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CPT code 72126: CT spine, cervical, contrast only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports contrast-enhanced CT imaging of the cervical spine, commonly performed after myelography to evaluate the spinal canal and nerve roots.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality17.6K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $158.52 for 72126 in the office.

$158.52Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.8%vs the national office rate ($168.34)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72126 nationwide

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

We’ll open 72126 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 72126 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 72126 covers

This service is a CT examination of the cervical spine performed with contrast. It is commonly used after cervical myelography to assess the spinal canal and nerve roots, including when MRI is unsuitable or more detail is needed for a specific finding. A radiologist interprets the images; the technical service includes the scanner, acquisition, and supporting staff. The examination may be performed in a hospital or an imaging center.

Choose this code when the cervical CT uses contrast only. Use the sibling code for a study performed both before and after contrast, and the noncontrast sibling when no contrast is used. The order and report should support the cervical anatomy examined, the contrast protocol, and the clinical question. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, TC for the technical service, or neither for the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, the multiple procedure reduction applies to 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 New Mexico compares for 72126

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72126 runs from $149.17 in Arkansas to $226.83 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $158.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72126 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$158.52
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$191.94+$33.42
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$193.18+$34.66
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$178.09+$19.57
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$173.14+$14.62
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$192.99+$34.47
  7. Alaska · Alaska$195.03+$36.51

Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

72126 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$151.34—
ArkansasArkansas$149.17—
ArizonaArizona$164.01—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$179.98—
Chico, CACalifornia$179.68—
El Centro, CACalifornia$179.69—
Fresno, CACalifornia$179.68—
Hanford, CACalifornia$179.68—

72126 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$149.17

$203.26

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
72126 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$195.031
AL$151.341
AR$149.171
AZ$164.011
CA$179.68–$226.8329
CO$176.201
CT$179.441
DC$193.181
DE$166.731
FL$164.33–$178.093
GA$155.35–$171.072
GU$184.281
HI$184.281
IA$155.851
ID$156.711
IL$159.11–$174.334
IN$157.631
KS$154.791
KY$154.141
LA$153.77–$161.342
MA$175.02–$194.002
MD$170.00–$193.183
ME$157.16–$166.102
MI$157.80–$166.012
MN$169.871
MO$150.93–$162.323
MS$150.101
MT$168.331
NC$158.841
ND$166.551
NE$156.801
NH$173.111
NJ$181.78–$191.142
NM$158.521
NV$167.961
NY$161.17–$197.205
OH$157.441
OK$154.231
OR$166.95–$182.152
PA$157.88–$174.792
PR$169.681
RI$172.921
SC$158.341
SD$166.341
TN$155.521
TX$156.82–$175.368
UT$160.501
VA$165.32–$193.182
VI$169.681
VT$165.601
WA$174.79–$198.292
WI$160.991
WV$153.181
WY$167.561

See 72126 in every payment locality

How the 72126 rate is calculated

Each of 72126’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 · 72126

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.76

3.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.0400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$168.34

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,988

Code
72126
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.76
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 72126 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.76× 0.9173.4479
Malpractice0.09× 1.2010.1081
Total RVUs4.7460
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$158.52

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.76 × 0.917 + 0.09 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $158.52

Open 72126 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72126

The CMS indicators that decide how 72126 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72126

CT spine, cervical, contrast only

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

72126 without 26 · national office

$168.34

CT spine, cervical, contrast only

72126-26 · Professional component

$56.11

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 72126

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

Codes related to 72126
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Same family
72125Cervical spine CT, without contrastCervical CT sibling for examinations performed without contrast.$123.14
72127Cervical spine CT, without and with contrastCervical CT sibling for examinations performed both before and after contrast.$184.08
Often billed with
72240Myelography, cervical spineCervical myelography may accompany a post-myelography cervical CT.$105.74

How 72126 has changed in New Mexico

72126 · Office / nonfacility

$158.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.62 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $154.90 to $158.52 (2.3%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $154.90changed to$158.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 3.84 changed to 3.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $161.31changed to$154.90

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.89 changed to 3.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $158.67changed to$161.31

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $164.94changed to$158.67

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.94 changed to 3.89
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $167.93changed to$164.94

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.95 changed to 3.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $171.94changed to$167.93

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.06 changed to 3.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $185.04changed to$171.94

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.21 changed to 4.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $216.84changed to$185.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.10 changed to 4.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $218.26changed to$216.84

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.15 changed to 5.10

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $217.28changed to$218.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $216.13changed to$217.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.14 changed to 5.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $216.25changed to$216.13

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.12 changed to 5.14

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $215.18changed to$216.25

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $226.02changed to$215.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.45 changed to 5.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $247.42changed to$226.02

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.52 changed to 5.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $247.42

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$158.52Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$158.52Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$158.52Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$158.52Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$154.90Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$154.90Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$154.90Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$154.90Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$161.31Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$161.31Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$161.31Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$161.31Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$158.67Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$164.94Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$164.94Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$164.94Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$164.94Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$167.93Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$167.93Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$167.93Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$167.93Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$171.94Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$171.94Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$171.94Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$171.94Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$185.04Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$185.04Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$185.04Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$185.04Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$216.84Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$218.26Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$218.26Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$218.26Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$218.26Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$217.28Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$217.28Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$217.28Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$217.28Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$216.13Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$216.13Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$216.13Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$216.13Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$216.25Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$216.25Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$215.18Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$215.18Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$247.42Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$247.42Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$247.42Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$247.42Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72126 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

72126 billing questions

How does this differ from 72125?

72126 is for a cervical CT performed with contrast. Use 72125 when the examination is performed without contrast.

When should 72127 be used instead?

Use 72127 when the cervical CT includes imaging both before and after contrast. 72126 represents the contrast-only examination.

Can 72126 be reported with cervical myelography?

A cervical CT performed after myelography may be reported with the cervical myelography service when both are performed and documented. The CT code represents the CT examination, not the myelographic service.

Which modifier identifies the radiologist's interpretation?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical service; reporting without either modifier represents the global service.

What happens when multiple imaging services are performed?

CMS's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components. Apply the rule when billing the applicable component services.

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
RVUs for 72126PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,988 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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