CPT code 72052: Cervical X-ray, six or more views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $62.79 for 72052 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $54.96–$86.42.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 72052 covers

This service covers X-ray imaging of the cervical spine using at least six views. A radiologic technologist typically obtains the images, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them. It may be ordered for neck pain or to evaluate suspected degenerative changes, alignment abnormalities, or selected injuries when cervical radiographs are appropriate. The study may be performed in an imaging center, hospital, or office with radiographic equipment.

Choose this code from the number of views obtained for the cervical examination, not simply from the order wording. The report and imaging record should support the cervical anatomy examined, the views acquired, and the physician’s interpretation. Bill the global service without a component modifier when one entity provides both imaging and interpretation. If those services are split, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff.

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.

Where 72052 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

72052 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 72052 rate is calculated

Each of 72052’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 72052

The CMS indicators that decide how 72052 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72052 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72040Cervical spine X-rayTwo to three views

Use 72040 for two or three cervical views; use 72052 when six or more views are obtained.

72050Neck spine X-rayCervical spine, 4–5 views

72050 covers four or five cervical views. The view count for the completed study distinguishes it from 72052.

72084Full-spine X-raySix or more views

72084 is for a study of the entire spine with six or more views, not a cervical-only examination.

Codes related to 72052

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates