CPT code 72141: Cervical MRI, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

Medicare pays $203.36–$256.02 for 72141 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 72141 covers

This service covers magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine without contrast material. The study produces detailed images of the neck portion of the spine and surrounding structures, often to assess symptoms such as neck pain with radiating arm symptoms, suspected disc disease, or possible spinal cord or nerve-root compression. A technologist typically performs the scan in an imaging center or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the images.

Select this code when the documented study is of the cervical spine and is performed without contrast; use a different code when contrast is administered or the study includes both pre- and post-contrast imaging. The order and report should identify the cervical region, the protocol performed, and the clinical reason for imaging. Bill without a component modifier for the global service, or use modifier 26 for the interpretation or TC for the technical service. When the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies, it affects both the technical and professional 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 72141 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 72141 rate is calculated

Each of 72141’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 72141

The CMS indicators that decide how 72141 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72141 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72142Spine MRICervical, contrast only

Both cover cervical spine MRI, but 72142 is for imaging with contrast; this code is for imaging without contrast.

72156Spine MRICervical spine, without and with contrast

Use 72156 when the cervical study includes imaging both before and after contrast. Use this code when the study is performed without contrast.

72125Cervical spine CTWithout contrast

Both evaluate the cervical spine without contrast, but 72125 is a CT study and this code is an MRI study.

Codes related to 72141

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