FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 70554: Functional brain MRI, technologist acquisition2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Report 70554 for functional brain MRI acquired by a technologist to map task-related brain activity, such as for presurgical planning, without physician or psychologist attendance.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality524 Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $403.69 for 70554 in the office.

$403.69Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+6.9%vs the national office rate ($377.76)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 70554 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 70554 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 70554 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 70554 covers

This service uses functional MRI to map brain activity associated with tasks, often to help plan surgery near areas involved in language or movement. A technologist conducts the imaging acquisition; the physician or psychologist interprets the study and prepares the report without attending the acquisition. It is commonly performed in a hospital or imaging center when a clinical team needs functional information for neurologic or neurosurgical evaluation.

Choose this code for functional rather than routine anatomic brain imaging, and retain documentation of the clinical purpose, acquisition, interpretation, and report. The global service is billed without a component modifier; modifier TC identifies the technical service, and modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both components. CMS pays each side separately at 100% when the service is performed bilaterally.

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 Connecticut compares for 70554

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 70554 runs from $332.25 in Arkansas to $516.75 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $403.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

70554 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$403.69
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$434.18+$30.49
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$436.11+$32.42
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$398.88−$4.81
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$387.12−$16.57
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$434.63+$30.94
  7. Alaska · Alaska$429.33+$25.64

Other areas in Connecticut first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

70554 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$337.39—
ArkansasArkansas$332.25—
ArizonaArizona$367.54—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$405.97—
Chico, CACalifornia$405.41—
El Centro, CACalifornia$405.44—
Fresno, CACalifornia$405.41—
Hanford, CACalifornia$405.41—

70554 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.

$332.25

$461.08

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

View every state and territory as a table
70554 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$429.331
AL$337.391
AR$332.251
AZ$367.541
CA$405.41–$516.7529
CO$396.761
CT$403.691
DC$436.111
DE$373.901
FL$367.28–$398.883
GA$346.10–$383.962
GU$416.921
HI$416.921
IA$348.561
ID$350.511
IL$354.58–$390.824
IN$352.711
KS$345.831
KY$343.621
LA$342.65–$360.642
MA$393.79–$438.802
MD$381.63–$436.113
ME$351.36–$372.942
MI$352.11–$371.042
MN$382.561
MO$335.76–$363.223
MS$334.131
MT$377.751
NC$355.391
ND$374.391
NE$350.881
NH$389.491
NJ$408.97–$431.012
NM$353.731
NV$377.121
NY$360.91–$444.355
OH$351.421
OK$344.051
OR$374.86–$411.082
PA$352.58–$392.532
PR$381.021
RI$388.471
SC$353.861
SD$373.991
TN$347.541
TX$350.07–$394.848
UT$358.991
VA$370.94–$436.112
VI$381.021
VT$371.931
WA$393.38–$449.012
WI$361.101
WV$340.481
WY$376.291

See 70554 in every payment locality

How the 70554 rate is calculated

Each of 70554’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 · 70554

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.06

2.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.08

9.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.17

0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.3100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$377.76

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,865

Code
70554
Physician work
2.06
Practice expense
9.08
Malpractice
0.17

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 70554 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.06× 1.0202.1012
Practice expense9.08× 1.0779.7792
Malpractice0.17× 1.2100.2057
Total RVUs12.0861
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$403.69

Office: (2.06 × 1.02 + 9.08 × 1.077 + 0.17 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $403.69

Open 70554 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 70554

The CMS indicators that decide how 70554 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 70554

Functional brain MRI, technologist acquisition

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)3Each side paid at 100% (no 150% cap).
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

70554 without 26 · national office

$377.76

Functional brain MRI, technologist acquisition

70554-26 · Professional component

$97.86

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 70554

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

Codes related to 70554
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Same family
70555Functional brain MRI, physician or psychologistFunctional brain MRI with physician or psychologist attendance during the imaging.No office rate
Used instead
70551Brain MRI, without contrastRoutine brain MRI without contrast, for anatomic rather than functional imaging.$208.14
70553Brain MRI, without and with contrastRoutine brain MRI without and with contrast, rather than functional brain mapping.$337.85
70557Brain MRI, without contrastRoutine brain MRI without contrast, not functional mapping.No office rate

How 70554 has changed in Connecticut

70554 · Office / nonfacility

$403.69

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.16 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $403.53 to $403.69 (0.0%).

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

    $403.53changed to$403.69

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.11 changed to 2.06
    • Practice expense RVU 9.27 changed to 9.08
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $421.77changed to$403.53

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.46 changed to 9.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $414.88changed to$421.77

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $437.57changed to$414.88

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.59 changed to 9.46
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $454.52changed to$437.57

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.70 changed to 9.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $475.00changed to$454.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.13 changed to 9.70

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $481.96changed to$475.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.93 changed to 10.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $490.79changed to$481.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.14 changed to 9.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $503.86changed to$490.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 10.48 changed to 10.14

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $502.23changed to$503.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.44 changed to 10.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $502.24changed to$502.23

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.41 changed to 10.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $502.88changed to$502.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.37 changed to 10.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $500.38changed to$502.88

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $503.68changed to$500.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 10.53 changed to 10.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $546.51changed to$503.68

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 12.38 changed to 10.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $546.51

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$403.69Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$403.69Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$403.69Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$403.69Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$403.53Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$403.53Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$403.53Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$403.53Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$421.77Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$421.77Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$421.77Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$421.77Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$414.88Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$437.57Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$437.57Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$437.57Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$437.57Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$454.52Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$454.52Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$454.52Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$454.52Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$475.00Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$475.00Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$475.00Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$475.00Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$481.96Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$481.96Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$481.96Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$481.96Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$490.79Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$490.79Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$490.79Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$490.79Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$503.86Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$503.86Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$503.86Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$503.86Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$502.23Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$502.23Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$502.23Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$502.23Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$502.24Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$502.24Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$502.24Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$502.24Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$502.88Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$502.88Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$500.38Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$500.38Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$503.68Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$503.68Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$503.68Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$503.68Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$546.51Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$546.51Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$546.51Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$546.51Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 70554 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

70554 billing questions

How is 70554 different from 70555?

70554 is for technologist acquisition without physician or psychologist attendance. Use 70555 when the physician or psychologist attends the functional imaging.

Can the technical and professional services be billed separately?

Yes. Report modifier TC for the technical service and modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and report. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

When does the imaging multiple-procedure reduction apply?

When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, CMS applies the reduction to both the technical and professional components.

Is 70554 the code for a routine brain MRI?

No. It describes functional imaging that maps task-related brain activity. Routine anatomic brain MRI is represented by codes such as 70551 through 70553, selected according to contrast use.

What documentation supports reporting 70554?

Document the clinical reason for functional mapping, the imaging acquisition, and the interpreting physician's or psychologist's findings and report. The record should support that the technologist performed the acquisition without physician or psychologist attendance.

How does CMS treat bilateral performance?

When the service is performed bilaterally, CMS pays each side separately at 100%. Follow applicable claim instructions for reporting the sides.

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 70554PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,865 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 70554 pays in Connecticut?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 70554 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist