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CPT code 72133: Lumbar CT, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports lumbar spine CT imaging acquired before and after contrast when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced sequences are performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality4K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $194.81 for 72133 in the office.

$194.81Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.0%vs the national office rate ($196.73)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72133 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 72133 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 72133 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 72133 covers

This service covers CT imaging of the lumbar spine both before and after contrast administration, with a radiologist interpreting the study. It may be ordered to assess lumbar findings such as suspected infection, a mass, or postoperative change when the requested examination includes both imaging protocols. Services may be performed in a hospital or outpatient imaging center equipped for CT.

Report this code when the documented examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced lumbar CT imaging; a single phase calls for the corresponding without-contrast or with-contrast code instead. The report should support the lumbar anatomy imaged and both portions of the examination. CMS allows billing globally, or separately for the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC. The diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both 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 Delaware compares for 72133

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72133 runs from $173.80 in Arkansas to $267.21 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $194.81. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72133 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$194.81
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$225.29+$30.48
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$226.42+$31.61
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$207.57+$12.76
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$201.68+$6.87
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$225.82+$31.01
  7. Alaska · Alaska$225.99+$31.18

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

Every other payment area

72133 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$176.39—
ArkansasArkansas$173.80—
ArizonaArizona$191.58—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$210.96—
Chico, CACalifornia$210.66—
El Centro, CACalifornia$210.68—
Fresno, CACalifornia$210.66—
Hanford, CACalifornia$210.66—

72133 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.

$173.80

$238.94

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

View every state and territory as a table
72133 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$225.991
AL$176.391
AR$173.801
AZ$191.581
CA$210.66–$267.2129
CO$206.321
CT$209.921
DC$226.421
DE$194.811
FL$191.54–$207.573
GA$180.86–$199.902
GU$216.331
HI$216.331
IA$181.971
ID$182.961
IL$185.17–$203.454
IN$184.071
KS$180.621
KY$179.571
LA$179.09–$188.152
MA$204.86–$227.652
MD$198.73–$226.423
ME$183.41–$194.252
MI$183.87–$193.462
MN$199.031
MO$175.63–$189.433
MS$174.781
MT$196.731
NC$185.441
ND$194.951
NE$183.131
NH$202.601
NJ$212.69–$223.912
NM$184.691
NV$196.381
NY$188.22–$230.745
OH$183.501
OK$179.761
OR$195.23–$213.532
PA$184.08–$204.302
PR$198.361
RI$202.221
SC$184.701
SD$194.741
TN$181.481
TX$182.81–$205.318
UT$187.291
VA$193.26–$226.422
VI$198.361
VT$193.721
WA$204.62–$232.832
WI$188.251
WV$178.071
WY$195.951

See 72133 in every payment locality

How the 72133 rate is calculated

Each of 72133’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 · 72133

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.24

1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.56

4.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$196.73

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,009

Code
72133
Physician work
1.24
Practice expense
4.56
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 72133 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.24× 1.0051.2462
Practice expense4.56× 0.9884.5053
Malpractice0.09× 0.8990.0809
Total RVUs5.8324
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$194.81

Office: (1.24 × 1.005 + 4.56 × 0.988 + 0.09 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $194.81

Open 72133 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72133

The CMS indicators that decide how 72133 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72133

Lumbar 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

72133 without 26 · national office

$196.73

Lumbar CT, without and with contrast

72133-26 · Professional component

$58.45

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 72133

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

Codes related to 72133
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Same family
72131Lumbar CT, without contrastLumbar CT counterpart for imaging performed without contrast.$128.72
72132Spine CT, lumbar, with contrastLumbar CT counterpart for imaging performed with contrast only.$167.06
72130Thoracic spine CT, without and with contrastThoracic spine counterpart using the same combined contrast protocol.$196.13
72127Cervical spine CT, without and with contrastCervical spine counterpart using the same combined contrast protocol.$194.15
Used instead
72158Lumbar MRI, without and with contrastMRI alternative for lumbar spine imaging performed without and with contrast.$315.28

How 72133 has changed in Delaware

72133 · Office / nonfacility

$194.81

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.02 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $192.79 to $194.81 (1.0%).

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

    $192.79changed to$194.81

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.27 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 4.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $201.69changed to$192.79

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.73 changed to 4.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $198.40changed to$201.69

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $210.00changed to$198.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.80 changed to 4.73
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $217.14changed to$210.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $222.64changed to$217.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.94 changed to 4.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $236.98changed to$222.64

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.11 changed to 4.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    No ratechanged to$236.98

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $279.30changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $279.48changed to$279.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $280.22changed to$279.48

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 6.25 changed to 6.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $280.10changed to$280.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.23 changed to 6.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $278.71changed to$280.10

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $297.32changed to$278.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.69 changed to 6.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $330.07changed to$297.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 8.01 changed to 6.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $330.07

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$194.81Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$194.81Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$194.81Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$194.81Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$192.79Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$192.79Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$192.79Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$192.79Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$201.69Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$201.69Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$201.69Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$201.69Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$198.40Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$210.00Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$210.00Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$210.00Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$210.00Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$217.14Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$217.14Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$217.14Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$217.14Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$222.64Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$222.64Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$222.64Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$222.64Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$236.98Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$236.98Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$236.98Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$236.98Not 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$279.30Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$279.30Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$279.30Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$279.30Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$279.48Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$279.48Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$279.48Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$279.48Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$280.22Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$280.22Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$280.22Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$280.22Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$280.10Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$280.10Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$278.71Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$278.71Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$297.32Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$297.32Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$297.32Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$297.32Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$330.07Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$330.07Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$330.07Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$330.07Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72133 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

72133 billing questions

When should this code be selected instead of 72131 or 72132?

Use this code when the lumbar CT includes imaging both before and after contrast. Use 72131 for a noncontrast study and 72132 for a study performed with contrast only.

Can 72131 and 72132 also be reported for the same examination?

Do not report those codes in addition to this code simply to represent the two phases of one combined examination. This code represents the lumbar CT performed both before and after contrast.

How are the professional and technical services billed?

Report the global service without a component modifier, or use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. CMS identifies both components as separately priced.

What documentation supports reporting the combined study?

The imaging report should identify the lumbar spine examination and document that both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging were performed.

Can the multiple-procedure reduction affect either component?

Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.

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 72133PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,009 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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