CPT code 71260: Chest CT with contrast, contrast-enhanced images only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Diagnostic chest CT acquired after IV contrast, without a precontrast diagnostic series, for evaluating masses, lymph nodes, infection, or mediastinal and pleural disease.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $157.15 for 71260 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $157.15. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$157.15
- Los Angeles, CA · California$190.25+$33.10
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$191.46+$34.31
- Miami, FL · Florida$176.43+$19.28
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$171.46+$14.31
- Manhattan, NY · New York$191.25+$34.10
- Alaska · Alaska$192.38+$35.23
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $149.63 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $147.46 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $162.33 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $178.30 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $178.02 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $187.16 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $186.47 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $191.11 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $220.26 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $220.16 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $225.08 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $224.67 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $183.42 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $193.14 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $187.24 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $195.12 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $207.47 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $178.01 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $174.52 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $177.75 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $165.04 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $170.74 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $162.64 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $169.40 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $153.65 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $182.66 | — |
| IowaIowa | $154.15 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $155.01 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $159.64 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $157.41 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $172.66 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $155.93 | — |
| KansasKansas | $153.09 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $152.44 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $159.65 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $152.06 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $192.32 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $173.34 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $177.18 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $168.31 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $155.46 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $164.43 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $164.33 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $156.10 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $168.21 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $158.92 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $160.63 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $149.22 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $148.38 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $166.66 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $164.88 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $155.10 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $171.46 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $189.40 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $180.06 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $156.82 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $166.29 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $195.46 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $180.96 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $193.33 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $159.48 | — |
| OhioOhio | $155.74 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $152.53 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $180.48 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $165.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $173.09 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $156.18 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $168.01 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $171.22 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $156.65 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $164.67 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $153.82 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $173.71 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $155.12 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $165.18 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $166.08 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $164.86 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $165.57 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $167.22 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $159.96 | — |
| UtahUtah | $158.81 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $163.65 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $168.01 | — |
| VermontVermont | $163.93 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $173.12 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $196.59 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $159.30 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $151.47 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $165.89 | — |
71260 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.
$147.46
$201.55
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 | $192.38 | 1 |
| AL | $149.63 | 1 |
| AR | $147.46 | 1 |
| AZ | $162.33 | 1 |
| CA | $178.01–$225.08 | 29 |
| CO | $174.52 | 1 |
| CT | $177.75 | 1 |
| DC | $191.46 | 1 |
| DE | $165.04 | 1 |
| FL | $162.64–$176.43 | 3 |
| GA | $153.65–$169.40 | 2 |
| GU | $182.66 | 1 |
| HI | $182.66 | 1 |
| IA | $154.15 | 1 |
| ID | $155.01 | 1 |
| IL | $157.41–$172.66 | 4 |
| IN | $155.93 | 1 |
| KS | $153.09 | 1 |
| KY | $152.44 | 1 |
| LA | $152.06–$159.65 | 2 |
| MA | $173.34–$192.32 | 2 |
| MD | $168.31–$191.46 | 3 |
| ME | $155.46–$164.43 | 2 |
| MI | $156.10–$164.33 | 2 |
| MN | $168.21 | 1 |
| MO | $149.22–$160.63 | 3 |
| MS | $148.38 | 1 |
| MT | $166.66 | 1 |
| NC | $157.15 | 1 |
| ND | $164.88 | 1 |
| NE | $155.10 | 1 |
| NH | $171.46 | 1 |
| NJ | $180.06–$189.40 | 2 |
| NM | $156.82 | 1 |
| NV | $166.29 | 1 |
| NY | $159.48–$195.46 | 5 |
| OH | $155.74 | 1 |
| OK | $152.53 | 1 |
| OR | $165.27–$180.48 | 2 |
| PA | $156.18–$173.09 | 2 |
| PR | $168.01 | 1 |
| RI | $171.22 | 1 |
| SC | $156.65 | 1 |
| SD | $164.67 | 1 |
| TN | $153.82 | 1 |
| TX | $155.12–$173.71 | 8 |
| UT | $158.81 | 1 |
| VA | $163.65–$191.46 | 2 |
| VI | $168.01 | 1 |
| VT | $163.93 | 1 |
| WA | $173.12–$196.59 | 2 |
| WI | $159.30 | 1 |
| WV | $151.47 | 1 |
| WY | $165.89 | 1 |
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
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 North Carolina 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
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.13 | × 1.000 | 1.1300 |
| Practice expense | 3.77 | × 0.933 | 3.5174 |
| Malpractice | 0.09 | × 0.639 | 0.0575 |
| Total RVUs | 4.7049 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$157.15
Office: (1.13 × 1 + 3.77 × 0.933 + 0.09 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $157.15
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
| 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
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.
How 71260 has changed in North Carolina
71260 · Office / nonfacility
$157.15
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $154.35 to $157.15 (1.8%).
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
$154.35changed to$157.15
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$160.60changed to$154.35
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$157.98changed to$160.60
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$165.09changed to$157.98
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.90
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$168.70changed to$165.09
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$173.98changed to$168.70
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 3.95
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$187.97changed to$173.98
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$187.95changed to$187.97
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$188.75changed to$187.95
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 4.24 changed to 4.21
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$219.01changed to$188.75
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 5.16 changed to 4.24
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$217.42changed to$219.01
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 5.13 changed to 5.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$217.26changed to$217.42
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$216.18changed to$217.26
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$227.23changed to$216.18
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$249.40changed to$227.23
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 6.51 changed to 5.43
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $249.40
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $157.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $157.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $157.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $157.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $154.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $154.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $154.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $154.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $160.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $160.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $160.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $160.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $157.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $165.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $165.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $165.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $165.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $168.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $168.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $168.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $168.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $173.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $173.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $173.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $173.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $187.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $187.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $187.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $187.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $187.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $187.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $187.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $187.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $188.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $188.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $188.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $188.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $219.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $219.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $219.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $219.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $217.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $217.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $217.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $217.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $217.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $217.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $216.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $216.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $227.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $227.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $227.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $227.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $249.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $249.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $249.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $249.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
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
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