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CPT code 70552: MRI brain, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report this code for a conventional MRI of the brain, including the brain stem, performed with contrast when no precontrast imaging sequence is acquired.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality16.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $309.27 for 70552 in the office.

$309.27Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.0%vs the national office rate ($268.88)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70552 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 70552 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 70552 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 70552 covers

This service is a conventional magnetic resonance examination of the brain, including the brain stem, acquired after contrast administration without a precontrast sequence. Radiology technologists perform the scan in hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, or equipped offices; a radiologist interprets the images. It may be ordered to evaluate enhancing intracranial abnormalities, such as a suspected tumor or infection, when the clinical question calls for contrast-enhanced imaging.

Select this code when the examination uses contrast only. If the study includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging, use 70553; if it is performed without contrast, use 70551. The order, imaging record, contrast documentation, and interpretation should support the protocol and clinical indication. Bill the complete service without a component modifier, or report modifier 26 for the interpretation or TC for the equipment and staff. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction 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 70552

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70552 runs from $237.78 in Arkansas to $364.79 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $309.27. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70552 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$309.27
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$307.75−$1.52
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$283.48−$25.79
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$275.51−$33.76
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$308.44−$0.83
  6. Alaska · Alaska$309.58+$0.31
  7. Alabama · Alabama$241.29−$67.98

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

Every other payment area

70552 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$237.78—
ArizonaArizona$261.89—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$288.26—
Chico, CACalifornia$287.85—
El Centro, CACalifornia$287.87—
Fresno, CACalifornia$287.85—
Hanford, CACalifornia$287.85—
Madera, CACalifornia$287.85—

70552 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$237.78

$326.32

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

View every state and territory as a table
70552 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$309.581
AL$241.291
AR$237.781
AZ$261.891
CA$287.85–$364.7929
CO$281.931
CT$286.801
DC$309.271
DE$266.281
FL$261.80–$283.483
GA$247.32–$273.172
GU$295.511
HI$295.511
IA$248.891
ID$250.221
IL$253.15–$277.964
IN$251.721
KS$247.041
KY$245.591
LA$244.93–$257.222
MA$279.95–$310.932
MD$271.61–$309.273
ME$250.82–$265.542
MI$251.41–$264.392
MN$272.051
MO$240.24–$258.963
MS$239.091
MT$268.871
NC$253.581
ND$266.501
NE$250.461
NH$276.851
NJ$290.61–$305.892
NM$252.521
NV$268.411
NY$257.35–$315.115
OH$250.921
OK$245.861
OR$266.86–$291.732
PA$251.70–$279.172
PR$271.091
RI$276.371
SC$252.561
SD$266.221
TN$248.211
TX$249.99–$280.538
UT$256.061
VA$264.18–$309.272
VI$271.091
VT$264.831
WA$279.63–$317.982
WI$257.421
WV$243.521
WY$267.841

See 70552 in every payment locality

How the 70552 rate is calculated

Each of 70552’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 · 70552

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.74

1.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.19

6.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.0500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$268.88

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

7,859

Code
70552
Physician work
1.74
Practice expense
6.19
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 70552 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.74× 1.0541.8340
Practice expense6.19× 1.1787.2918
Malpractice0.12× 1.1130.1336
Total RVUs9.2593
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$309.27

Office: (1.74 × 1.054 + 6.19 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $309.27

Open 70552 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70552

The CMS indicators that decide how 70552 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70552

MRI brain, 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

70552 without 26 · national office

$268.88

MRI brain, with contrast

70552-26 · Professional component

$81.83

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70552

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

Codes related to 70552
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
70551Brain MRI, without contrastBrain MRI without contrast; distinguishes the examination by contrast protocol.$223.99
70553Brain MRI, without and with contrastBrain MRI with precontrast and postcontrast imaging.$363.81
Often billed with
70544Head MRA, without contrastHead MRA may accompany brain MRI when intracranial arterial imaging is also ordered and performed.$247.93

How 70552 has changed in Washington, DC area

70552 · Office / nonfacility

$309.27

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.58 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $309.85 to $309.27 (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

    $309.85changed to$309.27

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.78 changed to 1.74
    • Practice expense RVU 6.35 changed to 6.19
    • 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

    $322.83changed to$309.85

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.44 changed to 6.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $317.56changed to$322.83

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $338.59changed to$317.56

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.54 changed to 6.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12
    • 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

    $351.73changed to$338.59

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.59 changed to 6.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $368.44changed to$351.73

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 6.91 changed to 6.59

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $372.10changed to$368.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.80 changed to 6.91
    • 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

    $374.74changed to$372.10

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 6.96 changed to 6.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • 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

    $383.88changed to$374.74

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.18 changed to 6.96

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $381.20changed to$383.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.14 changed to 7.18
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $378.37changed to$381.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.09 changed to 7.14
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $378.87changed to$378.37

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.07 changed to 7.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $376.99changed to$378.87

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $395.08changed to$376.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.50 changed to 7.07
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $575.60changed to$395.08

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.45 changed to 7.50
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $575.60

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$309.27Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$309.27Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$309.27Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$309.27Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$309.85Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$309.85Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$309.85Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$309.85Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$322.83Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$322.83Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$322.83Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$322.83Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$317.56Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$338.59Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$338.59Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$338.59Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$338.59Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$351.73Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$351.73Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$351.73Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$351.73Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$368.44Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$368.44Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$368.44Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$368.44Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$372.10Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$372.10Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$372.10Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$372.10Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$374.74Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$374.74Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$374.74Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$374.74Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$383.88Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$383.88Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$383.88Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$383.88Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$381.20Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$381.20Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$381.20Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$381.20Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$378.37Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$378.37Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$378.37Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$378.37Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$378.87Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$378.87Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$376.99Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$376.99Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$395.08Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$395.08Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$395.08Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$395.08Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$575.60Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$575.60Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$575.60Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$575.60Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70552 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

70552 billing questions

How does this differ from 70553?

70552 represents contrast-enhanced imaging without a precontrast sequence. Use 70553 when the brain MRI includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. An unmodified claim represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

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

Is this code limited to imaging the brain stem?

No. It describes a conventional MRI of the brain, including the brain stem, with contrast. The documented examination and protocol should support the reported service.

When should 70551 be reported instead?

Use 70551 for a brain MRI performed without contrast. Use 70552 when contrast is used without a precontrast imaging sequence.

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 70552PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,859 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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