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

Reports cervical spine radiography with six or more views, such as a detailed study for neck pain, alignment concerns, or selected injury evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality57.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Alaska, Medicare pays $70.57 for 72052 in the office.

$70.57Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+12.4%vs the national office rate ($62.79)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72052 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 72052 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alaska
  2. What 72052 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 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.

How Alaska compares for 72052

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72052 runs from $54.96 in Arkansas to $86.42 in San Benito County, CA. Alaska pays $70.57. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72052 in Alaska vs other payment areas
  1. Alaska · this page$70.57
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$72.39+$1.82
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$72.70+$2.13
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$66.46−$4.11
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$64.42−$6.15
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$72.44+$1.87
  7. Alabama · Alabama$55.85−$14.72

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

Every other payment area

72052 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$54.96—
ArizonaArizona$61.03—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$67.59—
Chico, CACalifornia$67.50—
El Centro, CACalifornia$67.50—
Fresno, CACalifornia$67.50—
Hanford, CACalifornia$67.50—
Madera, CACalifornia$67.50—

72052 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.

$54.96

$76.96

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

View every state and territory as a table
72052 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$70.571
AL$55.851
AR$54.961
AZ$61.031
CA$67.50–$86.4229
CO$66.031
CT$67.211
DC$72.701
DE$62.121
FL$61.01–$66.463
GA$57.36–$63.862
GU$69.511
HI$69.511
IA$57.761
ID$58.101
IL$58.82–$65.044
IN$58.471
KS$57.291
KY$56.921
LA$56.76–$59.862
MA$65.51–$73.192
MD$63.43–$72.703
ME$58.25–$61.952
MI$58.39–$61.662
MN$63.601
MO$55.58–$60.293
MS$55.291
MT$62.791
NC$58.941
ND$62.201
NE$58.161
NH$64.801
NJ$68.07–$71.812
NM$58.671
NV$62.681
NY$59.89–$74.125
OH$58.271
OK$56.991
OR$62.29–$68.482
PA$58.47–$65.302
PR$63.351
RI$64.591
SC$58.681
SD$62.131
TN$57.591
TX$58.03–$65.728
UT$59.571
VA$61.61–$72.702
VI$63.351
VT$61.781
WA$65.44–$74.922
WI$59.911
WV$56.401
WY$62.531

See 72052 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 72052

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.56

1.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.03

0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.8800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$62.79

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

The exact Alaska inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,946

Code
72052
Physician work
0.29
Practice expense
1.56
Malpractice
0.03

GPCI2026.csv

5

Locality
Alaska
Physician work
1.500
Practice expense
1.065
Malpractice
0.551
Office calculation for 72052 in Alaska
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.29× 1.5000.4350
Practice expense1.56× 1.0651.6614
Malpractice0.03× 0.5510.0165
Total RVUs2.1129
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alaska$70.57

Office: (0.29 × 1.5 + 1.56 × 1.065 + 0.03 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $70.57

Open 72052 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72052

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

CMS payment indicators · 72052

Cervical X-ray, six or more views

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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

72052 without 26 · national office

$62.79

Cervical X-ray, six or more views

72052-26 · Professional component

$14.36

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 72052 has changed in Alaska

72052 · Office / nonfacility

$70.57

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $68.63 to $70.57 (2.8%).

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

    $68.63changed to$70.57

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.56
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.081 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.592 changed to 0.551

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $71.35changed to$68.63

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.55 changed to 1.53

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $70.18changed to$71.35

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $73.27changed to$70.18

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.55
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.081
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.603 changed to 0.592
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $75.19changed to$73.27

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.118 changed to 1.100
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.614 changed to 0.603

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $74.26changed to$75.19

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.49 changed to 1.53

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $71.19changed to$74.26

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.49
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.614

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $72.56changed to$71.19

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.36 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.118
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.708 changed to 0.661

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $68.06changed to$72.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $67.64changed to$68.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.710 changed to 0.708

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $67.27changed to$67.64

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.107 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.712 changed to 0.710

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $66.97changed to$67.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $66.63changed to$66.97

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $74.07changed to$66.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.087 changed to 1.107
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.687 changed to 0.712

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $73.00changed to$74.07

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.067 changed to 1.087
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.687

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $73.00

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$70.57Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$70.57Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$70.57Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$70.57Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$68.63Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$68.63Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$68.63Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$68.63Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$71.35Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$71.35Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$71.35Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$71.35Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$70.18Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$73.27Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$73.27Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$73.27Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$73.27Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$75.19Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$75.19Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$75.19Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$75.19Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$74.26Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$74.26Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$74.26Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$74.26Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$71.19Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$71.19Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$71.19Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$71.19Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$72.56Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$72.56Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$72.56Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$72.56Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$68.06Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$68.06Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$68.06Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$68.06Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$67.64Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$67.64Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$67.64Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$67.64Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$67.27Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$67.27Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$67.27Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$67.27Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$66.97Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$66.97Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$66.63Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$66.63Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$74.07Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$74.07Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$74.07Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$74.07Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$73.00Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$73.00Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$73.00Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$73.00Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72052 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alaska rate applies

Alaska is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 355 cities and communities in Alaska. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adak
  • Akhiok
  • Akiachak
  • Akiak
  • Akutan
  • Alakanuk
  • Alatna
  • Alcan Border

Browse all communities in Alaska

72052 billing questions

How does this differ from 72050?

72052 applies when the cervical study includes six or more views. Use 72050 when four or five views were obtained.

How does this differ from 72040?

72040 is for a cervical study with two or three views. Select among these codes based on the views actually acquired.

Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Do flexion and extension images count toward the view total?

Count the views obtained as part of the cervical examination, including flexion or extension views when they are acquired and documented as part of that study.

Should 72050 also be reported for the same cervical study?

Do not report a lower-view cervical code separately for the same set of images. Use the code matching the total number of views for the study.

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 72052PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,946 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlaskaGPCI2026.csv, line 5 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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