CPT code 72074: Thoracic spine X-ray, four or more views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports a thoracic spine X-ray with at least four views, commonly obtained to assess thoracic back pain, deformity, or suspected vertebral injury.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality11.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $43.64 for 72074 in the office.

$43.64Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.0%vs the national office rate ($44.09)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72074 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 72074 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 72074 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 72074 covers

This examination uses multiple X-ray projections to evaluate the thoracic vertebrae, alignment, and related bony structures. It may be ordered for thoracic back pain, suspected compression fracture, or a spinal deformity such as kyphosis. A radiologic technologist acquires the images in an office or outpatient imaging department; a physician, commonly a radiologist, interprets them and documents the findings.

Report 72074 when the documented study covers the thoracic spine and includes four or more views. The order, image record, and report should support the body region examined, the views obtained, and the clinical reason for imaging. CMS recognizes a professional component for interpretation and a technical component for equipment and staff: report modifier 26 for the professional service, modifier TC for the technical service, or neither modifier when billing 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 Delaware compares for 72074

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72074 runs from $38.77 in Arkansas to $60.31 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $43.64. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72074 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$43.64
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$50.67+$7.03
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$50.90+$7.26
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$46.56+$2.92
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$45.19+$1.55
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$50.73+$7.09
  7. Alaska · Alaska$50.10+$6.46

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

Every other payment area

72074 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$39.37—
ArkansasArkansas$38.77—
ArizonaArizona$42.90—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$47.38—
Chico, CACalifornia$47.31—
El Centro, CACalifornia$47.32—
Fresno, CACalifornia$47.31—
Hanford, CACalifornia$47.31—

72074 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.

$38.77

$53.81

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

View every state and territory as a table
72074 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$50.101
AL$39.371
AR$38.771
AZ$42.901
CA$47.31–$60.3129
CO$46.311
CT$47.121
DC$50.901
DE$43.641
FL$42.87–$46.563
GA$40.39–$44.812
GU$48.661
HI$48.661
IA$40.681
ID$40.901
IL$41.39–$45.624
IN$41.161
KS$40.361
KY$40.101
LA$39.99–$42.092
MA$45.96–$51.212
MD$44.54–$50.903
ME$41.00–$43.522
MI$41.10–$43.312
MN$44.651
MO$39.19–$42.393
MS$38.991
MT$44.091
NC$41.481
ND$43.691
NE$40.951
NH$45.461
NJ$47.73–$50.302
NM$41.281
NV$44.011
NY$42.12–$51.875
OH$41.011
OK$40.151
OR$43.75–$47.982
PA$41.15–$45.812
PR$44.471
RI$45.341
SC$41.301
SD$43.651
TN$40.561
TX$40.86–$46.088
UT$41.901
VA$43.29–$50.902
VI$44.471
VT$43.411
WA$45.91–$52.402
WI$42.141
WV$39.741
WY$43.921

See 72074 in every payment locality

How the 72074 rate is calculated

Each of 72074’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 · 72074

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.06

1.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.3200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$44.09

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,955

Code
72074
Physician work
0.24
Practice expense
1.06
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 72074 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.24× 1.0050.2412
Practice expense1.06× 0.9881.0473
Malpractice0.02× 0.8990.0180
Total RVUs1.3065
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$43.64

Office: (0.24 × 1.005 + 1.06 × 0.988 + 0.02 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $43.64

Open 72074 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72074

The CMS indicators that decide how 72074 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72074

Thoracic spine X-ray, four 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

72074 without 26 · national office

$44.09

Thoracic spine X-ray, four or more views

72074-26 · Professional component

$11.36

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 72074 has changed in Delaware

72074 · Office / nonfacility

$43.64

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.53 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $43.11 to $43.64 (1.2%).

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

    $43.11changed to$43.64

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 1.06
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $44.36changed to$43.11

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $43.64changed to$44.36

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $45.34changed to$43.64

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.06 changed to 1.07
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $46.83changed to$45.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $46.14changed to$46.83

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.06

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $44.45changed to$46.14

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.94 changed to 1.03
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $41.11changed to$44.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.25
    • Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.94
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $40.33changed to$41.11

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.86 changed to 0.88

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $40.40changed to$40.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $40.49changed to$40.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $40.27changed to$40.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.85 changed to 0.86

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $40.07changed to$40.27

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $46.90changed to$40.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 0.85
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $47.10changed to$46.90

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $47.10

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$43.64Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$43.64Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$43.64Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$43.64Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$43.11Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$43.11Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$43.11Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$43.11Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$44.36Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$44.36Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$44.36Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$44.36Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$43.64Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$45.34Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$45.34Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$45.34Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$45.34Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$46.83Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$46.83Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$46.83Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$46.83Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$46.14Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$46.14Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$46.14Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$46.14Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$44.45Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$44.45Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$44.45Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$44.45Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$41.11Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$41.11Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$41.11Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$41.11Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$40.33Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$40.33Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$40.33Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$40.33Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$40.40Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$40.40Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$40.40Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$40.40Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$40.49Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$40.49Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$40.49Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$40.49Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$40.27Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$40.27Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$40.07Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$40.07Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$46.90Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$46.90Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$46.90Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$46.90Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$47.10Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$47.10Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$47.10Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$47.10Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72074 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

72074 billing questions

How does 72074 differ from 72072?

72074 is for a thoracic spine study with four or more views; 72072 is for three views. Select the code that matches the views actually obtained and documented.

Do four views mean four vertebral levels?

No. The view count refers to imaging projections of the thoracic spine, not the number of vertebral levels examined.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Use modifier 26 for the physician interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports 72074?

The record should identify the thoracic spine as the imaged region, document at least four views, and include the clinical indication and interpretation.

Should 72074 be used for imaging that includes the thoracolumbar junction?

Choose based on the documented anatomic extent. A study of the thoracolumbar region may be represented by 72080 rather than a thoracic-only examination.

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 72074PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,955 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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