CPT code 72081: Spine X-ray, entire spine, one view2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa
Reports a one-view radiographic study covering the entire spine, commonly obtained to assess scoliosis or overall spinal alignment.
In Iowa, Medicare pays $40.53 for 72081 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72081 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 72081 covers
This service covers a single radiographic projection that includes the entire spine, rather than a study limited to one spinal region. It is commonly ordered to evaluate scoliosis or overall spinal alignment. A radiologic technologist acquires the image in an office imaging department or hospital, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets it and documents the findings.
Select the code when the order, image, and report support one view of the entire spine. The record should identify the study coverage and projection, with an interpretation addressing the clinical question. Modifier 26 identifies the physician’s interpretation and report; modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff used to acquire the image. Billing without either modifier represents the global service, including both portions.
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 Iowa compares for 72081
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72081 runs from $38.71 in Arkansas to $59.90 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $40.53. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Iowa · this page$40.53
- Los Angeles, CA · California$50.45+$9.92
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$50.84+$10.31
- Miami, FL · Florida$47.05+$6.52
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$45.62+$5.09
- Manhattan, NY · New York$50.84+$10.31
- Alaska · Alaska$50.07+$9.54
Other areas in Iowa first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $39.31 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $38.71 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $42.87 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $47.19 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $47.11 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $55.17 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $50.27 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $47.43 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $49.59 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $49.41 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $50.69 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $58.58 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $58.55 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $59.90 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $59.76 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $48.59 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $51.27 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $49.62 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $51.79 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $55.12 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $47.10 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $46.19 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $47.14 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $43.61 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $45.35 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $43.06 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $44.87 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $40.53 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $48.43 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $40.78 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $42.33 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $41.63 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $45.86 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $41.04 | — |
| KansasKansas | $40.26 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $40.15 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $42.18 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $40.05 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $51.06 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $45.86 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $47.00 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $44.51 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $40.93 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $43.41 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $43.56 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $41.20 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $44.39 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $41.95 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $42.42 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $39.27 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $39.00 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $44.09 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $41.40 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $43.49 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $40.79 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $45.39 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $50.24 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $47.72 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $41.41 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $43.96 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $52.05 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $47.98 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $51.39 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $42.05 | — |
| OhioOhio | $41.08 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $40.15 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $47.82 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $43.65 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $45.86 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $41.19 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $44.46 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $45.29 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $41.30 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $43.42 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $40.46 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $46.01 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $40.89 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $43.62 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $43.88 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $43.55 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $43.74 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $44.29 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $42.22 | — |
| UtahUtah | $41.90 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $43.20 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $44.46 | — |
| VermontVermont | $43.25 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $45.80 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $52.21 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $41.94 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $39.97 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $43.83 | — |
72081 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.
$38.71
$53.50
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 | $50.07 | 1 |
| AL | $39.31 | 1 |
| AR | $38.71 | 1 |
| AZ | $42.87 | 1 |
| CA | $47.10–$59.90 | 29 |
| CO | $46.19 | 1 |
| CT | $47.14 | 1 |
| DC | $50.84 | 1 |
| DE | $43.61 | 1 |
| FL | $43.06–$47.05 | 3 |
| GA | $40.53–$44.87 | 2 |
| GU | $48.43 | 1 |
| HI | $48.43 | 1 |
| IA | $40.53 | 1 |
| ID | $40.78 | 1 |
| IL | $41.63–$45.86 | 4 |
| IN | $41.04 | 1 |
| KS | $40.26 | 1 |
| KY | $40.15 | 1 |
| LA | $40.05–$42.18 | 2 |
| MA | $45.86–$51.06 | 2 |
| MD | $44.51–$50.84 | 3 |
| ME | $40.93–$43.41 | 2 |
| MI | $41.20–$43.56 | 2 |
| MN | $44.39 | 1 |
| MO | $39.27–$42.42 | 3 |
| MS | $39.00 | 1 |
| MT | $44.09 | 1 |
| NC | $41.40 | 1 |
| ND | $43.49 | 1 |
| NE | $40.79 | 1 |
| NH | $45.39 | 1 |
| NJ | $47.72–$50.24 | 2 |
| NM | $41.41 | 1 |
| NV | $43.96 | 1 |
| NY | $42.05–$52.05 | 5 |
| OH | $41.08 | 1 |
| OK | $40.15 | 1 |
| OR | $43.65–$47.82 | 2 |
| PA | $41.19–$45.86 | 2 |
| PR | $44.46 | 1 |
| RI | $45.29 | 1 |
| SC | $41.30 | 1 |
| SD | $43.42 | 1 |
| TN | $40.46 | 1 |
| TX | $40.89–$46.01 | 8 |
| UT | $41.90 | 1 |
| VA | $43.20–$50.84 | 2 |
| VI | $44.46 | 1 |
| VT | $43.25 | 1 |
| WA | $45.80–$52.21 | 2 |
| WI | $41.94 | 1 |
| WV | $39.97 | 1 |
| WY | $43.83 | 1 |
How the 72081 rate is calculated
Each of 72081’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 · 72081
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.25
0.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.04
1.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 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 Iowa inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,961
- Code
- 72081
- Physician work
- 0.25
- Practice expense
- 1.04
- Malpractice
- 0.03
GPCI2026.csv
53
- Locality
- Iowa
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.915
- Malpractice
- 0.397
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.25 | × 1.000 | 0.2500 |
| Practice expense | 1.04 | × 0.915 | 0.9516 |
| Malpractice | 0.03 | × 0.397 | 0.0119 |
| Total RVUs | 1.2135 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Iowa$40.53
Office: (0.25 × 1 + 1.04 × 0.915 + 0.03 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $40.53
Payment rules and modifiers for 72081
The CMS indicators that decide how 72081 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72081
Spine X-ray, entire spine, one view
| 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
72081 without 26 · national office
$44.09
Spine X-ray, entire spine, one view
72081-26 · Professional component
$12.69
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72081 has changed in Iowa
72081 · Office / nonfacility
$40.53
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.00 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $38.53 to $40.53 (5.2%).
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
$38.53changed to$40.53
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
- Practice expense RVU 1.01 changed to 1.04
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
- Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$39.35changed to$38.53
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.01
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$38.71changed to$39.35
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$39.95changed to$38.71
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$40.37changed to$39.95
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 1.00
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
- Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$39.43changed to$40.37
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$38.82changed to$39.43
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.89 changed to 0.95
- Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$37.61changed to$38.82
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.85 changed to 0.89
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
- Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$35.94changed to$37.61
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.85
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$36.05changed to$35.94
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.81 changed to 0.80
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$35.50changed to$36.05
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.81
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged to$35.50
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $40.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $40.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $40.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $40.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $38.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $38.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $38.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $38.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $39.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $39.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $39.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $39.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $38.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $39.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $39.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $39.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $39.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $40.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $40.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $40.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $40.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $39.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $39.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $39.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $39.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $38.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $38.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $38.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $38.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $37.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $37.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $37.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $37.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $35.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $35.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $35.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $35.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $36.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $36.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $36.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $36.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $35.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $35.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $35.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $35.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the Iowa rate applies
Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Ackley
- Ackworth
- Adair
- Adel
- Afton
- Agency
- Ainsworth
- Akron
72081 billing questions
When should this code be chosen over 72082?
Use this code for one view of the entire spine. Code 72082 represents an entire-spine study with two or three views.
Does a scoliosis diagnosis automatically support this code?
No. The documented study must cover the entire spine and consist of one view; the diagnosis alone does not determine the code.
Can the interpretation be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and report. Without a modifier, the code represents the global service.
What does modifier TC represent?
Modifier TC identifies the technical portion, including the equipment and staff used to acquire the radiograph.
Are the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions separate units?
No. This code describes one view of the entire spine, not separate units for each spinal region included in that image.
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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