CPT code 72120: Lumbar X-ray, bending views only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware
Reports lumbar spine radiographs limited to bending views, typically obtained to assess motion when spinal instability is suspected.
In Delaware, Medicare pays $41.64 for 72120 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72120 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 72120 covers
This service covers lumbar and lumbosacral X-rays taken in bending positions, commonly flexion and extension, without a routine complete series. A clinician may order these views when symptoms or examination raise concern for abnormal movement, such as possible lumbar instability. A radiologic technologist obtains the images, and a qualified practitioner interprets them. The service may be performed in an imaging center, hospital, or office with radiography equipment.
Report 72120 when the study consists of bending views only; use the documented examination and images to distinguish it from a complete lumbar series that also includes bending views. The record should support the reason for dynamic imaging and include the interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. Billing without either modifier represents the global service, including both components.
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 72120
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72120 runs from $36.91 in Arkansas to $57.75 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $41.64. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Delaware · this page$41.64
- Los Angeles, CA · California$48.44+$6.80
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$48.66+$7.02
- Miami, FL · Florida$44.52+$2.88
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$43.17+$1.53
- Manhattan, NY · New York$48.50+$6.86
- Alaska · Alaska$47.53+$5.89
Other areas in Delaware first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $37.49 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $36.91 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $40.92 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $45.26 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $53.14 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $48.29 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $45.42 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $47.64 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $47.46 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $48.73 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $56.50 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $56.47 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $57.75 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $57.66 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $46.68 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $49.32 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $47.68 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $49.83 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $53.11 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $45.20 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $44.22 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $45.01 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $43.07 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $40.91 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $42.79 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $38.50 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $46.52 | — |
| IowaIowa | $38.76 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $38.98 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $40.01 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $39.47 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $43.58 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $39.23 | — |
| KansasKansas | $38.45 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $38.21 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $40.15 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $38.10 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $48.97 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $43.89 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $44.87 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $42.51 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $39.08 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $41.53 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $41.34 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $39.18 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $42.61 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $39.97 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $40.44 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $37.32 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $37.13 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $42.08 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $39.54 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $41.69 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $39.02 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $43.41 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $48.08 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $45.60 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $39.36 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $42.01 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $49.61 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $45.81 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $49.09 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $40.17 | — |
| OhioOhio | $39.10 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $38.26 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $45.85 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $41.75 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $43.75 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $39.23 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $42.45 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $43.28 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $39.37 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $41.64 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $38.65 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $44.02 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $38.94 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $41.68 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $41.92 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $41.58 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $41.79 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $42.15 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $40.27 | — |
| UtahUtah | $39.95 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $41.30 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $42.45 | — |
| VermontVermont | $41.41 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $43.84 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $50.12 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $40.18 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $37.87 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $41.91 | — |
72120 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.
$36.91
$51.48
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 | $47.53 | 1 |
| AL | $37.49 | 1 |
| AR | $36.91 | 1 |
| AZ | $40.92 | 1 |
| CA | $45.20–$57.75 | 29 |
| CO | $44.22 | 1 |
| CT | $45.01 | 1 |
| DC | $48.66 | 1 |
| DE | $41.64 | 1 |
| FL | $40.91–$44.52 | 3 |
| GA | $38.50–$42.79 | 2 |
| GU | $46.52 | 1 |
| HI | $46.52 | 1 |
| IA | $38.76 | 1 |
| ID | $38.98 | 1 |
| IL | $39.47–$43.58 | 4 |
| IN | $39.23 | 1 |
| KS | $38.45 | 1 |
| KY | $38.21 | 1 |
| LA | $38.10–$40.15 | 2 |
| MA | $43.89–$48.97 | 2 |
| MD | $42.51–$48.66 | 3 |
| ME | $39.08–$41.53 | 2 |
| MI | $39.18–$41.34 | 2 |
| MN | $42.61 | 1 |
| MO | $37.32–$40.44 | 3 |
| MS | $37.13 | 1 |
| MT | $42.08 | 1 |
| NC | $39.54 | 1 |
| ND | $41.69 | 1 |
| NE | $39.02 | 1 |
| NH | $43.41 | 1 |
| NJ | $45.60–$48.08 | 2 |
| NM | $39.36 | 1 |
| NV | $42.01 | 1 |
| NY | $40.17–$49.61 | 5 |
| OH | $39.10 | 1 |
| OK | $38.26 | 1 |
| OR | $41.75–$45.85 | 2 |
| PA | $39.23–$43.75 | 2 |
| PR | $42.45 | 1 |
| RI | $43.28 | 1 |
| SC | $39.37 | 1 |
| SD | $41.64 | 1 |
| TN | $38.65 | 1 |
| TX | $38.94–$44.02 | 8 |
| UT | $39.95 | 1 |
| VA | $41.30–$48.66 | 2 |
| VI | $42.45 | 1 |
| VT | $41.41 | 1 |
| WA | $43.84–$50.12 | 2 |
| WI | $40.18 | 1 |
| WV | $37.87 | 1 |
| WY | $41.91 | 1 |
How the 72120 rate is calculated
Each of 72120’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 · 72120
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.03
1.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.2600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$42.09
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
7,982
- Code
- 72120
- Physician work
- 0.21
- Practice expense
- 1.03
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
40
- Locality
- Delaware
- Physician work
- 1.005
- Practice expense
- 0.988
- Malpractice
- 0.899
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.21 | × 1.005 | 0.2110 |
| Practice expense | 1.03 | × 0.988 | 1.0176 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.899 | 0.0180 |
| Total RVUs | 1.2467 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Delaware$41.64
Office: (0.21 × 1.005 + 1.03 × 0.988 + 0.02 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $41.64
Payment rules and modifiers for 72120
The CMS indicators that decide how 72120 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72120
Lumbar X-ray, bending views only
| 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
72120 without 26 · national office
$42.09
Lumbar X-ray, bending views only
72120-26 · Professional component
$10.69
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72120 has changed in Delaware
72120 · Office / nonfacility
$41.64
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $39.24 to $41.64 (6.1%).
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
$39.24changed to$41.64
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
- Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.03
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$40.38changed to$39.24
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$39.72changed to$40.38
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$41.59changed to$39.72
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- 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
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$42.95changed to$41.59
- 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.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$42.24changed to$42.95
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.98
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$40.78changed to$42.24
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.87 changed to 0.95
- 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.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$44.41changed to$40.78
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.87
- 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.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$42.16changed to$44.41
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.91 changed to 0.97
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$41.87changed to$42.16
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.91
- 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.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$41.60changed to$41.87
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.89 changed to 0.90
- 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.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$41.79changed to$41.60
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 0.87 changed to 0.89
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$41.58changed to$41.79
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$42.70changed to$41.58
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.87
- Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
- Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$45.08changed to$42.70
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 0.90
- Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
- Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $45.08
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $41.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $41.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $41.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $41.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $39.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $39.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $39.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $39.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $40.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $40.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $40.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $40.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $39.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $41.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $41.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $41.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $41.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $42.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $42.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $42.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $42.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $42.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $42.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $42.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $42.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $40.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $40.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $40.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $40.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $44.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $44.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $44.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $44.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $42.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $42.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $42.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $42.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $41.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $41.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $41.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $41.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $41.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $41.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $41.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $41.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $41.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $41.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $41.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $41.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $42.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $42.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $42.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $42.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $45.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $45.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $45.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $45.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
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
72120 billing questions
When should 72120 be reported instead of 72114?
Use 72120 for bending views only. Use 72114 when the examination includes a complete lumbar series with bending views.
Can the interpretation and imaging service be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports 72120?
The record should support the clinical reason for dynamic imaging and show that the study consisted of bending views only. The interpreting practitioner’s report should document the findings.
Is 72120 for routine lumbar views?
No. It is for bending views only; routine views as part of a broader lumbar examination point to a different radiography code based on the study performed.
Who typically performs and interprets this study?
A radiologic technologist generally obtains the images, while a qualified practitioner interprets them. The service may be performed in an imaging center, hospital, or properly equipped office.
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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