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CPT code 72129: Spine CT, thoracic, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Wisconsin

Reports a contrast-enhanced CT of the thoracic spine when the ordered study uses contrast without a noncontrast acquisition.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality46K Medicare services in 2024

In Wisconsin, Medicare pays $161.95 for 72129 in the office.

$161.95Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−4.4%vs the national office rate ($169.34)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72129 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 72129 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Wisconsin
  2. What 72129 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 72129 covers

This service is a CT examination of the thoracic spine acquired after contrast administration, with images interpreted for vertebral and surrounding spinal findings. Radiology departments and imaging centers commonly perform it; a radiologist typically interprets the study. Clinical situations may include evaluation of a suspected enhancing vertebral or paraspinal abnormality, such as a neoplasm or infection, when the imaging protocol calls for contrast-only CT.

Select this code when the documented examination is of the thoracic spine and uses contrast without a separate noncontrast series. The order, imaging report, and protocol should support the spinal region and contrast technique; use the combined-study code when both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions are performed. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, 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 Wisconsin compares for 72129

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72129 runs from $150.04 in Arkansas to $228.27 in San Benito County, CA. Wisconsin pays $161.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72129 in Wisconsin vs other payment areas
  1. Wisconsin · this page$161.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$193.13+$31.18
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$194.36+$32.41
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$179.13+$17.18
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$174.15+$12.20
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$194.16+$32.21
  7. Alaska · Alaska$196.09+$34.14

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

Every other payment area

72129 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$152.21—
ArkansasArkansas$150.04—
ArizonaArizona$164.99—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$181.07—
Chico, CACalifornia$180.78—
El Centro, CACalifornia$180.79—
Fresno, CACalifornia$180.78—
Hanford, CACalifornia$180.78—

72129 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.

$150.04

$204.53

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

View every state and territory as a table
72129 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$196.091
AL$152.211
AR$150.041
AZ$164.991
CA$180.78–$228.2729
CO$177.261
CT$180.521
DC$194.361
DE$167.721
FL$165.28–$179.133
GA$156.25–$172.092
GU$185.421
HI$185.421
IA$156.771
ID$157.631
IL$160.02–$175.364
IN$158.561
KS$155.701
KY$155.041
LA$154.66–$162.282
MA$176.08–$195.202
MD$171.01–$194.363
ME$158.08–$167.092
MI$158.72–$166.972
MN$170.901
MO$151.80–$163.273
MS$150.961
MT$169.341
NC$159.781
ND$167.561
NE$157.731
NH$174.161
NJ$182.87–$192.312
NM$159.441
NV$168.971
NY$162.12–$198.395
OH$158.351
OK$155.131
OR$167.94–$183.262
PA$158.80–$175.832
PR$170.691
RI$173.951
SC$159.271
SD$167.351
TN$156.431
TX$157.74–$176.428
UT$161.441
VA$166.31–$194.362
VI$170.691
VT$166.591
WA$175.85–$199.522
WI$161.951
WV$154.051
WY$168.561

See 72129 in every payment locality

How the 72129 rate is calculated

Each of 72129’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 · 72129

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.19

1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.79

3.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.0700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$169.34

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

The exact Wisconsin inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,997

Code
72129
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.79
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

111

Locality
Wisconsin
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.958
Malpractice
0.308
Office calculation for 72129 in Wisconsin
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0001.1900
Practice expense3.79× 0.9583.6308
Malpractice0.09× 0.3080.0277
Total RVUs4.8485
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Wisconsin$161.95

Office: (1.19 × 1 + 3.79 × 0.958 + 0.09 × 0.308) × $33.4009 = $161.95

Open 72129 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72129

The CMS indicators that decide how 72129 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72129

Spine CT, thoracic, 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

72129 without 26 · national office

$169.34

Spine CT, thoracic, with contrast

72129-26 · Professional component

$56.11

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 72129

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

Codes related to 72129
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Wisconsin
Same family
72128Spine CT, thoracic, no contrastThoracic spine CT without contrast.$124.65
72130Thoracic spine CT, without and with contrastThoracic spine CT with both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions.$189.53
72132Spine CT, lumbar, with contrastLumbar spine CT with contrast; differs by spinal region.$161.31
Used instead
72147Thoracic MRI, with contrast onlyThoracic spine MRI with contrast, using a different imaging modality.$259.66

How 72129 has changed in Wisconsin

72129 · Office / nonfacility

$161.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $160.43 to $161.95 (0.9%).

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

    $160.43changed to$161.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 3.88 changed to 3.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.957 changed to 0.958
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.331 changed to 0.308

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $166.48changed to$160.43

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.92 changed to 3.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $163.76changed to$166.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $170.11changed to$163.76

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.97 changed to 3.92
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.950 changed to 0.957
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.314 changed to 0.331

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $173.11changed to$170.11

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.99 changed to 3.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.942 changed to 0.950
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.296 changed to 0.314

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $177.62changed to$173.11

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 3.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $190.40changed to$177.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.25 changed to 4.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.942
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.322 changed to 0.296

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $222.24changed to$190.40

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.14 changed to 4.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.957 changed to 0.949
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.322

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $223.38changed to$222.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.18 changed to 5.14

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $222.82changed to$223.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.956 changed to 0.957
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $221.40changed to$222.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.15 changed to 5.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.956
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.566 changed to 0.457

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $221.31changed to$221.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.13 changed to 5.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $220.20changed to$221.31

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $232.33changed to$220.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.45 changed to 5.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.958 changed to 0.955
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.557 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $256.93changed to$232.33

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.55 changed to 5.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.960 changed to 0.958
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.557

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$256.93

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$161.95Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$161.95Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$161.95Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$161.95Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$160.43Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$160.43Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$160.43Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$160.43Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$163.76Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$170.11Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$170.11Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$170.11Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$170.11Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$173.11Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$173.11Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$173.11Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$173.11Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$177.62Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$177.62Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$177.62Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$177.62Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$190.40Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$190.40Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$190.40Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$190.40Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$222.24Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$223.38Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$223.38Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$223.38Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$223.38Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$222.82Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$222.82Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$222.82Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$222.82Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$221.40Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$221.40Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$221.40Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$221.40Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$221.31Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$221.31Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$220.20Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$220.20Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$232.33Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$232.33Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$232.33Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$232.33Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$256.93Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72129 for an earlier date of service

Where the Wisconsin rate applies

Wisconsin is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 807 cities and communities in Wisconsin. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbotsford
  • Abrams
  • Adams
  • Adell
  • Albany
  • Algoma
  • Allens Grove
  • Allenton

Browse all communities in Wisconsin

72129 billing questions

When should this code be chosen instead of 72128?

Use 72129 for a contrast-only thoracic spine CT. Use 72128 when the thoracic spine CT is performed without contrast.

How does this differ from 72130?

72130 represents a thoracic spine CT performed both without and with contrast. This code is for the contrast-only examination.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. For multiple diagnostic imaging procedures, the CMS reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The order and imaging documentation should identify the thoracic spine and show that contrast was used without a noncontrast acquisition. The imaging report should support that the study was performed and interpreted.

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 72129PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,997 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for WisconsinGPCI2026.csv, line 111 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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