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CPT code 71260: Chest CT with contrast, contrast-enhanced images only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Santa Clara County, CA

Diagnostic chest CT acquired after IV contrast, without a precontrast diagnostic series, for evaluating masses, lymph nodes, infection, or mediastinal and pleural disease.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.8M Medicare services in 2024

In Santa Clara County, CA, Medicare pays $224.67 for 71260 in the office.

$224.67Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+34.8%vs the national office rate ($166.67)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 71260 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 71260 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Santa Clara County, CA
  2. What 71260 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 71260 covers

This study images the lungs, mediastinum, pleura, chest wall, and great vessels after intravenous contrast administration. A separate precontrast diagnostic series is not acquired. Common indications include staging or restaging lung, esophageal, and breast cancers or lymphoma; characterizing a mediastinal or hilar mass; evaluating suspected empyema or abscess; and assessing lymphadenopathy. A CT technologist acquires the images in a hospital, imaging center, or office-based practice, and a radiologist interprets them in a signed report.

Select 71260 when the diagnostic chest images are acquired after contrast without a separate precontrast diagnostic series. The imaging record and report should support the indication, IV contrast use, technique, and findings. Billing without a modifier claims the global service when the billing entity provides both components. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation; modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. When eligible diagnostic imaging studies are furnished to the same patient on the same day, Medicare's multiple procedure reduction can affect both the technical and professional components of lower-ranked services.

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 Santa Clara County, CA compares for 71260

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 71260 runs from $147.46 in Arkansas to $225.08 in San Benito County, CA. Santa Clara County, CA pays $224.67. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

71260 in Santa Clara County, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Santa Clara County, CA · this page$224.67
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$178.30−$46.37
  3. Chico, CA · California$178.01−$46.66
  4. El Centro, CA · California$178.02−$46.65
  5. Fresno, CA · California$178.01−$46.66
  6. Hanford, CA · California$178.01−$46.66
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$190.25−$34.42

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

Every other payment area

71260 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$178.01—
Merced, CACalifornia$178.01—
Modesto, CACalifornia$178.01—
Napa, CACalifornia$207.61—
Oxnard, CACalifornia$189.51—
Redding, CACalifornia$178.01—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$178.01—
Riverside, CACalifornia$179.00—

71260 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.

$147.46

$201.55

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

View every state and territory as a table
71260 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$192.381
AL$149.631
AR$147.461
AZ$162.331
CA$178.01–$225.0829
CO$174.521
CT$177.751
DC$191.461
DE$165.041
FL$162.64–$176.433
GA$153.65–$169.402
GU$182.661
HI$182.661
IA$154.151
ID$155.011
IL$157.41–$172.664
IN$155.931
KS$153.091
KY$152.441
LA$152.06–$159.652
MA$173.34–$192.322
MD$168.31–$191.463
ME$155.46–$164.432
MI$156.10–$164.332
MN$168.211
MO$149.22–$160.633
MS$148.381
MT$166.661
NC$157.151
ND$164.881
NE$155.101
NH$171.461
NJ$180.06–$189.402
NM$156.821
NV$166.291
NY$159.48–$195.465
OH$155.741
OK$152.531
OR$165.27–$180.482
PA$156.18–$173.092
PR$168.011
RI$171.221
SC$156.651
SD$164.671
TN$153.821
TX$155.12–$173.718
UT$158.811
VA$163.65–$191.462
VI$168.011
VT$163.931
WA$173.12–$196.592
WI$159.301
WV$151.471
WY$165.891

See 71260 in every payment locality

How the 71260 rate is calculated

Each of 71260’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 · 71260

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.13

1.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.77

3.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$166.67

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

The exact Santa Clara County, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,913

Code
71260
Physician work
1.13
Practice expense
3.77
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

28

Locality
Santa Clara County, CA
Physician work
1.110
Practice expense
1.442
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 71260 in Santa Clara County, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.13× 1.1101.2543
Practice expense3.77× 1.4425.4363
Malpractice0.09× 0.3970.0357
Total RVUs6.7264
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Santa Clara County, CA$224.67

Office: (1.13 × 1.11 + 3.77 × 1.442 + 0.09 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $224.67

Open 71260 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 71260

The CMS indicators that decide how 71260 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 71260

Chest CT with contrast, contrast-enhanced images only

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

71260 without 26 · national office

$166.67

Chest CT with contrast, contrast-enhanced images only

71260-26 · Professional component

$53.78

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 71260

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

Codes related to 71260
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Santa Clara County, CA
Same family
71250Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrastDiagnostic chest CT performed without contrast material.$177.12
71270Chest CT, without and with contrastDiagnostic chest CT with both precontrast and postcontrast series.$265.57
Used instead
71275CT angiography, chest vesselsChest CT angiography when vascular evaluation calls for an angiographic technique.No office rate
Often billed with
74177CT abdomen and pelvis, with contrast onlyCT abdomen and pelvis with contrast, often paired with chest CT for cancer staging.$408.83
70491CT neck, with contrastCT neck with contrast, sometimes paired with chest CT for head and neck cancer staging.$246.31
Q9967Iodinated contrast, 300–399 mg iodine/mLLow-osmolar contrast supply per milliliter when the agent's iodine concentration and billing setting qualify.No office rate

How 71260 has changed in Santa Clara County, CA

71260 · Office / nonfacility

$224.67

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.74 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $220.93 to $224.67 (1.7%).

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

    $220.93changed to$224.67

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.16 changed to 1.13
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.110
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.435 changed to 1.442
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.420 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $229.89changed to$220.93

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.90 changed to 3.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $226.13changed to$229.89

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $232.42changed to$226.13

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.90
    • Work GPCI 1.098 changed to 1.100
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.435
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.417 changed to 0.420

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $233.91changed to$232.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.096 changed to 1.098
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.383 changed to 1.409
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.414 changed to 0.417

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $241.64changed to$233.91

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 3.95

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $257.75changed to$241.64

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work RVU 1.24 changed to 1.16
    • Practice expense RVU 4.21 changed to 4.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.089 changed to 1.096
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.369 changed to 1.383
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.401 changed to 0.414

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $254.95changed to$257.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.089
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.354 changed to 1.369
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.388 changed to 0.401

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $256.13changed to$254.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.24 changed to 4.21

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $299.67changed to$256.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.16 changed to 4.24
    • Work GPCI 1.086 changed to 1.083
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.351 changed to 1.354
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.402 changed to 0.388

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $296.91changed to$299.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.13 changed to 5.16
    • Work GPCI 1.088 changed to 1.086
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.347 changed to 1.351
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.402

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $296.86changed to$296.91

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.11 changed to 5.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $295.38changed to$296.86

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $310.49changed to$295.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.43 changed to 5.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.088
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.342 changed to 1.347
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.466 changed to 0.416

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $342.97changed to$310.49

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.51 changed to 5.43
    • Work GPCI 1.077 changed to 1.083
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.337 changed to 1.342
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.516 changed to 0.466

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$342.97

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$224.67Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$224.67Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$224.67Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$224.67Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$220.93Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$220.93Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$220.93Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$220.93Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$229.89Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$229.89Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$229.89Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$229.89Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$226.13Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$232.42Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$232.42Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$232.42Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$232.42Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$233.91Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$233.91Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$233.91Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$233.91Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$241.64Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$241.64Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$241.64Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$241.64Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$257.75Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$257.75Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$257.75Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$257.75Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$254.95Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$254.95Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$254.95Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$254.95Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$256.13Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$256.13Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$256.13Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$256.13Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$299.67Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$299.67Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$299.67Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$299.67Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$296.91Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$296.91Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$296.91Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$296.91Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$296.86Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$296.86Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$295.38Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$295.38Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$310.49Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$310.49Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$310.49Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$310.49Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$342.97Not 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 71260 for an earlier date of service

Where the Santa Clara County, CA rate applies

Santa Clara County, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • San Jose
  • Santa Clara
  • Sunnyvale
  • Alum Rock
  • Burbank
  • Cambrian Park
  • Campbell
  • Cupertino

Browse all communities in California

71260 billing questions

When should this code be chosen over the without-contrast or with-and-without chest CT codes?

Use 71260 when diagnostic chest images are acquired after IV contrast without a separate precontrast diagnostic series. Report 71250 for a study without contrast or 71270 when both precontrast and postcontrast diagnostic series are obtained.

Can this code be reported for a CT to rule out pulmonary embolism?

A chest CT angiography study performed with a pulmonary embolism protocol is reported with 71275. Use 71260 for a routine contrast-enhanced chest CT rather than an angiographic study.

How is a CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis with contrast coded?

Report 71260 for the chest and 74177 for the abdomen and pelvis when each study meets its descriptor. Medicare's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction can affect the technical and professional components of eligible lower-ranked services furnished on the same day.

Which modifier does a radiologist reading a hospital outpatient study use?

The radiologist appends modifier 26 to report only the interpretation. A freestanding center reports the global service without a component modifier only when it bills for both the technical service and interpretation.

Is the contrast agent separately billable?

Contrast injection is part of the CT service. A contrast supply may be reported separately when permitted in the billing setting; choose a HCPCS supply code that matches the agent and its iodine concentration rather than using Q9967 for every low-osmolar agent.

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 71260PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,913 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Santa Clara County, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 28 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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