CPT code 72082: Spine X-ray, entire spine, 2–3 views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports radiographic imaging of the entire spine using two or three views, commonly to assess spinal alignment or deformity across multiple regions.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $67.38 for 72082 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72082 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 72082 covers
This service covers radiographs of the entire spine, with two or three views obtained to assess alignment across the spinal regions. It is commonly used when evaluating scoliosis, spinal curvature, or other alignment concerns that require imaging beyond a single spinal region. Imaging staff acquire the views, and a physician—often a radiologist or spine specialist—interprets the study. The service may be performed in an office imaging department or a hospital setting.
Select this code when the documented study covers the entire spine and includes two or three views. The imaging report and order should support the anatomic extent and view count; a study limited to the thoracolumbar region or a single spinal region points to a different code. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier for the global service. The interpretation documentation should support the physician’s findings for the submitted study.
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 North Carolina compares for 72082
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72082 runs from $62.75 in Arkansas to $99.32 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $67.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$67.38
- Los Angeles, CA · California$83.01+$15.63
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$83.29+$15.91
- Miami, FL · Florida$75.84+$8.46
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$73.48+$6.10
- Manhattan, NY · New York$82.89+$15.51
- Alaska · Alaska$80.32+$12.94
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $63.78 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $62.75 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $69.78 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $77.45 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $77.36 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $91.28 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $82.78 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $77.68 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $81.62 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $81.32 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $83.57 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $97.15 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $97.11 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $99.32 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $99.18 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $79.97 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $84.63 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $81.72 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $85.51 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $91.23 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $77.35 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $75.60 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $76.90 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $71.03 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $73.41 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $69.64 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $73.02 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $65.44 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $79.72 | — |
| IowaIowa | $66.04 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $66.42 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $67.96 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $67.09 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $74.30 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $66.86 | — |
| KansasKansas | $65.48 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $64.98 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $68.36 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $64.78 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $83.91 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $74.99 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $76.65 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $72.56 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $66.57 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $70.90 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $70.37 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $66.65 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $72.87 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $68.08 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $68.90 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $63.40 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $63.10 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $71.81 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $71.22 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $66.51 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $74.18 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $82.24 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $77.90 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $66.97 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $71.71 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $84.80 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $78.25 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $83.96 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $68.47 | — |
| OhioOhio | $66.53 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $65.08 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $78.46 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $71.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $74.68 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $66.77 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $72.47 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $73.90 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $67.04 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $71.15 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $65.82 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $75.24 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $66.27 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $71.12 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $71.52 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $70.92 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $71.29 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $71.84 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $68.61 | — |
| UtahUtah | $68.06 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $70.48 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $72.47 | — |
| VermontVermont | $70.71 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $74.92 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $85.93 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $68.57 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $64.28 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $71.55 | — |
72082 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.
$62.75
$88.34
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 | $80.32 | 1 |
| AL | $63.78 | 1 |
| AR | $62.75 | 1 |
| AZ | $69.78 | 1 |
| CA | $77.35–$99.32 | 29 |
| CO | $75.60 | 1 |
| CT | $76.90 | 1 |
| DC | $83.29 | 1 |
| DE | $71.03 | 1 |
| FL | $69.64–$75.84 | 3 |
| GA | $65.44–$73.02 | 2 |
| GU | $79.72 | 1 |
| HI | $79.72 | 1 |
| IA | $66.04 | 1 |
| ID | $66.42 | 1 |
| IL | $67.09–$74.30 | 4 |
| IN | $66.86 | 1 |
| KS | $65.48 | 1 |
| KY | $64.98 | 1 |
| LA | $64.78–$68.36 | 2 |
| MA | $74.99–$83.91 | 2 |
| MD | $72.56–$83.29 | 3 |
| ME | $66.57–$70.90 | 2 |
| MI | $66.65–$70.37 | 2 |
| MN | $72.87 | 1 |
| MO | $63.40–$68.90 | 3 |
| MS | $63.10 | 1 |
| MT | $71.81 | 1 |
| NC | $67.38 | 1 |
| ND | $71.22 | 1 |
| NE | $66.51 | 1 |
| NH | $74.18 | 1 |
| NJ | $77.90–$82.24 | 2 |
| NM | $66.97 | 1 |
| NV | $71.71 | 1 |
| NY | $68.47–$84.80 | 5 |
| OH | $66.53 | 1 |
| OK | $65.08 | 1 |
| OR | $71.27–$78.46 | 2 |
| PA | $66.77–$74.68 | 2 |
| PR | $72.47 | 1 |
| RI | $73.90 | 1 |
| SC | $67.04 | 1 |
| SD | $71.15 | 1 |
| TN | $65.82 | 1 |
| TX | $66.27–$75.24 | 8 |
| UT | $68.06 | 1 |
| VA | $70.48–$83.29 | 2 |
| VI | $72.47 | 1 |
| VT | $70.71 | 1 |
| WA | $74.92–$85.93 | 2 |
| WI | $68.57 | 1 |
| WV | $64.28 | 1 |
| WY | $71.55 | 1 |
How the 72082 rate is calculated
Each of 72082’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 · 72082
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.30
0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.82
1.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.1500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$71.81
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,964
- Code
- 72082
- Physician work
- 0.30
- Practice expense
- 1.82
- Malpractice
- 0.03
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.30 | × 1.000 | 0.3000 |
| Practice expense | 1.82 | × 0.933 | 1.6981 |
| Malpractice | 0.03 | × 0.639 | 0.0192 |
| Total RVUs | 2.0172 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$67.38
Office: (0.3 × 1 + 1.82 × 0.933 + 0.03 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $67.38
Payment rules and modifiers for 72082
The CMS indicators that decide how 72082 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72082
Spine X-ray, entire spine, 2–3 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
72082 without 26 · national office
$71.81
Spine X-ray, entire spine, 2–3 views
72082-26 · Professional component
$15.03
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72082 has changed in North Carolina
72082 · Office / nonfacility
$67.38
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.69 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $63.69 to $67.38 (5.8%).
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
$63.69changed to$67.38
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
- Practice expense RVU 1.77 changed to 1.82
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$65.54changed to$63.69
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$64.47changed to$65.54
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$66.86changed to$64.47
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$68.10changed to$66.86
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.76 changed to 1.77
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$66.76changed to$68.10
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.71 changed to 1.76
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$64.37changed to$66.76
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.56 changed to 1.71
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$61.92changed to$64.37
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.49 changed to 1.56
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$59.50changed to$61.92
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.49
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$59.36changed to$59.50
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$58.87changed to$59.36
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.42
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged to$58.87
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 | $67.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $67.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $67.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $67.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $63.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $63.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $63.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $63.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $65.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $65.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $65.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $65.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $64.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $66.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $66.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $66.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $66.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $68.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $68.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $68.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $68.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $66.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $66.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $66.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $66.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $64.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $64.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $64.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $64.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $61.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $61.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $61.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $61.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $59.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $59.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $59.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $59.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $59.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $59.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $59.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $59.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $58.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $58.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $58.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $58.87 | 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 North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
72082 billing questions
How does this differ from 72081 or 72083?
All three describe imaging of the entire spine, but the view count distinguishes them: 72081 is for one view, 72082 for two or three, and 72083 for four or five.
When should 72080 be used instead?
Use 72080 when the radiographic exam covers the thoracolumbar region rather than the entire spine. The documented anatomic coverage, not the reason for imaging alone, guides the choice.
How are the professional and technical portions reported?
Report modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Submit without either modifier when billing the global service.
What documentation supports this code?
The order and imaging report should establish that the study covers the entire spine and includes two or three views. The report should also document the interpreting physician’s findings.
Can a scoliosis evaluation support 72082?
Yes, when the radiographs cover the entire spine and the study consists of two or three views. A scoliosis diagnosis alone does not establish the required coverage or view count.
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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