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

MR angiography of the head with image acquisition before and after contrast is reported to evaluate intracranial vessels, including suspected aneurysm or stenosis.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality23.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $379.76 for 70546 in the office.

$379.76Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.9%vs the national office rate ($327.66)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70546 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 70546 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 70546 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 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 70546

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70546 runs from $286.87 in Arkansas to $452.89 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $379.76. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70546 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$379.76
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$378.72−$1.04
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$345.09−$34.67
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$334.57−$45.19
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$377.73−$2.03
  6. Alaska · Alaska$367.82−$11.94
  7. Alabama · Alabama$291.48−$88.28

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

70546 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$286.87—
ArizonaArizona$318.54—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$353.46—
Chico, CACalifornia$353.07—
El Centro, CACalifornia$353.09—
Fresno, CACalifornia$353.07—
Hanford, CACalifornia$353.07—
Madera, CACalifornia$353.07—

70546 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.

$286.87

$402.98

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

View every state and territory as a table
70546 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$367.821
AL$291.481
AR$286.871
AZ$318.541
CA$353.07–$452.8929
CO$345.001
CT$350.681
DC$379.761
DE$324.191
FL$317.55–$345.093
GA$298.67–$333.022
GU$363.731
HI$363.731
IA$301.821
ID$303.511
IL$305.95–$338.534
IN$305.491
KS$299.221
KY$296.741
LA$295.81–$311.952
MA$342.22–$382.652
MD$331.12–$379.763
ME$304.10–$323.702
MI$304.21–$320.772
MN$332.831
MO$289.53–$314.443
MS$288.311
MT$327.651
NC$307.751
ND$325.281
NE$303.951
NH$338.461
NJ$355.33–$375.052
NM$305.601
NV$327.271
NY$312.69–$386.265
OH$303.721
OK$297.281
OR$325.37–$357.992
PA$304.85–$340.602
PR$330.631
RI$337.241
SC$306.121
SD$325.001
TN$300.731
TX$302.58–$343.288
UT$310.721
VA$321.80–$379.762
VI$330.631
VT$322.931
WA$341.93–$391.892
WI$313.321
WV$293.291
WY$326.621

See 70546 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 70546

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.44

1.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.25

8.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.8100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$327.66

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,844

Code
70546
Physician work
1.44
Practice expense
8.25
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 70546 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.44× 1.0541.5178
Practice expense8.25× 1.1789.7185
Malpractice0.12× 1.1130.1336
Total RVUs11.3698
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$379.76

Office: (1.44 × 1.054 + 8.25 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $379.76

Open 70546 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70546

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

CMS payment indicators · 70546

Head MR angiography, without and 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

70546 without 26 · national office

$327.66

Head MR angiography, without and with contrast

70546-26 · Professional component

$67.80

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 70546 has changed in Washington, DC area

70546 · Office / nonfacility

$379.76

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.80 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $380.56 to $379.76 (0.2%).

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

    $380.56changed to$379.76

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.48 changed to 1.44
    • Practice expense RVU 8.45 changed to 8.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $397.18changed to$380.56

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 8.58 changed to 8.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $390.70changed to$397.18

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $415.47changed to$390.70

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.69 changed to 8.58
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $432.77changed to$415.47

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.73 changed to 8.69
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $450.98changed to$432.77

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.09 changed to 8.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $451.96changed to$450.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.87 changed to 9.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $491.10changed to$451.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 9.91 changed to 8.87
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $586.00changed to$491.10

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 12.11 changed to 9.91

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$586.00

    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$379.76Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$379.76Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$379.76Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$379.76Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$380.56Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$380.56Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$380.56Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$380.56Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$397.18Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$397.18Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$397.18Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$397.18Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$390.70Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$415.47Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$415.47Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$415.47Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$415.47Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$432.77Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$432.77Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$432.77Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$432.77Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$450.98Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$450.98Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$450.98Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$450.98Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$451.96Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$451.96Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$451.96Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$451.96Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$491.10Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$491.10Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$491.10Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$491.10Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$586.00Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$586.00Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$586.00Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$586.00Not 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 70546 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

70546 billing questions

When should this code be chosen over 70544 or 70545?

Use 70546 when the head MR angiography includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging. 70544 describes the noncontrast protocol, while 70545 describes the contrast protocol.

Can the noncontrast and contrast phases be reported separately?

Report the combined study once with 70546 when both phases are performed as the head MR angiography exam. Do not bill a separate code for each phase of that exam.

How should the professional and technical services be billed?

Use modifier 26 for the radiologist's interpretation and report, or modifier TC for the equipment and staff service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

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

What documentation supports reporting 70546?

The imaging record and radiology report should identify intracranial vessels as the target and support acquisition both without and with 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 70546PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,844 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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