CPT code 70540: MRI, orbit, face, or neck without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

MRI of the orbit, face, or neck without contrast evaluates soft-tissue structures when the ordered study does not use contrast material.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality9.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $222.24 for 70540 in the office.

$222.24Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.0%vs the national office rate ($224.45)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70540 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 70540 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 70540 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 70540 covers

This service is an MRI examination focused on the orbit, face, or neck, performed without contrast material. It may be ordered to evaluate soft-tissue concerns such as an orbital abnormality or a mass in the face or neck. A radiologic technologist performs the scan, and a physician, typically a radiologist, interprets the images. The exam may take place in a hospital, imaging center, or other setting with MRI equipment.

Report 70540 when the documented study covers the orbit, face, or neck and is performed without contrast. The order and imaging report should support the body region examined and the contrast protocol. The code represents the global service when billed without a component modifier; modifier 26 identifies the physician interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when the rule is triggered.

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 Delaware compares for 70540

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70540 runs from $197.99 in Arkansas to $306.30 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $222.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70540 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$222.24
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$257.71+$35.47
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$258.74+$36.50
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$236.32+$14.08
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$229.54+$7.30
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$257.77+$35.53
  7. Alaska · Alaska$256.68+$34.44

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

Every other payment area

70540 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$200.98—
ArkansasArkansas$197.99—
ArizonaArizona$218.52—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$241.14—
Chico, CACalifornia$240.84—
El Centro, CACalifornia$240.85—
Fresno, CACalifornia$240.84—
Hanford, CACalifornia$240.84—

70540 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.

$197.99

$273.57

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

View every state and territory as a table
70540 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$256.681
AL$200.981
AR$197.991
AZ$218.521
CA$240.84–$306.3029
CO$235.681
CT$239.621
DC$258.741
DE$222.241
FL$218.16–$236.323
GA$205.88–$228.032
GU$247.491
HI$247.491
IA$207.571
ID$208.681
IL$210.72–$231.874
IN$209.961
KS$205.941
KY$204.511
LA$203.93–$214.402
MA$233.95–$260.342
MD$226.78–$258.743
ME$209.13–$221.752
MI$209.41–$220.312
MN$227.481
MO$199.90–$215.953
MS$199.021
MT$224.451
NC$211.491
ND$222.671
NE$208.931
NH$231.351
NJ$242.83–$255.812
NM$210.341
NV$224.131
NY$214.69–$263.375
OH$209.051
OK$204.811
OR$222.85–$244.082
PA$209.75–$233.102
PR$226.361
RI$230.821
SC$210.521
SD$222.461
TN$206.921
TX$208.28–$234.498
UT$213.511
VA$220.56–$258.742
VI$226.361
VT$221.201
WA$233.71–$266.372
WI$214.921
WV$202.521
WY$223.671

See 70540 in every payment locality

How the 70540 rate is calculated

Each of 70540’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 · 70540

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.32

1.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.31

5.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.7200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$224.45

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,829

Code
70540
Physician work
1.32
Practice expense
5.31
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 70540 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0051.3266
Practice expense5.31× 0.9885.2463
Malpractice0.09× 0.8990.0809
Total RVUs6.6538
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$222.24

Office: (1.32 × 1.005 + 5.31 × 0.988 + 0.09 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $222.24

Open 70540 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70540

The CMS indicators that decide how 70540 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70540

MRI, orbit, face, or neck 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

70540 without 26 · national office

$224.45

MRI, orbit, face, or neck without contrast

70540-26 · Professional component

$61.79

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 70540 has changed in Delaware

70540 · Office / nonfacility

$222.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $221.07 to $222.24 (0.5%).

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

    $221.07changed to$222.24

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.32
    • Practice expense RVU 5.44 changed to 5.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $231.12changed to$221.07

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.54 changed to 5.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $227.35changed to$231.12

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $241.39changed to$227.35

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.64 changed to 5.54
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $251.43changed to$241.39

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.70 changed to 5.64
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $264.28changed to$251.43

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.02 changed to 5.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $269.74changed to$264.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.91 changed to 6.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $274.43changed to$269.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.04 changed to 5.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $281.47changed to$274.43

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.24 changed to 6.04

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$281.47

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$221.07Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$221.07Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$221.07Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$221.07Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$231.12Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$231.12Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$231.12Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$231.12Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$227.35Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$241.39Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$241.39Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$241.39Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$241.39Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$251.43Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$251.43Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$251.43Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$251.43Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$264.28Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$264.28Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$264.28Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$264.28Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$269.74Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$269.74Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$269.74Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$269.74Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$274.43Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$274.43Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$274.43Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$274.43Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$281.47Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$281.47Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$281.47Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$281.47Not 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
2013-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70540 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

70540 billing questions

How does 70540 differ from 70542?

70540 is for the orbit, face, or neck MRI performed without contrast. Use 70542 when the study is performed with contrast.

When is 70543 reported instead?

70543 describes an orbit, face, or neck MRI performed both without and with contrast. Follow the documented imaging protocol rather than choosing based only on the clinical indication.

Can the interpretation and technical service be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports 70540?

The order and report should identify the orbit, face, or neck as the imaged region and show that the examination was performed without contrast.

How does the multiple procedure reduction affect 70540?

When the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies, CMS applies it to the technical and professional components.

Should 70540 be used for a brain MRI?

No. Choose a brain MRI code when the imaged anatomy is the brain rather than the orbit, face, or neck; for example, 70551 is a brain MRI without contrast.

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 70540PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,829 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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