CPT code 72081: Spine X-ray, entire spine, one view2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports a one-view radiographic study covering the entire spine, commonly obtained to assess scoliosis or overall spinal alignment.
Medicare pays $41.63–$45.86 for 72081 in the office in Illinois, from Rest of Illinois to Suburban Chicago, IL. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 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.
Where 72081 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$41.63 to $45.86
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $45.62 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis, IL | $42.33 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Illinois | $41.63 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $45.86 | Unavailable |
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.
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.
72081 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72020Spine X-raySingle view
- Both describe a one-view spine radiograph, but 72081 is for the entire spine; 72020 is used when the documented study is not an entire-spine examination.
- 72082Spine X-rayEntire spine, 2–3 views
- Both cover the entire spine. Choose 72081 for one view and 72082 for two or three views.
- 72083Spine X-rayEntire spine, 4–5 views
- This sibling covers four or five views of the entire spine; 72081 is limited to one view.
- 72084Full-spine X-raySix or more views
- This sibling covers six or more views of the entire spine; 72081 is for a single view.
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
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