CPT code 72040: Cervical spine X-ray, two to three views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports a plain radiographic examination of the cervical spine with two or three views, commonly ordered to evaluate neck pain, stiffness, or injury.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $37.36 for 72040 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72040 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 72040 covers
This service is a plain X-ray examination of the cervical spine, capturing two or three views to assess the neck vertebrae and alignment. It is commonly ordered for symptoms such as neck pain or stiffness and for evaluation after an injury. A radiologic technologist typically acquires the images in an imaging department, hospital, or physician office; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them and documents findings.
Select this code when the completed cervical spine examination contains two or three views; use the documented views obtained rather than the number requested. The record should identify the cervical spine, the images acquired, and the clinical reason for the study, with an interpretation supporting the professional service. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier when billing the global service. The professional and technical components are separately priced when billed with their respective modifiers.
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 72040
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72040 runs from $34.90 in Arkansas to $54.38 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $37.36. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$37.36
- Los Angeles, CA · California$45.68+$8.32
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$45.91+$8.55
- Miami, FL · Florida$42.08+$4.72
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$40.82+$3.46
- Manhattan, NY · New York$45.78+$8.42
- Alaska · Alaska$45.04+$7.68
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $35.45 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $34.90 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $38.66 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $42.70 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $42.64 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $50.06 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $45.53 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $42.85 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $44.92 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $44.75 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $45.94 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $53.20 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $53.18 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $54.38 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $54.29 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $44.01 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $46.48 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $44.96 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $46.96 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $50.02 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $42.63 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $41.74 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $42.50 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $39.33 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $40.70 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $38.67 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $40.42 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $36.41 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $43.86 | — |
| IowaIowa | $36.62 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $36.83 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $37.86 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $37.33 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $41.18 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $37.06 | — |
| KansasKansas | $36.34 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $36.13 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $37.95 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $36.03 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $46.18 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $41.42 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $42.36 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $40.15 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $36.93 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $39.21 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $39.08 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $37.04 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $40.21 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $37.78 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $38.21 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $35.30 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $35.12 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $39.75 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $39.35 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $36.86 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $40.98 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $45.36 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $43.04 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $37.22 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $39.67 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $46.83 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $43.25 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $46.33 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $37.95 | — |
| OhioOhio | $36.96 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $36.17 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $43.25 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $39.42 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $41.32 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $37.08 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $40.09 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $40.87 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $37.21 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $39.30 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $36.52 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $41.54 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $36.81 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $39.37 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $39.59 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $39.28 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $39.46 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $39.83 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $38.05 | — |
| UtahUtah | $37.76 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $39.01 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $40.09 | — |
| VermontVermont | $39.10 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $41.38 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $47.25 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $37.94 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $35.83 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $39.57 | — |
72040 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.
$34.90
$48.51
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 | $45.04 | 1 |
| AL | $35.45 | 1 |
| AR | $34.90 | 1 |
| AZ | $38.66 | 1 |
| CA | $42.63–$54.38 | 29 |
| CO | $41.74 | 1 |
| CT | $42.50 | 1 |
| DC | $45.91 | 1 |
| DE | $39.33 | 1 |
| FL | $38.67–$42.08 | 3 |
| GA | $36.41–$40.42 | 2 |
| GU | $43.86 | 1 |
| HI | $43.86 | 1 |
| IA | $36.62 | 1 |
| ID | $36.83 | 1 |
| IL | $37.33–$41.18 | 4 |
| IN | $37.06 | 1 |
| KS | $36.34 | 1 |
| KY | $36.13 | 1 |
| LA | $36.03–$37.95 | 2 |
| MA | $41.42–$46.18 | 2 |
| MD | $40.15–$45.91 | 3 |
| ME | $36.93–$39.21 | 2 |
| MI | $37.04–$39.08 | 2 |
| MN | $40.21 | 1 |
| MO | $35.30–$38.21 | 3 |
| MS | $35.12 | 1 |
| MT | $39.75 | 1 |
| NC | $37.36 | 1 |
| ND | $39.35 | 1 |
| NE | $36.86 | 1 |
| NH | $40.98 | 1 |
| NJ | $43.04–$45.36 | 2 |
| NM | $37.22 | 1 |
| NV | $39.67 | 1 |
| NY | $37.95–$46.83 | 5 |
| OH | $36.96 | 1 |
| OK | $36.17 | 1 |
| OR | $39.42–$43.25 | 2 |
| PA | $37.08–$41.32 | 2 |
| PR | $40.09 | 1 |
| RI | $40.87 | 1 |
| SC | $37.21 | 1 |
| SD | $39.30 | 1 |
| TN | $36.52 | 1 |
| TX | $36.81–$41.54 | 8 |
| UT | $37.76 | 1 |
| VA | $39.01–$45.91 | 2 |
| VI | $40.09 | 1 |
| VT | $39.10 | 1 |
| WA | $41.38–$47.25 | 2 |
| WI | $37.94 | 1 |
| WV | $35.83 | 1 |
| WY | $39.57 | 1 |
How the 72040 rate is calculated
Each of 72040’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 · 72040
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.96
0.96 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.1900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$39.75
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
7,940
- Code
- 72040
- Physician work
- 0.21
- Practice expense
- 0.96
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.21 | × 1.000 | 0.2100 |
| Practice expense | 0.96 | × 0.933 | 0.8957 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.639 | 0.0128 |
| Total RVUs | 1.1185 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$37.36
Office: (0.21 × 1 + 0.96 × 0.933 + 0.02 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $37.36
Payment rules and modifiers for 72040
The CMS indicators that decide how 72040 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72040
Cervical spine X-ray, two to three views
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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
72040 without 26 · national office
$39.75
Cervical spine X-ray, two to three views
72040-26 · Professional component
$10.35
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72040 has changed in North Carolina
72040 · Office / nonfacility
$37.36
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.36 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $36.00 to $37.36 (3.8%).
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
$36.00changed to$37.36
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.96
- 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
$37.05changed to$36.00
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$36.44changed to$37.05
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$37.80changed to$36.44
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$38.37changed to$37.80
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.94 changed to 0.95
- 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
$37.71changed to$38.37
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.94
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$36.34changed to$37.71
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.91
- 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
$34.94changed to$36.34
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.83
- 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
$31.88changed to$34.94
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.79
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$31.48changed to$31.88
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$31.40changed to$31.48
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- 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
$31.46changed to$31.40
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$31.30changed to$31.46
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$34.56changed to$31.30
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.68
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$34.29changed to$34.56
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.77
- 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: $34.29
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $37.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $37.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $37.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $37.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $36.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $36.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $36.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $36.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $37.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $37.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $37.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $37.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $36.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $37.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $37.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $37.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $37.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $38.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $38.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $38.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $38.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $37.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $37.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $37.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $37.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $36.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $36.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $36.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $36.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $34.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $34.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $34.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $34.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $31.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $31.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $31.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $31.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $31.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $31.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $31.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $31.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $31.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $31.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $31.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $31.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $31.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $31.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $34.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $34.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $34.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $34.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $34.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $34.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $34.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $34.29 | 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
72040 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from the four- or five-view cervical spine code?
Use 72040 for a cervical spine examination with two or three views. When the completed study has four or five views, compare with 72050.
Does 72040 include the radiologist's interpretation?
The global service includes both image acquisition and interpretation. A professional-only claim uses modifier 26; a technical-only claim uses modifier TC.
What documentation supports the view count?
Document the cervical spine study and the views actually acquired. The report should also identify the clinical reason and include the interpretation when the professional service is billed.
Can 72040 be reported for a one-view cervical spine study?
No. The one-view spine code, 72020, is the relevant comparison when only one view is performed; 72040 describes two or three cervical spine views.
Is this code appropriate for thoracic spine imaging?
No. 72040 is specific to the cervical spine. Thoracic spine studies use codes for that region, with selection based on the views performed.
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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