CPT code 72131: Lumbar CT, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $129.93 for 72131 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $115.42–$174.37.

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

What 72131 covers

This service uses computed tomography to produce cross-sectional images of the lumbar spine without administered contrast. It is commonly used to evaluate suspected vertebral fracture, define bony anatomy, or assess spinal instrumentation. A technologist performs the scan in a hospital or outpatient imaging center, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets the images. The clinical order and report should identify the lumbar region and the diagnostic question addressed.

Choose this code when the documented examination is a lumbar spine CT without contrast; use a contrast-specific code when the protocol includes contrast. The global service includes image acquisition and interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when applicable. Documentation should support the body region, contrast protocol, and interpretation.

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 72131 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

72131 rates by state

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

How the 72131 rate is calculated

Each of 72131’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 72131

The CMS indicators that decide how 72131 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72131 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72132Spine CTLumbar, with contrast

72131 is for lumbar CT without contrast; 72132 is for lumbar CT with contrast.

72133Lumbar CTWithout and with contrast

72133 describes lumbar CT performed both without and with contrast. Do not use it for a study performed only without contrast.

72148Lumbar spine MRIWithout contrast

72148 is lumbar MRI without contrast, not CT. Select between them according to the imaging modality performed.

72100Lumbar spine X-rayTwo or three views

72100 reports lumbar radiographs with two or three views. It is not the cross-sectional CT service represented by 72131.

Codes related to 72131

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