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CPT code 71270: Chest CT, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports a diagnostic chest CT with images obtained before and after contrast when the clinical question requires both phases in one examination.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality60K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $205.29 for 71270 in the office.

$205.29Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+4.9%vs the national office rate ($195.73)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 71270 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 71270 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 71270 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 71270 covers

This service is a diagnostic CT examination of the chest that includes an unenhanced image acquisition followed by imaging after contrast administration. Radiologists commonly interpret it for evaluation of thoracic abnormalities such as a mass or other finding that needs assessment across both phases. It is performed in hospital imaging departments and outpatient radiology centers, with technologists operating the scanner and a qualified practitioner interpreting the images.

Report 71270 when the ordered and performed examination includes both the unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases; do not separately report 71250 and 71260 for those phases of the same examination. The order and report should support the diagnostic indication and the use of both phases. The global service includes the interpretation and the technical work; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components when applicable.

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 Colorado compares for 71270

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 71270 runs from $172.84 in Arkansas to $265.99 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $205.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

71270 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$205.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$224.20+$18.91
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$225.32+$20.03
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$206.56+$1.27
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$200.67−$4.62
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$224.72+$19.43
  7. Alaska · Alaska$224.63+$19.34

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

Every other payment area

71270 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$175.43—
ArkansasArkansas$172.84—
ArizonaArizona$190.59—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$209.92—
Chico, CACalifornia$209.62—
El Centro, CACalifornia$209.63—
Fresno, CACalifornia$209.62—
Hanford, CACalifornia$209.62—

71270 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.

$172.84

$237.81

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

View every state and territory as a table
71270 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$224.631
AL$175.431
AR$172.841
AZ$190.591
CA$209.62–$265.9929
CO$205.291
CT$208.881
DC$225.321
DE$193.811
FL$190.55–$206.563
GA$179.89–$198.892
GU$215.281
HI$215.281
IA$181.001
ID$181.991
IL$184.20–$202.444
IN$183.091
KS$179.651
KY$178.601
LA$178.13–$187.172
MA$203.83–$226.552
MD$197.71–$225.323
ME$182.44–$193.252
MI$182.90–$192.472
MN$198.021
MO$174.68–$188.443
MS$173.821
MT$195.721
NC$184.461
ND$193.941
NE$182.161
NH$201.581
NJ$211.63–$222.822
NM$183.721
NV$195.381
NY$187.24–$229.645
OH$182.531
OK$178.801
OR$194.23–$212.482
PA$183.10–$203.272
PR$197.361
RI$201.191
SC$183.731
SD$193.731
TN$180.511
TX$181.84–$204.288
UT$186.301
VA$192.26–$225.322
VI$197.361
VT$192.721
WA$203.60–$231.712
WI$187.271
WV$177.121
WY$194.951

See 71270 in every payment locality

How the 71270 rate is calculated

Each of 71270’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 · 71270

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.22

1.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.55

4.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$195.73

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,916

Code
71270
Physician work
1.22
Practice expense
4.55
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 71270 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.22× 1.0121.2346
Practice expense4.55× 1.0644.8412
Malpractice0.09× 0.7810.0703
Total RVUs6.1461
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$205.29

Office: (1.22 × 1.012 + 4.55 × 1.064 + 0.09 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $205.29

Open 71270 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 71270

The CMS indicators that decide how 71270 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 71270

Chest CT, without and with 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

71270 without 26 · national office

$195.73

Chest CT, without and with contrast

71270-26 · Professional component

$57.45

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 71270

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

Codes related to 71270
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Same family
71250Chest CT, diagnostic, without contrastChest CT option for an examination performed without contrast.$138.60
71260Chest CT with contrast, contrast-enhanced images onlyChest CT option for an examination performed with contrast only.$174.52
Used instead
71271Lung screening CT, low-dose, without contrastLow-dose chest CT screening code, rather than diagnostic imaging of a known concern.$142.42
71275CT angiography, chest vesselsChest CT angiography when the examination is performed to evaluate vascular anatomy.No office rate

How 71270 has changed in Colorado

71270 · Office / nonfacility

$205.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.35 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $200.94 to $205.29 (2.2%).

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

    $200.94changed to$205.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.25 changed to 1.22
    • Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 4.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $209.24changed to$200.94

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.71 changed to 4.64

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $205.82changed to$209.24

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $214.81changed to$205.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 4.71
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $219.97changed to$214.81

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.81 changed to 4.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $226.47changed to$219.97

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.96 changed to 4.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $241.48changed to$226.47

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work RVU 1.38 changed to 1.25
    • Practice expense RVU 5.08 changed to 4.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $239.85changed to$241.48

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.09 changed to 5.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $243.26changed to$239.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.19 changed to 5.09

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $282.10changed to$243.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.29 changed to 5.19
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $279.88changed to$282.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.27 changed to 6.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $279.41changed to$279.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.24 changed to 6.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $278.02changed to$279.41

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $293.46changed to$278.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.68 changed to 6.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $323.62changed to$293.46

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.03 changed to 6.68
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $323.62

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$205.29Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$205.29Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$205.29Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$205.29Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$200.94Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$200.94Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$200.94Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$200.94Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$209.24Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$209.24Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$209.24Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$209.24Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$205.82Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$214.81Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$214.81Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$214.81Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$214.81Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$219.97Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$219.97Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$219.97Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$219.97Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$226.47Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$226.47Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$226.47Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$226.47Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$241.48Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$241.48Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$241.48Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$241.48Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$239.85Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$239.85Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$239.85Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$239.85Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$243.26Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$243.26Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$243.26Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$243.26Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$282.10Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$282.10Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$282.10Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$282.10Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$279.88Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$279.88Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$279.88Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$279.88Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$279.41Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$279.41Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$278.02Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$278.02Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$293.46Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$293.46Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$293.46Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$293.46Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$323.62Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$323.62Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$323.62Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$323.62Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 71270 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

71270 billing questions

When should 71270 be chosen instead of 71250 or 71260?

Use 71270 when the chest CT includes both an unenhanced acquisition and imaging after contrast. Use 71250 for an examination without contrast, and 71260 when it is performed with contrast only.

Can 71250 and 71260 be billed separately for the same examination?

Do not split the unenhanced and contrast phases of one examination into those two codes. Report 71270 for the combined protocol.

What do modifiers 26 and TC represent?

Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation. Modifier TC reports the technical service, including equipment and staff; without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to the technical and professional components.

How does 71270 differ from chest CT angiography?

71270 describes a diagnostic chest CT with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases. Use 71275 when the examination is CT angiography of the chest.

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 71270PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,916 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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