CPT code 70496: Head CTA, intracranial arteries2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maryland
Report head CT angiography when contrast-enhanced CT images evaluate intracranial arteries, such as for suspected aneurysm, stenosis, or arterial occlusion.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 70496 in Maryland.
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 70496 covers
This service uses contrast-enhanced CT acquisition to depict arteries within the head. It is commonly performed in a hospital or imaging center when clinicians investigate a suspected aneurysm, arterial narrowing or blockage, or another cerebrovascular condition. A radiologist interprets the vascular images; the technical service includes the scanner, contrast administration, and imaging staff. Noncontrast images obtained as part of the CTA are included in the service.
Select this code for a head vascular study, rather than a routine CT examination of brain tissue. The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the area examined, the contrast-enhanced acquisition, and the radiologist’s interpretation. CMS allows separate professional (modifier 26) and technical (modifier TC) billing; billing without either modifier represents the global service. The 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.
Where 70496 pays more and less in Maryland
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area, MD | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Rest of Maryland | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Washington, DC area | Unavailable | Unavailable |
How the 70496 rate is calculated
Each of 70496’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 · 70496
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.71
1.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense6.37
6.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
8.2000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$273.89
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70496
The CMS indicators that decide how 70496 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70496
Head CTA, intracranial arteries
| 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
70496 without 26 · national office
$273.89
Head CTA, intracranial arteries
70496-26 · Professional component
$80.16
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70496 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 70450Head CTWithout contrast
- Use this code for CTA of intracranial vessels. Code 70450 is for routine noncontrast CT imaging of the head, not a vascular angiographic study.
- 70498Neck CTACervical arteries
- This code covers head CTA; 70498 covers neck CTA. Report the code matching the vascular territory examined.
- 70471CTAHead and neck with contrast
- Code 70471 represents a combined head-and-neck CTA service. Use 70496 for head CTA alone when the neck is not included in the examination.
- 70460Head CTContrast only
- Code 70460 is for routine head CT with contrast, whereas 70496 is a contrast-enhanced angiographic study of intracranial vessels.
70496 billing questions
How does this differ from a routine CT of the head?
This code represents CT angiography focused on intracranial arteries. A routine head CT evaluates brain and skull structures rather than providing the same vascular study.
Are noncontrast images separately reportable?
Noncontrast images obtained as part of the CTA are included in this service. A distinct head CT may be separately reported when it represents a separate diagnostic examination and is documented as such.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Report modifier 26 for the interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
How should a combined head-and-neck CTA be reported?
Use code 70471 for the combined head-and-neck CTA service. Code 70496 is for the head CTA service, not the combined examination.
What documentation supports this code?
Document the clinical indication, the head vascular territory imaged, contrast-enhanced acquisition, and the interpretation. The report should show that the service evaluated intracranial vessels, not only brain parenchyma.
How does the multiple procedure reduction affect split billing?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when it applies to the claim.
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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