CPT code 71250: Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Diagnostic chest CT performed without intravenous contrast is reported to evaluate pulmonary nodules, interstitial lung disease, emphysema, or an abnormal chest radiograph.
In Montana, Medicare pays $132.60 for 71250 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 71250 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 71250 covers
This diagnostic CT of the thorax is acquired without intravenous contrast. It examines the lungs, airways, mediastinum, pleura, and chest wall and is commonly ordered for pulmonary nodule follow-up, high-resolution evaluation of interstitial lung disease, assessment of emphysema, or workup of an abnormal chest radiograph. Technologists acquire the images in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, and freestanding imaging centers. A radiologist interprets the study and issues a written report.
Report 71250 when the chest is scanned without intravenous contrast. Use 71260 for a contrast-only chest CT and 71270 when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced chest images are obtained. Lung cancer screening in an eligible asymptomatic patient is reported with 71271. The order should identify the diagnostic indication, and the report should describe the technique and findings. Billing without a modifier represents the global service; modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion when billed separately. For eligible imaging performed in the same session, Medicare's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction affects the professional and technical 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 Montana compares for 71250
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 71250 runs from $118.05 in Arkansas to $177.45 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $132.60. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$132.60
- Los Angeles, CA · California$150.67+$18.07
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$151.70+$19.10
- Miami, FL · Florida$140.08+$7.48
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$136.35+$3.75
- Manhattan, NY · New York$151.64+$19.04
- Alaska · Alaska$155.27+$22.67
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $119.69 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $118.05 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $129.31 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $141.49 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $141.26 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $163.93 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $150.03 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $142.03 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $148.30 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $147.74 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $151.24 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $173.70 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $173.62 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $177.45 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $177.12 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $145.34 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $152.72 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $148.30 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $154.27 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $163.82 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $141.25 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $138.60 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $141.12 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $131.40 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $135.73 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $129.59 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $134.70 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $122.77 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $144.66 | — |
| IowaIowa | $123.10 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $123.75 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $127.36 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $125.64 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $137.22 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $124.45 | — |
| KansasKansas | $122.30 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $121.84 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $127.30 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $121.56 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $152.25 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $137.73 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $140.67 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $133.90 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $124.10 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $130.88 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $130.87 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $124.62 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $133.72 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $126.74 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $128.04 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $119.40 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $118.76 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $125.38 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $131.21 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $123.82 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $136.21 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $150.20 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $142.99 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $125.17 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $132.31 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $154.84 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $143.71 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $153.20 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $127.15 | — |
| OhioOhio | $124.34 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $121.89 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $143.13 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $131.53 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $137.59 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $124.67 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $133.61 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $136.16 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $125.02 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $131.05 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $122.86 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $137.93 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $123.87 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $131.51 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $132.20 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $131.28 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $131.81 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $133.09 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $127.52 | — |
| UtahUtah | $126.65 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $130.30 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $133.61 | — |
| VermontVermont | $130.49 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $137.54 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $155.54 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $126.99 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $121.14 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $131.99 | — |
71250 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.
$118.05
$159.35
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 | $155.27 | 1 |
| AL | $119.69 | 1 |
| AR | $118.05 | 1 |
| AZ | $129.31 | 1 |
| CA | $141.25–$177.45 | 29 |
| CO | $138.60 | 1 |
| CT | $141.12 | 1 |
| DC | $151.70 | 1 |
| DE | $131.40 | 1 |
| FL | $129.59–$140.08 | 3 |
| GA | $122.77–$134.70 | 2 |
| GU | $144.66 | 1 |
| HI | $144.66 | 1 |
| IA | $123.10 | 1 |
| ID | $123.75 | 1 |
| IL | $125.64–$137.22 | 4 |
| IN | $124.45 | 1 |
| KS | $122.30 | 1 |
| KY | $121.84 | 1 |
| LA | $121.56–$127.30 | 2 |
| MA | $137.73–$152.25 | 2 |
| MD | $133.90–$151.70 | 3 |
| ME | $124.10–$130.88 | 2 |
| MI | $124.62–$130.87 | 2 |
| MN | $133.72 | 1 |
| MO | $119.40–$128.04 | 3 |
| MS | $118.76 | 1 |
| MT | $132.60 | 1 |
| NC | $125.38 | 1 |
| ND | $131.21 | 1 |
| NE | $123.82 | 1 |
| NH | $136.21 | 1 |
| NJ | $142.99–$150.20 | 2 |
| NM | $125.17 | 1 |
| NV | $132.31 | 1 |
| NY | $127.15–$154.84 | 5 |
| OH | $124.34 | 1 |
| OK | $121.89 | 1 |
| OR | $131.53–$143.13 | 2 |
| PA | $124.67–$137.59 | 2 |
| PR | $133.61 | 1 |
| RI | $136.16 | 1 |
| SC | $125.02 | 1 |
| SD | $131.05 | 1 |
| TN | $122.86 | 1 |
| TX | $123.87–$137.93 | 8 |
| UT | $126.65 | 1 |
| VA | $130.30–$151.70 | 2 |
| VI | $133.61 | 1 |
| VT | $130.49 | 1 |
| WA | $137.54–$155.54 | 2 |
| WI | $126.99 | 1 |
| WV | $121.14 | 1 |
| WY | $131.99 | 1 |
How the 71250 rate is calculated
Each of 71250’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 · 71250
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.05
1.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.85
2.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.9700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$132.60
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,910
- Code
- 71250
- Physician work
- 1.05
- Practice expense
- 2.85
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.05 | × 1.000 | 1.0500 |
| Practice expense | 2.85 | × 1.000 | 2.8500 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.998 | 0.0699 |
| Total RVUs | 3.9699 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$132.60
Office: (1.05 × 1 + 2.85 × 1 + 0.07 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $132.60
Payment rules and modifiers for 71250
The CMS indicators that decide how 71250 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 71250
Chest CT, diagnostic, without 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
71250 without 26 · national office
$132.60
Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrast
71250-26 · Professional component
$49.43
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 71250 has changed in Montana
71250 · Office / nonfacility
$132.60
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.64 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $130.96 to $132.60 (1.3%).
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
$130.96changed to$132.60
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.08 changed to 1.05
- Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.85
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$136.09changed to$130.96
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.91
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$133.87changed to$136.09
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$139.90changed to$133.87
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.94
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$142.18changed to$139.90
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$145.81changed to$142.18
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 2.97
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$161.26changed to$145.81
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Work RVU 1.16 changed to 1.08
- Practice expense RVU 3.23 changed to 3.04
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$162.91changed to$161.26
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$167.78changed to$162.91
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.37 changed to 3.23
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
No ratechanged to$167.78
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$213.19changed toNo rate
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $213.19
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $132.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $132.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $132.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $132.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $130.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $130.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $130.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $130.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $136.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $136.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $136.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $136.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $133.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $139.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $139.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $139.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $139.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $142.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $142.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $142.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $142.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $145.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $145.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $145.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $145.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $161.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $161.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $161.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $161.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $162.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $162.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $162.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $162.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $167.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $167.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $167.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $167.78 | 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 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $213.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $213.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $213.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $213.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
71250 billing questions
Is a high-resolution chest CT for interstitial lung disease reported with this code?
Yes. A noncontrast HRCT protocol, including prone or expiratory images, is reported as one diagnostic chest CT. The HRCT technique does not have a separate chest CT code.
How is a lung nodule follow-up CT coded differently from lung cancer screening?
Follow-up of a known nodule or other abnormality is a diagnostic exam and is reported with 71250 when performed without contrast. Low-dose lung cancer screening for an eligible asymptomatic patient is reported with 71271.
Which modifiers apply when the radiologist reads a hospital-performed scan?
The radiologist reports the interpretation with modifier 26; the hospital reports the technical service on its facility claim. A freestanding imaging provider billing for both the scan and interpretation reports the global service without a modifier.
What happens to payment when a chest CT and an abdomen-pelvis CT are done in the same session?
Report each medically necessary exam with its own code. Medicare's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction can affect the professional and technical components of eligible services; the order in which the scans occur does not determine the reduction.
If contrast was planned but not given, which code is reported?
Code the service performed. If the entire chest exam was acquired without intravenous contrast, report 71250 even if the order requested a contrast study, and document why contrast was not given.
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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