CPT code 70546: Head MR angiography, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
MR angiography of the head with image acquisition before and after contrast is reported to evaluate intracranial vessels, including suspected aneurysm or stenosis.
In Virginia, Medicare pays $321.80 for 70546 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $321.80. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Virginia · this page$321.80
- Los Angeles, CA · California$378.72+$56.92
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$379.76+$57.96
- Miami, FL · Florida$345.09+$23.29
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$334.57+$12.77
- Manhattan, NY · New York$377.73+$55.93
- Alaska · Alaska$367.82+$46.02
Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $291.48 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $416.35 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $377.65 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $354.39 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $372.45 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $371.11 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $381.28 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $443.04 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $442.91 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $452.89 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $452.33 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $364.92 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $386.06 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $372.89 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $390.07 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $416.15 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $353.07 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $345.00 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $350.68 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $324.19 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $334.48 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $317.55 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $333.02 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $298.67 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $363.73 | — |
| IowaIowa | $301.82 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $303.51 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $309.68 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $305.95 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $338.53 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $305.49 | — |
| KansasKansas | $299.22 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $296.74 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $311.95 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $295.81 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $382.65 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $342.22 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $349.50 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $331.12 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $304.10 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $323.70 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $320.77 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $304.21 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $332.83 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $310.76 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $314.44 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $289.53 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $288.31 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $327.65 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $307.75 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $325.28 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $303.95 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $338.46 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $375.05 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $355.33 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $305.60 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $327.27 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $386.26 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $356.85 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $382.66 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $312.69 | — |
| OhioOhio | $303.72 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $297.28 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $357.99 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $325.37 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $340.60 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $304.85 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $330.63 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $337.24 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $306.12 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $325.00 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $300.73 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $343.28 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $302.58 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $324.69 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $326.42 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $323.72 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $325.43 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $327.63 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $313.22 | — |
| UtahUtah | $310.72 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $330.63 | — |
| VermontVermont | $322.93 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $341.93 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $391.89 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $313.32 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $293.29 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $326.62 | — |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $367.82 | 1 |
| AL | $291.48 | 1 |
| AR | $286.87 | 1 |
| AZ | $318.54 | 1 |
| CA | $353.07–$452.89 | 29 |
| CO | $345.00 | 1 |
| CT | $350.68 | 1 |
| DC | $379.76 | 1 |
| DE | $324.19 | 1 |
| FL | $317.55–$345.09 | 3 |
| GA | $298.67–$333.02 | 2 |
| GU | $363.73 | 1 |
| HI | $363.73 | 1 |
| IA | $301.82 | 1 |
| ID | $303.51 | 1 |
| IL | $305.95–$338.53 | 4 |
| IN | $305.49 | 1 |
| KS | $299.22 | 1 |
| KY | $296.74 | 1 |
| LA | $295.81–$311.95 | 2 |
| MA | $342.22–$382.65 | 2 |
| MD | $331.12–$379.76 | 3 |
| ME | $304.10–$323.70 | 2 |
| MI | $304.21–$320.77 | 2 |
| MN | $332.83 | 1 |
| MO | $289.53–$314.44 | 3 |
| MS | $288.31 | 1 |
| MT | $327.65 | 1 |
| NC | $307.75 | 1 |
| ND | $325.28 | 1 |
| NE | $303.95 | 1 |
| NH | $338.46 | 1 |
| NJ | $355.33–$375.05 | 2 |
| NM | $305.60 | 1 |
| NV | $327.27 | 1 |
| NY | $312.69–$386.26 | 5 |
| OH | $303.72 | 1 |
| OK | $297.28 | 1 |
| OR | $325.37–$357.99 | 2 |
| PA | $304.85–$340.60 | 2 |
| PR | $330.63 | 1 |
| RI | $337.24 | 1 |
| SC | $306.12 | 1 |
| SD | $325.00 | 1 |
| TN | $300.73 | 1 |
| TX | $302.58–$343.28 | 8 |
| UT | $310.72 | 1 |
| VA | $321.80–$379.76 | 2 |
| VI | $330.63 | 1 |
| VT | $322.93 | 1 |
| WA | $341.93–$391.89 | 2 |
| WI | $313.32 | 1 |
| WV | $293.29 | 1 |
| WY | $326.62 | 1 |
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
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 Virginia 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
106
- Locality
- Virginia
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.983
- Malpractice
- 0.706
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.44 | × 1.000 | 1.4400 |
| Practice expense | 8.25 | × 0.983 | 8.1098 |
| Malpractice | 0.12 | × 0.706 | 0.0847 |
| Total RVUs | 9.6345 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Virginia$321.80
Office: (1.44 × 1 + 8.25 × 0.983 + 0.12 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $321.80
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
| 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
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.
How 70546 has changed in Virginia
70546 · Office / nonfacility
$321.80
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.19 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $319.61 to $321.80 (0.7%).
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
$319.61changed to$321.80
- 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 1.002 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$333.42changed to$319.61
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$327.98changed to$333.42
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$345.05changed to$327.98
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 8.69 changed to 8.58
- 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
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$355.54changed to$345.05
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 8.73 changed to 8.69
- Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$370.36changed to$355.54
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$374.23changed to$370.36
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
- Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$409.08changed to$374.23
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 9.91 changed to 8.87
- Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
- Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$486.73changed to$409.08
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 12.11 changed to 9.91
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
No ratechanged to$486.73
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $321.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $321.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $321.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $321.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $319.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $319.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $319.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $319.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $333.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $333.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $333.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $333.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $327.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $345.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $345.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $345.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $345.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $355.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $355.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $355.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $355.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $370.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $370.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $370.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $370.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $374.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $374.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $374.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $374.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $409.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $409.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $409.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $409.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $486.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $486.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $486.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $486.73 | 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 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
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
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