CPT code 70548: Neck MRA, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the neck arteries, commonly used to assess suspected carotid or vertebral artery narrowing, dissection, or aneurysm.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $231.24 for 70548 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70548 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 70548 covers
This service is an MRI-based angiographic study of the arteries in the neck performed after contrast administration. It is commonly used to evaluate carotid and vertebral artery disease, including suspected stenosis, dissection, or aneurysm. A radiology technologist performs the acquisition, and a radiologist interprets the images and prepares the report. It may be performed in a hospital imaging department or an outpatient imaging center.
Choose this code when the documented study is MR angiography of the neck performed with contrast, rather than a soft-tissue neck MRI or a neck MRA performed without contrast. The order, imaging record, and interpretation should support the neck arterial anatomy examined and contrast use. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the 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 when applicable.
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 North Carolina compares for 70548
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70548 runs from $216.49 in Arkansas to $334.49 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $231.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$231.24
- Los Angeles, CA · California$281.59+$50.35
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$282.91+$51.67
- Miami, FL · Florida$259.03+$27.79
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$251.56+$20.32
- Manhattan, NY · New York$282.05+$50.81
- Alaska · Alaska$280.78+$49.54
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $219.77 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $216.49 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $238.98 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $263.52 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $263.17 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $308.15 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $280.61 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $264.37 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $277.02 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $276.00 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $283.12 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $327.30 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $327.17 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $334.49 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $333.98 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $271.46 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $286.32 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $277.20 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $289.27 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $307.97 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $263.15 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $257.63 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $262.11 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $243.05 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $250.98 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $238.85 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $249.47 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $225.35 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $270.40 | — |
| IowaIowa | $226.87 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $228.12 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $233.78 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $230.77 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $253.89 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $229.51 | — |
| KansasKansas | $225.14 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $223.75 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $234.61 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $223.14 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $284.54 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $255.76 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $261.24 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $248.00 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $228.66 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $242.40 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $241.26 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $229.17 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $248.51 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $233.64 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $236.24 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $218.76 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $217.70 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $245.49 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $243.31 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $228.35 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $252.95 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $279.71 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $265.56 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $230.21 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $245.08 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $288.25 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $266.80 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $285.38 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $234.75 | — |
| OhioOhio | $228.73 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $224.02 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $266.77 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $243.63 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $255.00 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $229.46 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $247.57 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $252.40 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $230.27 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $243.06 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $226.23 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $256.37 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $227.86 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $243.34 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $244.64 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $242.76 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $243.90 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $245.92 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $235.29 | — |
| UtahUtah | $233.54 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $241.13 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $247.57 | — |
| VermontVermont | $241.75 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $255.48 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $291.09 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $234.85 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $221.79 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $244.54 | — |
70548 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.
$216.49
$298.82
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 | $280.78 | 1 |
| AL | $219.77 | 1 |
| AR | $216.49 | 1 |
| AZ | $238.98 | 1 |
| CA | $263.15–$334.49 | 29 |
| CO | $257.63 | 1 |
| CT | $262.11 | 1 |
| DC | $282.91 | 1 |
| DE | $243.05 | 1 |
| FL | $238.85–$259.03 | 3 |
| GA | $225.35–$249.47 | 2 |
| GU | $270.40 | 1 |
| HI | $270.40 | 1 |
| IA | $226.87 | 1 |
| ID | $228.12 | 1 |
| IL | $230.77–$253.89 | 4 |
| IN | $229.51 | 1 |
| KS | $225.14 | 1 |
| KY | $223.75 | 1 |
| LA | $223.14–$234.61 | 2 |
| MA | $255.76–$284.54 | 2 |
| MD | $248.00–$282.91 | 3 |
| ME | $228.66–$242.40 | 2 |
| MI | $229.17–$241.26 | 2 |
| MN | $248.51 | 1 |
| MO | $218.76–$236.24 | 3 |
| MS | $217.70 | 1 |
| MT | $245.49 | 1 |
| NC | $231.24 | 1 |
| ND | $243.31 | 1 |
| NE | $228.35 | 1 |
| NH | $252.95 | 1 |
| NJ | $265.56–$279.71 | 2 |
| NM | $230.21 | 1 |
| NV | $245.08 | 1 |
| NY | $234.75–$288.25 | 5 |
| OH | $228.73 | 1 |
| OK | $224.02 | 1 |
| OR | $243.63–$266.77 | 2 |
| PA | $229.46–$255.00 | 2 |
| PR | $247.57 | 1 |
| RI | $252.40 | 1 |
| SC | $230.27 | 1 |
| SD | $243.06 | 1 |
| TN | $226.23 | 1 |
| TX | $227.86–$256.37 | 8 |
| UT | $233.54 | 1 |
| VA | $241.13–$282.91 | 2 |
| VI | $247.57 | 1 |
| VT | $241.75 | 1 |
| WA | $255.48–$291.09 | 2 |
| WI | $234.85 | 1 |
| WV | $221.79 | 1 |
| WY | $244.54 | 1 |
How the 70548 rate is calculated
Each of 70548’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 · 70548
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.46
1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.78
5.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.11
0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
7.3500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$245.50
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,850
- Code
- 70548
- Physician work
- 1.46
- Practice expense
- 5.78
- Malpractice
- 0.11
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.46 | × 1.000 | 1.4600 |
| Practice expense | 5.78 | × 0.933 | 5.3927 |
| Malpractice | 0.11 | × 0.639 | 0.0703 |
| Total RVUs | 6.9230 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$231.24
Office: (1.46 × 1 + 5.78 × 0.933 + 0.11 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $231.24
Payment rules and modifiers for 70548
The CMS indicators that decide how 70548 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70548
Neck MRA, 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
70548 without 26 · national office
$245.50
Neck MRA, with contrast
70548-26 · Professional component
$68.81
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 70548 has changed in North Carolina
70548 · Office / nonfacility
$231.24
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.85 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $227.39 to $231.24 (1.7%).
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
$227.39changed to$231.24
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.50 changed to 1.46
- Practice expense RVU 5.90 changed to 5.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$236.70changed to$227.39
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.98 changed to 5.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$232.83changed to$236.70
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$244.21changed to$232.83
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 6.06 changed to 5.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$250.96changed to$244.21
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 6.11 changed to 6.06
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$259.27changed to$250.96
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 6.32 changed to 6.11
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$262.95changed to$259.27
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 6.14 changed to 6.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$293.36changed to$262.95
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 7.05 changed to 6.14
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
No ratechanged to$293.36
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$389.08changed toNo rate
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$389.87changed to$389.08
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 10.31 changed to 10.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$387.93changed to$389.87
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$402.51changed to$387.93
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 10.74 changed to 10.31
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$460.30changed to$402.51
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 13.24 changed to 10.74
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $460.30
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $231.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $231.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $231.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $231.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $227.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $227.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $227.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $227.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $236.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $236.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $236.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $236.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $232.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $244.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $244.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $244.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $244.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $250.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $250.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $250.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $250.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $259.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $259.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $259.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $259.27 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $262.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $262.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $262.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $262.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $293.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $293.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $293.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $293.36 | 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 | $389.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $389.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $389.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $389.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $389.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $389.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $387.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $387.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $402.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $402.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $402.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $402.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $460.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $460.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $460.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $460.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
70548 billing questions
How does 70548 differ from 70547?
70548 is for neck MR angiography performed with contrast. Use 70547 when the neck MRA is performed without contrast.
When is 70549 more appropriate?
70549 describes neck MR angiography performed both without and with contrast. Use 70548 when the study is performed with contrast, not with both phases.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect both components?
Yes. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
Is this the correct code for a contrast-enhanced MRI of neck soft tissues?
No. This code is for MR angiography of the neck arteries. A neck soft-tissue MRI is a different study, even if it uses 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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