.88Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$131.88Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$136.83Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$136.83Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$136.83Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$136.83Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$134.59Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$140.05Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$140.05Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$140.05Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$140.05Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$142.31Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$142.31Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$142.31Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$142.31Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$145.37Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$145.37Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$145.37Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$145.37Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$148.84Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$148.84Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$148.84Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$148.84Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$149.72Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$149.72Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$149.72Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$149.72Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$153.63Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$153.63Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$153.63Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$153.63Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$200.90Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$200.90Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$200.90Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$200.90Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70490 for an earlier date of service

Where the Mississippi rate applies

Mississippi is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 427 cities and communities in Mississippi. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Aberdeen
  • Ackerman
  • Agricola
  • Alcorn State University
  • Algoma
  • Alligator
  • Amory

Browse all communities in Mississippi

70490 billing questions

When should 70490 be chosen over 70491?

Use 70490 for a neck soft-tissue CT performed without contrast. Use 70491 when contrast is administered for the examination.

How does 70490 differ from 70492?

70492 represents a neck soft-tissue CT performed both without and with contrast. 70490 represents the noncontrast examination only.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. Billing without a modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 70490?

The order and imaging report should identify the neck soft tissues as the imaged area and support that the examination was performed without contrast.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect this code?

When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, the CMS imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to the professional and technical components of 70490.

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 70490PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,814 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MississippiGPCI2026.csv, line 67 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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