CPT code 71250: Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Diagnostic chest CT performed without intravenous contrast is reported to evaluate pulmonary nodules, interstitial lung disease, emphysema, or an abnormal chest radiograph.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.5M Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $130.49 for 71250 in the office.

$130.49Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.6%vs the national office rate ($132.60)

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.

We’ll open 71250 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 71250 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 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 Vermont 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. Vermont pays $130.49. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

71250 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$130.49
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$150.67+$20.18
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$151.70+$21.21
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$140.08+$9.59
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$136.35+$5.86
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$151.64+$21.15
  7. Alaska · Alaska$155.27+$24.78

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

Every other payment area

71250 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
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—

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
71250 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$155.271
AL$119.691
AR$118.051
AZ$129.311
CA$141.25–$177.4529
CO$138.601
CT$141.121
DC$151.701
DE$131.401
FL$129.59–$140.083
GA$122.77–$134.702
GU$144.661
HI$144.661
IA$123.101
ID$123.751
IL$125.64–$137.224
IN$124.451
KS$122.301
KY$121.841
LA$121.56–$127.302
MA$137.73–$152.252
MD$133.90–$151.703
ME$124.10–$130.882
MI$124.62–$130.872
MN$133.721
MO$119.40–$128.043
MS$118.761
MT$132.601
NC$125.381
ND$131.211
NE$123.821
NH$136.211
NJ$142.99–$150.202
NM$125.171
NV$132.311
NY$127.15–$154.845
OH$124.341
OK$121.891
OR$131.53–$143.132
PA$124.67–$137.592
PR$133.611
RI$136.161
SC$125.021
SD$131.051
TN$122.861
TX$123.87–$137.938
UT$126.651
VA$130.30–$151.702
VI$133.611
VT$130.491
WA$137.54–$155.542
WI$126.991
WV$121.141
WY$131.991

See 71250 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Vermont 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

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 71250 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.05× 1.0001.0500
Practice expense2.85× 0.9902.8215
Malpractice0.07× 0.5060.0354
Total RVUs3.9069
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$130.49

Office: (1.05 × 1 + 2.85 × 0.99 + 0.07 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $130.49

Open 71250 in the RVU calculator

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

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

71250 without 26 · national office

$132.60

Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrast

71250-26 · Professional component

$49.43

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 71250 has changed in Vermont

71250 · Office / nonfacility

$130.49

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.08 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $129.41 to $130.49 (0.8%).

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

    $129.41changed to$130.49

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $134.34changed to$129.41

    • 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.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $132.15changed to$134.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $138.57changed to$132.15

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 2.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $141.44changed to$138.57

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $145.06changed to$141.44

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 2.97

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $160.63changed to$145.06

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $161.67changed to$160.63

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $166.61changed to$161.67

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.37 changed to 3.23

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$166.61

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$130.49Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$130.49Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$130.49Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$130.49Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$129.41Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$129.41Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$129.41Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$129.41Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$134.34Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$134.34Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$134.34Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$134.34Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$132.15Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$138.57Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$138.57Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$138.57Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$138.57Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$141.44Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$141.44Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$141.44Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$141.44Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$145.06Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$145.06Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$145.06Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$145.06Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$160.63Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$160.63Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$160.63Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$160.63Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$161.67Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$161.67Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$161.67Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$161.67Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$166.61Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$166.61Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$166.61Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$166.61Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 71250 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

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
RVUs for 71250PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,910 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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