CPT code 72128: Spine CT, thoracic, no contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

Medicare pays $138.87–$174.85 for 72128 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.

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

What 72128 covers

This study uses computed tomography to create cross-sectional images of the thoracic spine without contrast material. It is commonly performed in a hospital or imaging center when clinicians need detailed bony evaluation, such as after trauma with suspected vertebral fracture or when radiographs do not adequately show a thoracic spinal abnormality. A radiologist interprets the images; the technical service includes the scanner, acquisition, and supporting staff.

Report this code for a thoracic spine CT performed without contrast, not for a cervical or lumbar study or a scan that includes contrast. The imaging report and order should support the body region and contrast protocol. A claim without a component modifier represents the global service; modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, CMS applies the multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical 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.

Where 72128 pays more and less in California

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

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 72128 rate is calculated

Each of 72128’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 72128

The CMS indicators that decide how 72128 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72128 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72129Spine CTThoracic, with contrast

Choose 72129 when contrast is used for the thoracic spine CT; 72128 is for a study without contrast.

72130Thoracic spine CTWithout and with contrast

72130 applies when the thoracic spine is imaged both without and with contrast. 72128 applies when the study is performed only without contrast.

72146Spine MRIThoracic, without contrast

72146 describes thoracic spine MRI without contrast, not CT. Select based on the imaging modality actually performed.

Codes related to 72128

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