CPT code 70546: Head MR angiography, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $327.66 for 70546 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $286.87–$452.89.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 70546 covers

This study uses magnetic resonance angiography to depict blood vessels within the head, with image acquisition both before and after contrast administration. It may be ordered to assess suspected intracranial aneurysm, narrowing or blockage, or a vascular malformation. A technologist performs the imaging in a hospital or outpatient imaging center, and a radiologist interprets the resulting images and provides a report. The study focuses on intracranial vessels, not the brain tissue examination reported for a standard brain MRI.

Select this code when the documented head angiography protocol includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging; do not report it merely because contrast was planned if the performed study does not include both phases. The report and imaging record should support the head as the anatomic region and the two-part contrast protocol. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no component 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 70546 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

70546 rates by state

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

How the 70546 rate is calculated

Each of 70546’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 70546

The CMS indicators that decide how 70546 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

70546 compared with similar codes

How to choose

70544Head MRAWithout contrast

70544 is for head MR angiography without contrast. Choose 70546 when the head study includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging.

70545Head MR angiographyWith contrast

70545 represents head MR angiography with contrast. Choose 70546 when the protocol also includes a noncontrast acquisition.

70549Neck MRAWithout and with contrast

70549 covers MR angiography of the neck without and with contrast; 70546 is for intracranial vessels in the head.

70553Brain MRIWithout and with contrast

70553 is a brain MRI without and with contrast, rather than an angiographic study focused on head vessels.

Codes related to 70546

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates