CPT code 70552: MRI brain, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota
Report this code for a conventional MRI of the brain, including the brain stem, performed with contrast when no precontrast imaging sequence is acquired.
In North Dakota, Medicare pays $266.50 for 70552 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 North Dakota 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. North Dakota pays $266.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Dakota · this page$266.50
- Los Angeles, CA · California$307.75+$41.25
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$309.27+$42.77
- Miami, FL · Florida$283.48+$16.98
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$275.51+$9.01
- Manhattan, NY · New York$308.44+$41.94
- Alaska · Alaska$309.58+$43.08
Other areas in North Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $241.29 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $336.31 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $306.62 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $289.18 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $302.81 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $301.69 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $309.31 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $357.00 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $356.86 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $364.79 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $364.24 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $296.74 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $312.69 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $302.97 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $315.90 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $336.12 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $287.85 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $281.93 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $286.80 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $266.28 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $274.80 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $261.80 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $273.17 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $247.32 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $295.51 | — |
| IowaIowa | $248.89 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $250.22 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $256.40 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $253.15 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $277.96 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $251.72 | — |
| KansasKansas | $247.04 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $245.59 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $257.22 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $244.93 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $310.93 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $279.95 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $285.85 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $271.61 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $250.82 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $265.54 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $264.39 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $251.41 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $272.05 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $256.17 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $258.96 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $240.24 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $239.09 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $268.87 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $253.58 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $250.46 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $276.85 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $305.89 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $290.61 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $252.52 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $268.41 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $315.11 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $291.98 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $312.00 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $257.35 | — |
| OhioOhio | $250.92 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $245.86 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $291.73 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $266.86 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $279.17 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $251.70 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $271.09 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $276.37 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $252.56 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $266.22 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $248.21 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $280.53 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $249.99 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $266.60 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $268.00 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $265.99 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $267.21 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $269.40 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $257.94 | — |
| UtahUtah | $256.06 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $264.18 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $271.09 | — |
| VermontVermont | $264.83 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $279.63 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $317.98 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $257.42 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $243.52 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $267.84 | — |
70552 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.
$237.78
$326.32
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 | $309.58 | 1 |
| AL | $241.29 | 1 |
| AR | $237.78 | 1 |
| AZ | $261.89 | 1 |
| CA | $287.85–$364.79 | 29 |
| CO | $281.93 | 1 |
| CT | $286.80 | 1 |
| DC | $309.27 | 1 |
| DE | $266.28 | 1 |
| FL | $261.80–$283.48 | 3 |
| GA | $247.32–$273.17 | 2 |
| GU | $295.51 | 1 |
| HI | $295.51 | 1 |
| IA | $248.89 | 1 |
| ID | $250.22 | 1 |
| IL | $253.15–$277.96 | 4 |
| IN | $251.72 | 1 |
| KS | $247.04 | 1 |
| KY | $245.59 | 1 |
| LA | $244.93–$257.22 | 2 |
| MA | $279.95–$310.93 | 2 |
| MD | $271.61–$309.27 | 3 |
| ME | $250.82–$265.54 | 2 |
| MI | $251.41–$264.39 | 2 |
| MN | $272.05 | 1 |
| MO | $240.24–$258.96 | 3 |
| MS | $239.09 | 1 |
| MT | $268.87 | 1 |
| NC | $253.58 | 1 |
| ND | $266.50 | 1 |
| NE | $250.46 | 1 |
| NH | $276.85 | 1 |
| NJ | $290.61–$305.89 | 2 |
| NM | $252.52 | 1 |
| NV | $268.41 | 1 |
| NY | $257.35–$315.11 | 5 |
| OH | $250.92 | 1 |
| OK | $245.86 | 1 |
| OR | $266.86–$291.73 | 2 |
| PA | $251.70–$279.17 | 2 |
| PR | $271.09 | 1 |
| RI | $276.37 | 1 |
| SC | $252.56 | 1 |
| SD | $266.22 | 1 |
| TN | $248.21 | 1 |
| TX | $249.99–$280.53 | 8 |
| UT | $256.06 | 1 |
| VA | $264.18–$309.27 | 2 |
| VI | $271.09 | 1 |
| VT | $264.83 | 1 |
| WA | $279.63–$317.98 | 2 |
| WI | $257.42 | 1 |
| WV | $243.52 | 1 |
| WY | $267.84 | 1 |
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
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 North Dakota 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
84
- Locality
- North Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.406
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.74 | × 1.000 | 1.7400 |
| Practice expense | 6.19 | × 1.000 | 6.1900 |
| Malpractice | 0.12 | × 0.406 | 0.0487 |
| Total RVUs | 7.9787 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Dakota$266.50
Office: (1.74 × 1 + 6.19 × 1 + 0.12 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $266.50
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
| 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
70552 without 26 · national office
$268.88
MRI brain, with contrast
70552-26 · Professional component
$81.83
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 70552 has changed in North Dakota
70552 · Office / nonfacility
$266.50
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $264.82 to $266.50 (0.6%).
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
$264.82changed to$266.50
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.406
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$275.69changed to$264.82
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$271.19changed to$275.69
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$284.19changed to$271.19
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.474 changed to 0.517
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$291.29changed to$284.19
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.431 changed to 0.474
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$304.88changed to$291.29
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 6.91 changed to 6.59
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$311.57changed to$304.88
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 6.80 changed to 6.91
- Malpractice GPCI 0.485 changed to 0.431
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$317.32changed to$311.57
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 0.540 changed to 0.485
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$324.89changed to$317.32
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 7.18 changed to 6.96
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$322.48changed to$324.89
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 7.14 changed to 7.18
- Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.540
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$319.96changed to$322.48
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 7.09 changed to 7.14
- Malpractice GPCI 0.554 changed to 0.547
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$320.40changed to$319.96
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 7.07 changed to 7.09
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$318.81changed to$320.40
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$334.74changed to$318.81
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 7.50 changed to 7.07
- Malpractice GPCI 0.536 changed to 0.554
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$486.26changed to$334.74
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 12.45 changed to 7.50
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $486.26
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $266.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $266.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $266.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $266.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $264.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $264.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $264.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $264.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $275.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $275.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $275.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $275.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $271.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $284.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $284.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $284.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $284.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $291.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $291.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $291.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $291.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $304.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $304.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $304.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $304.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $311.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $311.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $311.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $311.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $317.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $317.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $317.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $317.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $324.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $324.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $324.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $324.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $322.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $322.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $322.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $322.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $319.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $319.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $319.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $319.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $320.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $320.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $318.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $318.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $334.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $334.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $334.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $334.74 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $486.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $486.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $486.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $486.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the North Dakota rate applies
North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abercrombie
- Adams
- Alamo
- Alexander
- Alice
- Almont
- Alsen
- Ambrose
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
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