CPT code 72128: Spine CT, thoracic, no contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
A noncontrast CT of the thoracic spine captures detailed bony anatomy, often for suspected fracture or evaluation of other thoracic spinal abnormalities.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $122.83 for 72128 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72128 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 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.
How New Mexico compares for 72128
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72128 runs from $115.71 in Arkansas to $174.85 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $122.83. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$122.83
- Los Angeles, CA · California$148.24+$25.41
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$149.24+$26.41
- Miami, FL · Florida$137.74+$14.91
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$134.00+$11.17
- Manhattan, NY · New York$149.15+$26.32
- Alaska · Alaska$151.77+$28.94
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $117.35 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $115.71 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $126.98 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $139.11 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $138.89 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $161.45 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $147.62 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $139.65 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $145.87 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $145.33 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $148.83 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $171.14 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $171.06 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $174.85 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $174.53 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $142.97 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $150.33 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $145.90 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $151.86 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $161.33 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $138.87 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $136.24 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $138.74 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $129.05 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $133.39 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $127.25 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $132.35 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $120.43 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $142.32 | — |
| IowaIowa | $120.76 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $121.42 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $125.02 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $123.30 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $134.87 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $122.11 | — |
| KansasKansas | $119.97 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $119.50 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $124.97 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $119.22 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $149.82 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $135.36 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $138.29 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $131.54 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $121.76 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $128.54 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $128.54 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $122.28 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $131.38 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $124.40 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $125.70 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $117.07 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $116.42 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $130.26 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $123.04 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $128.87 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $121.48 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $133.87 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $147.72 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $140.56 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $129.97 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $152.35 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $141.27 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $150.72 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $124.81 | — |
| OhioOhio | $122.00 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $119.56 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $140.76 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $129.19 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $135.21 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $122.33 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $131.28 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $133.77 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $122.68 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $128.71 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $120.52 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $135.58 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $121.53 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $129.15 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $129.85 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $128.92 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $129.46 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $130.74 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $125.18 | — |
| UtahUtah | $124.31 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $127.96 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $131.28 | — |
| VermontVermont | $128.16 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $135.18 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $153.08 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $124.65 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $118.80 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $129.66 | — |
72128 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.
$115.71
$156.86
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 | $151.77 | 1 |
| AL | $117.35 | 1 |
| AR | $115.71 | 1 |
| AZ | $126.98 | 1 |
| CA | $138.87–$174.85 | 29 |
| CO | $136.24 | 1 |
| CT | $138.74 | 1 |
| DC | $149.24 | 1 |
| DE | $129.05 | 1 |
| FL | $127.25–$137.74 | 3 |
| GA | $120.43–$132.35 | 2 |
| GU | $142.32 | 1 |
| HI | $142.32 | 1 |
| IA | $120.76 | 1 |
| ID | $121.42 | 1 |
| IL | $123.30–$134.87 | 4 |
| IN | $122.11 | 1 |
| KS | $119.97 | 1 |
| KY | $119.50 | 1 |
| LA | $119.22–$124.97 | 2 |
| MA | $135.36–$149.82 | 2 |
| MD | $131.54–$149.24 | 3 |
| ME | $121.76–$128.54 | 2 |
| MI | $122.28–$128.54 | 2 |
| MN | $131.38 | 1 |
| MO | $117.07–$125.70 | 3 |
| MS | $116.42 | 1 |
| MT | $130.26 | 1 |
| NC | $123.04 | 1 |
| ND | $128.87 | 1 |
| NE | $121.48 | 1 |
| NH | $133.87 | 1 |
| NJ | $140.56–$147.72 | 2 |
| NM | $122.83 | 1 |
| NV | $129.97 | 1 |
| NY | $124.81–$152.35 | 5 |
| OH | $122.00 | 1 |
| OK | $119.56 | 1 |
| OR | $129.19–$140.76 | 2 |
| PA | $122.33–$135.21 | 2 |
| PR | $131.28 | 1 |
| RI | $133.77 | 1 |
| SC | $122.68 | 1 |
| SD | $128.71 | 1 |
| TN | $120.52 | 1 |
| TX | $121.53–$135.58 | 8 |
| UT | $124.31 | 1 |
| VA | $127.96–$149.24 | 2 |
| VI | $131.28 | 1 |
| VT | $128.16 | 1 |
| WA | $135.18–$153.08 | 2 |
| WI | $124.65 | 1 |
| WV | $118.80 | 1 |
| WY | $129.66 | 1 |
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.
How the rate is built · 72128
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.98
0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.85
2.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.9000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$130.26
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
7,994
- Code
- 72128
- Physician work
- 0.98
- Practice expense
- 2.85
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.98 | × 1.000 | 0.9800 |
| Practice expense | 2.85 | × 0.917 | 2.6135 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 1.201 | 0.0841 |
| Total RVUs | 3.6775 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, New Mexico$122.83
Office: (0.98 × 1 + 2.85 × 0.917 + 0.07 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $122.83
Payment rules and modifiers for 72128
The CMS indicators that decide how 72128 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72128
Spine CT, thoracic, no contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| 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
72128 without 26 · national office
$130.26
Spine CT, thoracic, no contrast
72128-26 · Professional component
$46.43
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72128 has changed in New Mexico
72128 · Office / nonfacility
$122.83
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $119.42 to $122.83 (2.9%).
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
$119.42changed to$122.83
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.00 changed to 0.98
- Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.85
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
- Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$124.19changed to$119.42
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 2.93 changed to 2.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$122.16changed to$124.19
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$126.65changed to$122.16
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.93
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$128.81changed to$126.65
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 2.97
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$132.06changed to$128.81
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.03 changed to 2.96
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$147.50changed to$132.06
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.03
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
No ratechanged to$147.50
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$198.43changed toNo rate
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D, RVU19A, RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $198.43
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $122.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $122.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $122.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $122.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $119.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $119.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $119.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $119.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $124.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $124.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $124.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $124.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $122.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $126.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $126.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $126.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $126.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $128.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $128.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $128.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $128.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $132.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $132.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $132.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $132.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $147.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $147.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $147.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $147.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Additional calculation required | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $198.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $198.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $198.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $198.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
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
72128 billing questions
When should 72128 be chosen over 72129 or 72130?
Use 72128 when the thoracic spine CT is performed without contrast. 72129 describes a contrast study, while 72130 is for a study performed both without and with contrast.
Can the interpretation and scanner service be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does the multiple-procedure reduction affect only the technical component?
No. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.
What documentation supports reporting 72128?
The order and imaging report should support a thoracic spine CT performed without contrast. The report should identify the thoracic region examined and document the findings.
Is a thoracic spine MRI reported with 72128?
No. 72128 is for CT; thoracic spine MRI is reported with the applicable MRI code, such as 72146 for a study without contrast.
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
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