CPT code 70545: Head MR angiography, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia

Reports MR angiography of the head using contrast to evaluate intracranial arteries, such as when assessing suspected aneurysm, stenosis, or vascular malformation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Virginia, Medicare pays $222.35 for 70545 in the office.

$222.35Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.8%vs the national office rate ($226.46)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70545 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 70545 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Virginia
  2. What 70545 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 70545 covers

This service uses magnetic resonance imaging techniques and contrast to visualize arteries within the head. It may be performed to investigate suspected intracranial aneurysm, narrowing, or vascular malformation, or to assess known vascular disease. Imaging is typically performed in a hospital or outpatient imaging center, with a radiologist interpreting the study. It focuses on intracranial vessels rather than brain tissue or the arteries of the neck.

Choose this code when the documented head angiographic study uses contrast; use the corresponding head MRA code for a study without contrast or for imaging performed both without and with contrast. The order, imaging protocol, contrast documentation, and radiologist’s report should support the anatomy and contrast approach. The service has professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier for the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, CMS’s multiple procedure reduction applies to both 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 Virginia compares for 70545

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70545 runs from $198.89 in Arkansas to $310.55 in San Benito County, CA. Virginia pays $222.35. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70545 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$222.35
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$260.62+$38.27
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$261.70+$39.35
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$239.11+$16.76
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$231.98+$9.63
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$260.73+$38.38
  7. Alaska · Alaska$256.46+$34.11

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

Every other payment area

70545 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$202.00—
ArkansasArkansas$198.89—
ArizonaArizona$220.27—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$243.56—
Chico, CACalifornia$243.24—
El Centro, CACalifornia$243.26—
Fresno, CACalifornia$243.24—
Hanford, CACalifornia$243.24—

70545 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.

$198.89

$276.90

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

View every state and territory as a table
70545 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$256.461
AL$202.001
AR$198.891
AZ$220.271
CA$243.24–$310.5529
CO$237.971
CT$242.111
DC$261.701
DE$224.111
FL$220.04–$239.113
GA$207.22–$230.192
GU$250.271
HI$250.271
IA$208.801
ID$209.971
IL$212.33–$234.284
IN$211.311
KS$207.131
KY$205.751
LA$205.15–$216.052
MA$236.16–$263.402
MD$228.78–$261.703
ME$210.47–$223.572
MI$210.88–$222.312
MN$229.441
MO$200.97–$217.633
MS$200.001
MT$226.451
NC$212.921
ND$224.471
NE$210.211
NH$233.591
NJ$245.28–$258.592
NM$211.851
NV$226.081
NY$216.26–$266.605
OH$210.471
OK$206.021
OR$224.73–$246.662
PA$211.18–$235.352
PR$228.431
RI$232.911
SC$211.971
SD$224.241
TN$208.161
TX$209.66–$236.838
UT$215.081
VA$222.35–$261.702
VI$228.431
VT$222.971
WA$235.92–$269.582
WI$216.421
WV$203.791
WY$225.591

See 70545 in every payment locality

How the 70545 rate is calculated

Each of 70545’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 · 70545

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.17

1.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.51

5.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.7800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$226.46

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

The exact Virginia inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,841

Code
70545
Physician work
1.17
Practice expense
5.51
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 70545 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.17× 1.0001.1700
Practice expense5.51× 0.9835.4163
Malpractice0.10× 0.7060.0706
Total RVUs6.6569
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$222.35

Office: (1.17 × 1 + 5.51 × 0.983 + 0.1 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $222.35

Open 70545 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70545

The CMS indicators that decide how 70545 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70545

Head MR angiography, with 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

70545 without 26 · national office

$226.46

Head MR angiography, with contrast

70545-26 · Professional component

$55.11

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 70545 has changed in Virginia

70545 · Office / nonfacility

$222.35

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $220.68 to $222.35 (0.8%).

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

    $220.68changed to$222.35

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
    • Practice expense RVU 5.65 changed to 5.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $229.64changed to$220.68

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $225.90changed to$229.64

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $238.04changed to$225.90

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.80 changed to 5.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $245.07changed to$238.04

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.83 changed to 5.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $255.15changed to$245.07

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.08 changed to 5.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $258.00changed to$255.15

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.93 changed to 6.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $276.81changed to$258.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.49 changed to 5.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    No ratechanged to$276.81

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $383.15changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $382.52changed to$383.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 9.55 changed to 9.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  12. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $380.62changed to$382.52

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  13. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $395.58changed to$380.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.98 changed to 9.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  14. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $448.68changed to$395.58

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.21 changed to 9.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  15. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $448.68

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$222.35Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$222.35Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$222.35Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$222.35Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$220.68Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$220.68Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$220.68Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$220.68Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$229.64Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$229.64Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$229.64Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$229.64Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$225.90Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$238.04Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$238.04Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$238.04Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$238.04Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$245.07Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$245.07Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$245.07Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$245.07Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$255.15Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$255.15Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$255.15Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$255.15Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$258.00Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$258.00Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$258.00Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$258.00Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$276.81Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$276.81Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$276.81Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$276.81Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot 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
2016-10-01$383.15Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$383.15Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$383.15Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$383.15Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$382.52Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$382.52Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$380.62Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$380.62Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$395.58Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$395.58Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$395.58Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$395.58Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$448.68Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$448.68Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$448.68Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$448.68Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70545 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

70545 billing questions

How does this differ from 70544?

70545 is for head MR angiography performed with contrast. 70544 is the head angiography option without contrast.

When is 70546 used instead?

Use 70546 when the head MRA includes image acquisition both without and with contrast. Use 70545 when the documented study is performed with contrast.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

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

Does a multiple-imaging reduction affect only the technical service?

No. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components.

Can this be reported with a brain MRI?

A separately performed brain MRI may be reported when it evaluates brain tissue and the MRA evaluates intracranial vessels. The documentation should support both distinct studies.

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 70545PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,841 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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