CPT code 70492: CT neck, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
CT imaging of the soft tissues of the neck before and after contrast is reported when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced image sets are obtained.
Medicare pays $204.81–$229.00 for 70492 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX. 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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On this page 9 sections
What 70492 covers
This examination uses computed tomography to assess soft tissues in the neck, including structures such as cervical lymph nodes, salivary glands, and the pharynx or larynx. It may be ordered to evaluate a neck mass, enlarged nodes, or suspected deep neck infection. A radiologic technologist acquires the images, typically with intravenous contrast for the enhanced portion, and a radiologist interprets the study in an outpatient imaging center or hospital department.
Report this code when the examination includes images obtained both without and with contrast; a contrast-only study is coded differently. The order and report should support the clinical indication, the neck anatomy examined, both image sets, and the interpreting physician’s findings. Billing without a component modifier represents the global service. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the 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 70492 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$204.81 to $229.00
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $229.00 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | $204.81 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | $217.99 | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | $219.12 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | $217.53 | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | $218.48 | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | $220.31 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | $211.11 | Unavailable |
How the 70492 rate is calculated
Each of 70492’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 · 70492
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.58
1.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.90
4.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.10
0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.5800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$219.78
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70492
The CMS indicators that decide how 70492 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70492
CT neck, without and with 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
70492 without 26 · national office
$219.78
CT neck, without and with contrast
70492-26 · Professional component
$73.82
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70492 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 70490Neck CTWithout contrast
- 70490 is for a soft-tissue neck CT performed without contrast. Choose 70492 when the examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced image sets.
- 70491CT neckWith contrast
- 70491 describes a soft-tissue neck CT performed with contrast only. This code requires image acquisition both before and after contrast.
- 70498Neck CTACervical arteries
- 70498 is CT angiography of the neck, used for vascular imaging. This code is for routine soft-tissue neck CT with and without contrast.
70492 billing questions
When should this code be selected instead of a contrast-only neck CT?
Use this code when the neck CT includes image acquisition both before and after contrast. A study performed only with contrast is reported with 70491.
Can the interpretation and imaging service be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and modifier TC identifies the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
How does the multiple imaging reduction affect component billing?
When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.
Should the precontrast and postcontrast image sets be reported as separate units?
No. The code represents the neck CT examination with both image sets, rather than a separate service for each set.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
The record should support the clinical reason for the neck examination and show that images were obtained both without and with contrast, along with the interpreting physician’s findings.
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
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