CPT code 72127: Cervical spine CT, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana

Reports a cervical spine CT with image acquisition both before and after contrast, often selected when evaluation requires bone detail and contrast-enhanced findings.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2K Medicare services in 2024

In Montana, Medicare pays $196.06 for 72127 in the office.

$196.06Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+0.0%vs the national office rate ($196.06)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72127 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 72127 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Montana
  2. What 72127 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 72127 covers

This study images the cervical vertebrae and surrounding structures using CT, with acquisitions made before and after contrast administration. It may be selected when the clinical question, such as suspected infection or a tumor, calls for both noncontrast bone detail and assessment of contrast-enhanced findings. A radiologic technologist typically performs the scan, and a radiologist interprets the images in a hospital or imaging center.

Report this code when the same cervical spine CT examination includes both noncontrast and post-contrast imaging; the two phases are represented by one code. Use the contrast-only or noncontrast-only cervical CT code when only that acquisition is performed. Documentation should support the cervical anatomy examined, both imaging phases, and the indication. The service has professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff service, and no component modifier represents the global service. CMS diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable.

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 Montana compares for 72127

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72127 runs from $173.22 in Arkansas to $266.25 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $196.06. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72127 in Montana vs other payment areas
  1. Montana · this page$196.06
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$224.50+$28.44
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$225.63+$29.57
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$206.88+$10.82
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$201.00+$4.94
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$225.04+$28.98
  7. Alaska · Alaska$225.28+$29.22

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

Every other payment area

72127 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$175.80—
ArkansasArkansas$173.22—
ArizonaArizona$190.93—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$210.23—
Chico, CACalifornia$209.93—
El Centro, CACalifornia$209.95—
Fresno, CACalifornia$209.93—
Hanford, CACalifornia$209.93—

72127 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.

$173.22

$238.09

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

View every state and territory as a table
72127 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$225.281
AL$175.801
AR$173.221
AZ$190.931
CA$209.93–$266.2529
CO$205.611
CT$209.201
DC$225.631
DE$194.151
FL$190.90–$206.883
GA$180.26–$199.222
GU$215.571
HI$215.571
IA$181.361
ID$182.351
IL$184.56–$202.774
IN$183.451
KS$180.011
KY$178.981
LA$178.50–$187.532
MA$204.15–$226.852
MD$198.05–$225.633
ME$182.80–$193.592
MI$183.26–$192.822
MN$198.341
MO$175.06–$188.793
MS$174.201
MT$196.061
NC$184.821
ND$194.281
NE$182.521
NH$201.901
NJ$211.96–$223.142
NM$184.081
NV$195.711
NY$187.59–$229.955
OH$182.891
OK$179.171
OR$194.56–$212.792
PA$183.46–$203.612
PR$197.691
RI$201.531
SC$184.091
SD$194.071
TN$180.871
TX$182.20–$204.608
UT$186.661
VA$192.60–$225.632
VI$197.691
VT$193.061
WA$203.92–$232.012
WI$187.611
WV$177.491
WY$195.281

See 72127 in every payment locality

How the 72127 rate is calculated

Each of 72127’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 · 72127

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.24

1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.54

4.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$196.06

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

The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,991

Code
72127
Physician work
1.24
Practice expense
4.54
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

71

Locality
Montana
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.998
Office calculation for 72127 in Montana
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.24× 1.0001.2400
Practice expense4.54× 1.0004.5400
Malpractice0.09× 0.9980.0898
Total RVUs5.8698
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Montana$196.06

Office: (1.24 × 1 + 4.54 × 1 + 0.09 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $196.06

Open 72127 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72127

The CMS indicators that decide how 72127 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72127

Cervical spine CT, without and with contrast

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

72127 without 26 · national office

$196.06

Cervical spine CT, without and with contrast

72127-26 · Professional component

$58.12

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 72127 has changed in Montana

72127 · Office / nonfacility

$196.06

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $193.38 to $196.06 (1.4%).

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

    $193.38changed to$196.06

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.27 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense RVU 4.63 changed to 4.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $202.32changed to$193.38

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.72 changed to 4.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $199.02changed to$202.32

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $208.00changed to$199.02

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 4.72
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $213.79changed to$208.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.81 changed to 4.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $218.73changed to$213.79

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.94 changed to 4.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $234.63changed to$218.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.14 changed to 4.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    No ratechanged to$234.63

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $276.85changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $274.70changed to$276.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 6.27 changed to 6.29
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $273.48changed to$274.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $272.59changed to$273.48

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.23 changed to 6.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $271.23changed to$272.59

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $288.13changed to$271.23

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.68 changed to 6.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $318.74changed to$288.13

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.01 changed to 6.68
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $318.74

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$196.06Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$196.06Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$196.06Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$196.06Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$193.38Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$193.38Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$193.38Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$193.38Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$202.32Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$202.32Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$202.32Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$202.32Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$199.02Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$208.00Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$208.00Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$208.00Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$208.00Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$213.79Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$213.79Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$213.79Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$213.79Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$218.73Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$218.73Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$218.73Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$218.73Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$234.63Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$234.63Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$234.63Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$234.63Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$276.85Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$276.85Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$276.85Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$276.85Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$274.70Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$274.70Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$274.70Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$274.70Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$273.48Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$273.48Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$273.48Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$273.48Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$272.59Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$272.59Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$271.23Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$271.23Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$288.13Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$288.13Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$288.13Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$288.13Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$318.74Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$318.74Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$318.74Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$318.74Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72127 for an earlier date of service

Where the Montana rate applies

Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Absarokee
  • Acton
  • Alberton
  • Alder
  • Alzada
  • Amsterdam
  • Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
  • Antelope

Browse all communities in Montana

72127 billing questions

When should this code be selected instead of 72125 or 72126?

The combined examination is reported with this code when both phases are performed as one cervical spine CT study; do not separately report the two phases as 72125 and 72126 for that same study.

How are the professional and technical services billed?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

Does a multiple procedure reduction affect this code?

CMS diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable.

What documentation supports reporting the combined examination?

Document the cervical spine study, the clinical indication, and that imaging was performed both before and after contrast. The record should support why both phases were obtained.

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 72127PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,991 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MontanaGPCI2026.csv, line 71 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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