CPT code 72110: Lumbar spine X-ray, minimum of four views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $53.44 for 72110 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $46.74–$73.38.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 72110 covers

This study images the lumbosacral spine in at least four projections. A typical series adds right and left oblique views, which show the pars interarticularis, to frontal and lateral views, sometimes with a focused lateral view of the L5-S1 junction. Radiologic technologists acquire the images in orthopedic and spine practices, urgent care, imaging centers, and hospital outpatient departments. A radiologist or interpreting specialist reviews them and documents the findings.

Select the code by the views performed and documented. Two or three views fall to 72100. A complete study with bending views and at least six views falls to 72114; bending views alone fall to 72120. Documentation should identify the views, findings, and interpretation. Under the Medicare physician fee schedule, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment-and-staff portion. A practice providing both portions bills the global service without a modifier. For hospital outpatient images, the interpreting physician bills with modifier 26, while the hospital bills its facility imaging 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.

Where 72110 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

72110 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 72110 rate is calculated

Each of 72110’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 72110

The CMS indicators that decide how 72110 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72110 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72100Lumbar spine X-rayTwo or three views

72100 covers two or three lumbosacral views. 72110 requires at least four, often including both obliques. The documented view count decides between them.

72114Spine X-raySix or more views

72114 is a complete series that includes bending views and totals at least six views. 72110 requires at least four views but has no bending requirement.

72120Lumbar X-rayBending views only

72120 covers two or three bending views alone, without the standard static series. 72110 covers a lumbosacral study with at least four views; a complete bending study with at least six views is 72114.

72148Lumbar spine MRIWithout contrast

72148 is a lumbar MRI without contrast for disc and nerve root evaluation. 72110 is plain radiography showing alignment, bone, and disc space height.

Codes related to 72110

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates