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CPT code 70542: MRI with contrast, orbit, face, or neck2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports an MRI examination of the orbit, face, or neck performed with contrast, such as imaging to evaluate a mass or inflammatory process.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality786 Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $249.84 for 70542 in the office.

$249.84Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−6.3%vs the national office rate ($266.54)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70542 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 70542 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 70542 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 70542 covers

This code covers MRI of the orbit, face, and/or neck when contrast is administered. A radiology technologist performs the scan, and a radiologist interprets the images. Examples include evaluating an orbital or facial soft-tissue abnormality or characterizing a neck mass. The code is for these anatomic regions, not a brain MRI or MR angiography examination.

Select this code when the documented examination uses contrast without also including a precontrast imaging portion; use the without-and-with-contrast code when both portions are performed. The order, imaging report, and contrast documentation should support the body region examined and the contrast protocol. The service may be billed globally, or its interpretation and technical work may be reported separately with modifier 26 or TC, respectively. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, CMS 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 New Mexico compares for 70542

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70542 runs from $235.13 in Arkansas to $363.50 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $249.84. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70542 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$249.84
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$305.92+$56.08
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$307.20+$57.36
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$280.77+$30.93
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$272.72+$22.88
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$306.10+$56.26
  7. Alaska · Alaska$304.93+$55.09

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

Every other payment area

70542 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$238.68—
ArkansasArkansas$235.13—
ArizonaArizona$259.50—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$286.27—
Chico, CACalifornia$285.90—
El Centro, CACalifornia$285.92—
Fresno, CACalifornia$285.90—
Hanford, CACalifornia$285.90—

70542 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$235.13

$324.70

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

View every state and territory as a table
70542 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$304.931
AL$238.681
AR$235.131
AZ$259.501
CA$285.90–$363.5029
CO$279.811
CT$284.541
DC$307.201
DE$263.911
FL$259.14–$280.773
GA$244.55–$270.802
GU$293.771
HI$293.771
IA$246.471
ID$247.801
IL$250.33–$275.424
IN$249.311
KS$244.551
KY$242.911
LA$242.22–$254.642
MA$277.77–$309.062
MD$269.29–$307.203
ME$248.34–$263.292
MI$248.74–$261.712
MN$270.051
MO$237.45–$256.463
MS$236.381
MT$266.531
NC$251.141
ND$264.361
NE$248.081
NH$274.691
NJ$288.33–$303.732
NM$249.841
NV$266.141
NY$254.94–$312.775
OH$248.291
OK$243.241
OR$264.61–$289.762
PA$249.11–$276.812
PR$268.801
RI$274.081
SC$250.021
SD$264.101
TN$245.721
TX$247.37–$278.418
UT$253.561
VA$261.89–$307.202
VI$268.801
VT$262.621
WA$277.48–$316.202
WI$255.171
WV$240.601
WY$265.581

See 70542 in every payment locality

How the 70542 rate is calculated

Each of 70542’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 · 70542

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.58

1.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.29

6.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.9800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$266.54

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,832

Code
70542
Physician work
1.58
Practice expense
6.29
Malpractice
0.11

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 70542 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.58× 1.0001.5800
Practice expense6.29× 0.9175.7679
Malpractice0.11× 1.2010.1321
Total RVUs7.4800
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$249.84

Office: (1.58 × 1 + 6.29 × 0.917 + 0.11 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $249.84

Open 70542 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70542

The CMS indicators that decide how 70542 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70542

MRI with contrast, orbit, face, or neck

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

70542 without 26 · national office

$266.54

MRI with contrast, orbit, face, or neck

70542-26 · Professional component

$74.48

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70542

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 70542
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
70540MRI, orbit, face, or neck without contrastMRI of the orbit, face, or neck without contrast.$210.34
70543Regional MRI, without and with contrastMRI of the orbit, face, or neck with both precontrast and postcontrast imaging.$316.29
Often billed with
70553Brain MRI, without and with contrastMay accompany this code when a separate brain MRI with and without contrast is performed.$298.37

How 70542 has changed in New Mexico

70542 · Office / nonfacility

$249.84

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $244.46 to $249.84 (2.2%).

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

    $244.46changed to$249.84

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.62 changed to 1.58
    • Practice expense RVU 6.41 changed to 6.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $256.19changed to$244.46

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.55 changed to 6.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $252.01changed to$256.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $263.35changed to$252.01

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.69 changed to 6.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $269.71changed to$263.35

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.76 changed to 6.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $284.23changed to$269.71

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.14 changed to 6.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $292.31changed to$284.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.99 changed to 7.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $300.98changed to$292.31

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.16 changed to 6.99
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $307.95changed to$300.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.38 changed to 7.16

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $322.08changed to$307.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.85 changed to 7.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $377.47changed to$322.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 9.57 changed to 7.85
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $378.50changed to$377.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.56 changed to 9.57

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $376.62changed to$378.50

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $388.18changed to$376.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.91 changed to 9.56
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $432.21changed to$388.18

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.98 changed to 9.91
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $432.21

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$249.84Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$249.84Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$249.84Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$249.84Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$244.46Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$244.46Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$244.46Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$244.46Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$256.19Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$256.19Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$256.19Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$256.19Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$252.01Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$263.35Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$263.35Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$263.35Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$263.35Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$269.71Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$269.71Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$269.71Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$269.71Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$284.23Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$284.23Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$284.23Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$284.23Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$292.31Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$292.31Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$292.31Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$292.31Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$300.98Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$300.98Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$300.98Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$300.98Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$307.95Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$307.95Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$307.95Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$307.95Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$322.08Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$322.08Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$322.08Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$322.08Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$377.47Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$377.47Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$377.47Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$377.47Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$378.50Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$378.50Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$376.62Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$376.62Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$388.18Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$388.18Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$388.18Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$388.18Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$432.21Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$432.21Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$432.21Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$432.21Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70542 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

70542 billing questions

How does this differ from 70540?

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

When should 70543 be reported instead?

Use 70543 when the MRI includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging. This code represents the contrast-only examination.

Can the interpretation and scan 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.

Does a multiple procedure reduction apply?

Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to the professional and technical components when applicable.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The record should identify the orbit, face, and/or neck examined, show that contrast was administered, and include the imaging 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
RVUs for 70542PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,832 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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