CPT code 70544: Head MRA, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Utah
Reports magnetic resonance angiography of the intracranial vessels performed without contrast to evaluate suspected aneurysm, narrowing, or another vascular abnormality.
In Utah, Medicare pays $204.09 for 70544 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70544 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 70544 covers
This study uses magnetic resonance techniques to create angiographic images of blood vessels within the head without contrast material. It is commonly ordered to assess suspected intracranial aneurysm, vessel narrowing, or other vascular abnormalities. A technologist performs the scan in an imaging department or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings. The study evaluates the intracranial vessels, rather than brain tissue as the primary target.
Report 70544 when the head angiographic examination is performed without contrast; use the applicable contrast-specific code when contrast is administered. Documentation should identify the head vessels examined, the imaging technique, contrast status, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The global service includes both the technical work of image acquisition and the professional interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS 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.
How Utah compares for 70544
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70544 runs from $188.85 in Arkansas to $293.69 in San Benito County, CA. Utah pays $204.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Utah · this page$204.09
- Los Angeles, CA · California$246.79+$42.70
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$247.93+$43.84
- Miami, FL · Florida$226.94+$22.85
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$220.23+$16.14
- Manhattan, NY · New York$247.15+$43.06
- Alaska · Alaska$244.01+$39.92
Other areas in Utah first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $191.77 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $188.85 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $208.94 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $230.75 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $230.44 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $270.39 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $245.97 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $231.53 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $242.72 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $241.83 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $248.19 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $287.34 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $287.22 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $293.69 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $293.23 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $237.84 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $251.09 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $242.92 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $253.69 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $270.23 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $230.43 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $225.54 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $229.52 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $212.56 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $219.71 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $208.86 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $218.31 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $196.80 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $236.97 | — |
| IowaIowa | $198.10 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $199.22 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $204.37 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $201.65 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $222.27 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $200.47 | — |
| KansasKansas | $196.57 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $195.35 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $205.05 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $194.81 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $249.44 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $223.85 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $228.77 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $216.95 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $199.72 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $211.98 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $211.03 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $200.20 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $217.41 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $204.18 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $206.50 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $190.90 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $189.94 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $214.76 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $202.01 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $212.78 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $199.42 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $221.42 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $245.03 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $232.51 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $201.13 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $214.38 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $252.71 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $233.60 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $250.11 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $205.16 | — |
| OhioOhio | $199.80 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $195.58 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $233.67 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $213.09 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $223.18 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $200.45 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $216.61 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $220.84 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $201.17 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $212.55 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $197.54 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $224.46 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $199.02 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $212.79 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $213.96 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $212.28 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $213.30 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $215.13 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $205.65 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $210.86 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $216.61 | — |
| VermontVermont | $211.39 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $223.61 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $255.23 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $205.22 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $193.63 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $213.90 | — |
70544 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.
$188.85
$262.06
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $244.01 | 1 |
| AL | $191.77 | 1 |
| AR | $188.85 | 1 |
| AZ | $208.94 | 1 |
| CA | $230.43–$293.69 | 29 |
| CO | $225.54 | 1 |
| CT | $229.52 | 1 |
| DC | $247.93 | 1 |
| DE | $212.56 | 1 |
| FL | $208.86–$226.94 | 3 |
| GA | $196.80–$218.31 | 2 |
| GU | $236.97 | 1 |
| HI | $236.97 | 1 |
| IA | $198.10 | 1 |
| ID | $199.22 | 1 |
| IL | $201.65–$222.27 | 4 |
| IN | $200.47 | 1 |
| KS | $196.57 | 1 |
| KY | $195.35 | 1 |
| LA | $194.81–$205.05 | 2 |
| MA | $223.85–$249.44 | 2 |
| MD | $216.95–$247.93 | 3 |
| ME | $199.72–$211.98 | 2 |
| MI | $200.20–$211.03 | 2 |
| MN | $217.41 | 1 |
| MO | $190.90–$206.50 | 3 |
| MS | $189.94 | 1 |
| MT | $214.76 | 1 |
| NC | $202.01 | 1 |
| ND | $212.78 | 1 |
| NE | $199.42 | 1 |
| NH | $221.42 | 1 |
| NJ | $232.51–$245.03 | 2 |
| NM | $201.13 | 1 |
| NV | $214.38 | 1 |
| NY | $205.16–$252.71 | 5 |
| OH | $199.80 | 1 |
| OK | $195.58 | 1 |
| OR | $213.09–$233.67 | 2 |
| PA | $200.45–$223.18 | 2 |
| PR | $216.61 | 1 |
| RI | $220.84 | 1 |
| SC | $201.17 | 1 |
| SD | $212.55 | 1 |
| TN | $197.54 | 1 |
| TX | $199.02–$224.46 | 8 |
| UT | $204.09 | 1 |
| VA | $210.86–$247.93 | 2 |
| VI | $216.61 | 1 |
| VT | $211.39 | 1 |
| WA | $223.61–$255.23 | 2 |
| WI | $205.22 | 1 |
| WV | $193.63 | 1 |
| WY | $213.90 | 1 |
How the 70544 rate is calculated
Each of 70544’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 · 70544
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.17
1.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.16
5.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.10
0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.4300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$214.77
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Utah inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,838
- Code
- 70544
- Physician work
- 1.17
- Practice expense
- 5.16
- Malpractice
- 0.10
GPCI2026.csv
104
- Locality
- Utah
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.940
- Malpractice
- 0.898
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.17 | × 1.000 | 1.1700 |
| Practice expense | 5.16 | × 0.940 | 4.8504 |
| Malpractice | 0.10 | × 0.898 | 0.0898 |
| Total RVUs | 6.1102 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Utah$204.09
Office: (1.17 × 1 + 5.16 × 0.94 + 0.1 × 0.898) × $33.4009 = $204.09
Payment rules and modifiers for 70544
The CMS indicators that decide how 70544 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70544
Head MRA, without 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
70544 without 26 · national office
$214.77
Head MRA, without contrast
70544-26 · Professional component
$55.11
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 70544 has changed in Utah
70544 · Office / nonfacility
$204.09
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $200.57 to $204.09 (1.8%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$200.57changed to$204.09
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
- Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.16
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
- Practice expense GPCI 0.933 changed to 0.940
- Malpractice GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.898
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$209.20changed to$200.57
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.36 changed to 5.28
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$205.78changed to$209.20
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$213.71changed to$205.78
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 5.44 changed to 5.36
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.865 changed to 0.930
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$217.66changed to$213.71
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.46 changed to 5.44
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.865
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$226.92changed to$217.66
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.71 changed to 5.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$233.35changed to$226.92
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 5.62 changed to 5.71
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
- Practice expense GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.919
- Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.799
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$265.85changed to$233.35
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 6.55 changed to 5.62
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.923
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 0.982
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
No ratechanged to$265.85
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
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, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $204.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $204.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $204.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $204.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $200.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $200.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $200.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $200.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $209.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $209.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $209.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $209.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $205.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $213.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $213.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $213.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $213.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $217.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $217.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $217.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $217.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $226.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $226.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $226.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $226.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $233.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $233.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $233.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $233.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $265.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $265.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $265.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $265.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Utah rate applies
Utah is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 334 cities and communities in Utah. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Alpine
- Alta
- Altamont
- Alton
- Amalga
- American Fork
- Aneth
- Annabella
70544 billing questions
How does 70544 differ from 70545?
70544 describes head MRA performed without contrast. Use 70545 when contrast is used for the head angiographic study.
When is 70546 used instead?
70546 is for head MRA performed both without and with contrast. It is not the code for a study performed only without contrast.
Can a brain MRI be reported with 70544?
A separately performed MRI of the brain may be reported when it is a distinct study, such as a brain MRI without contrast reported with 70551. The documentation should support both examinations.
How should the professional and technical services be billed?
Report 70544 without a component modifier for the global service. Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service when those portions are billed separately.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect 70544?
Yes. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
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
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