CPT code 70557: Brain MRI, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 70557 in California.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 70557 covers

This code represents an MRI examination of the brain performed without contrast material. Hospital imaging departments and independent imaging centers provide the scan; a radiologist typically interprets the images and prepares a report for the ordering clinician. The study can be used to evaluate neurologic symptoms or suspected brain abnormalities when the examination is performed without contrast.

Medicare assigns physician fee schedule status C: there is no national payment amount, and the Medicare Administrative Contractor sets payment for each claim. The diagnostic test has professional and technical components. Report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or no component modifier when billing the global service. Report the contrast-specific brain MRI code when contrast is used, or when both noncontrast and contrast imaging are performed.

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.

Where 70557 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 70557 rate is calculated

Each of 70557’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 70557

The CMS indicators that decide how 70557 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

70557 compared with similar codes

How to choose

70558Functional brain MRIWith contrast

This code is for brain MRI without contrast; 70558 is the contrast-enhanced variant.

70559Functional brain MRIWithout and with contrast

Use this code for imaging without contrast only. Code 70559 represents an examination that includes both noncontrast and contrast imaging.

70544Head MRAWithout contrast

This code images brain tissue. Code 70544 is for MR angiography of the head without contrast, which focuses on blood vessels.

Codes related to 70557

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates