CPT code 72070: Thoracic spine X-ray, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports a two-view X-ray examination of the thoracic spine, commonly obtained to assess pain, injury, vertebral alignment, or suspected fracture.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $29.56 for 72070 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72070 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 72070 covers
This service is a plain-film examination of the thoracic vertebrae using two radiographic views, typically an anteroposterior and a lateral projection. It is commonly ordered for thoracic back pain, suspected vertebral compression fracture, trauma, or assessment of spinal alignment. A radiologic technologist acquires the images; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them. The study may be performed in a hospital, imaging center, or physician office with radiography equipment.
Report 72070 when the documented examination covers the thoracic spine and includes two views. Select a different code when the actual study includes a different number of views or covers a different spinal region. The imaging order and report should support the body region examined, views obtained, and diagnostic interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and an unmodified claim represents the global service.
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 Alabama compares for 72070
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72070 runs from $29.12 in Arkansas to $44.86 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $29.56. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$29.56
- Los Angeles, CA · California$37.82+$8.26
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$38.08+$8.52
- Miami, FL · Florida$35.14+$5.58
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$34.11+$4.55
- Manhattan, NY · New York$38.05+$8.49
- Alaska · Alaska$37.78+$8.22
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $29.12 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $32.17 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $35.40 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $41.34 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $37.68 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $35.56 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $37.19 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $37.05 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $38.00 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $43.88 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $43.86 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $44.86 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $44.77 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $36.45 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $38.43 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $37.21 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $38.82 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $41.30 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $35.34 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $34.65 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $35.32 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $32.72 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $33.94 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $32.27 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $33.63 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $30.42 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $36.31 | — |
| IowaIowa | $30.48 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $30.66 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $31.69 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $31.21 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $34.32 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $30.85 | — |
| KansasKansas | $30.27 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $30.16 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $31.64 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $30.08 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $38.26 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $34.40 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $35.21 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $33.39 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $30.76 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $32.59 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $32.62 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $30.92 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $33.34 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $31.48 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $31.83 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $29.50 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $29.32 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $33.07 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $31.10 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $32.67 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $30.67 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $34.04 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $37.65 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $35.77 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $31.07 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $32.98 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $38.93 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $35.95 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $38.47 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $31.58 | — |
| OhioOhio | $30.83 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $30.17 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $35.86 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $32.77 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $34.37 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $30.92 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $33.34 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $33.97 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $31.01 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $32.62 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $30.42 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $34.50 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $30.70 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $32.74 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $32.93 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $32.68 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $32.83 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $33.19 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $31.69 | — |
| UtahUtah | $31.46 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $32.43 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $33.34 | — |
| VermontVermont | $32.48 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $34.36 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $39.12 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $31.52 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $29.99 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $32.89 | — |
72070 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.
$29.12
$40.10
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 | $37.78 | 1 |
| AL | $29.56 | 1 |
| AR | $29.12 | 1 |
| AZ | $32.17 | 1 |
| CA | $35.34–$44.86 | 29 |
| CO | $34.65 | 1 |
| CT | $35.32 | 1 |
| DC | $38.08 | 1 |
| DE | $32.72 | 1 |
| FL | $32.27–$35.14 | 3 |
| GA | $30.42–$33.63 | 2 |
| GU | $36.31 | 1 |
| HI | $36.31 | 1 |
| IA | $30.48 | 1 |
| ID | $30.66 | 1 |
| IL | $31.21–$34.32 | 4 |
| IN | $30.85 | 1 |
| KS | $30.27 | 1 |
| KY | $30.16 | 1 |
| LA | $30.08–$31.64 | 2 |
| MA | $34.40–$38.26 | 2 |
| MD | $33.39–$38.08 | 3 |
| ME | $30.76–$32.59 | 2 |
| MI | $30.92–$32.62 | 2 |
| MN | $33.34 | 1 |
| MO | $29.50–$31.83 | 3 |
| MS | $29.32 | 1 |
| MT | $33.07 | 1 |
| NC | $31.10 | 1 |
| ND | $32.67 | 1 |
| NE | $30.67 | 1 |
| NH | $34.04 | 1 |
| NJ | $35.77–$37.65 | 2 |
| NM | $31.07 | 1 |
| NV | $32.98 | 1 |
| NY | $31.58–$38.93 | 5 |
| OH | $30.83 | 1 |
| OK | $30.17 | 1 |
| OR | $32.77–$35.86 | 2 |
| PA | $30.92–$34.37 | 2 |
| PR | $33.34 | 1 |
| RI | $33.97 | 1 |
| SC | $31.01 | 1 |
| SD | $32.62 | 1 |
| TN | $30.42 | 1 |
| TX | $30.70–$34.50 | 8 |
| UT | $31.46 | 1 |
| VA | $32.43–$38.08 | 2 |
| VI | $33.34 | 1 |
| VT | $32.48 | 1 |
| WA | $34.36–$39.12 | 2 |
| WI | $31.52 | 1 |
| WV | $29.99 | 1 |
| WY | $32.89 | 1 |
How the 72070 rate is calculated
Each of 72070’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 · 72070
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.20
0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.77
0.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$33.07
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,949
- Code
- 72070
- Physician work
- 0.20
- Practice expense
- 0.77
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.20 | × 1.000 | 0.2000 |
| Practice expense | 0.77 | × 0.875 | 0.6738 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.566 | 0.0113 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8851 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$29.56
Office: (0.2 × 1 + 0.77 × 0.875 + 0.02 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $29.56
Payment rules and modifiers for 72070
The CMS indicators that decide how 72070 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72070
Thoracic spine X-ray, two 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
72070 without 26 · national office
$33.07
Thoracic spine X-ray, two views
72070-26 · Professional component
$9.69
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72070 has changed in Alabama
72070 · Office / nonfacility
$29.56
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.07 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $28.49 to $29.56 (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
$28.49changed to$29.56
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$29.31changed to$28.49
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$28.84changed to$29.31
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$30.19changed to$28.84
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$30.91changed to$30.19
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.77
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$30.24changed to$30.91
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.76
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$29.22changed to$30.24
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.73
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$31.38changed to$29.22
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.20
- Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.67
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$31.34changed to$31.38
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$31.34
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $29.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $29.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $29.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $29.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $28.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $28.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $28.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $28.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $29.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $29.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $29.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $29.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $28.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $30.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $30.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $30.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $30.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $30.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $30.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $30.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $30.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $29.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $29.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $29.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $29.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $31.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $31.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $31.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $31.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
72070 billing questions
How is 72070 distinguished from 72072?
Use 72070 for a two-view thoracic spine examination and 72072 when three views are obtained. Base selection on the views documented for the completed study.
When should 72074 be used instead?
72074 describes a thoracic spine study with four or more views. It is not selected just because additional detail is discussed in the interpretation; the performed views must support it.
How are the professional and technical portions billed?
Report modifier 26 for the physician's interpretation and modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion when those portions are billed separately. An unmodified claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting two views?
The imaging record should identify the thoracic spine examination and document the two views acquired. The report should support the interpretation of that study.
Is a one-view thoracic study reported with 72070?
No. Code 72020 is the one-view spine radiograph code; 72070 is for two thoracic spine views.
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
Fee sheets · Coming soon
Put 72070 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Join the waitlist