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CPT code 72142: Spine MRI, cervical, contrast only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports MRI examination of the cervical spine performed after contrast administration, commonly to assess enhancing abnormalities such as suspected infection, tumor, or postoperative change.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $315.13 for 72142 in the office.

$315.13Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.1%vs the national office rate ($273.89)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72142 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 72142 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 72142 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 72142 covers

This service is an MRI examination of the cervical spine using contrast, with images acquired after contrast administration. It may be used to evaluate enhancing abnormalities, including suspected infection, tumor, or postoperative change. MRI technologists perform the scan in a hospital or freestanding imaging center, and a radiologist interprets the images.

Report 72142 when the documented cervical spine protocol includes contrast imaging only. If the study includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging, use the code for that combined protocol instead; a study performed without contrast is coded separately. The report should identify the cervical region and the contrast protocol performed. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and an unmodified claim represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies 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 Washington, DC area compares for 72142

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72142 runs from $241.86 in Arkansas to $371.41 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $315.13. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72142 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$315.13
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$313.33−$1.80
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$289.69−$25.44
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$281.41−$33.72
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$314.54−$0.59
  6. Alaska · Alaska$314.57−$0.56
  7. Alabama · Alabama$245.47−$69.66

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

72142 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$241.86—
ArizonaArizona$266.67—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$293.43—
Chico, CACalifornia$292.97—
El Centro, CACalifornia$292.99—
Fresno, CACalifornia$292.97—
Hanford, CACalifornia$292.97—
Madera, CACalifornia$292.97—

72142 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.

$241.86

$332.19

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

View every state and territory as a table
72142 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$314.571
AL$245.471
AR$241.861
AZ$266.671
CA$292.97–$371.4129
CO$287.071
CT$292.291
DC$315.131
DE$271.171
FL$266.95–$289.693
GA$251.99–$278.382
GU$300.841
HI$300.841
IA$253.121
ID$254.541
IL$258.15–$283.604
IN$256.071
KS$251.301
KY$250.061
LA$249.42–$262.072
MA$285.06–$316.712
MD$276.62–$315.133
ME$255.23–$270.262
MI$256.13–$269.712
MN$276.721
MO$244.63–$263.763
MS$243.321
MT$273.881
NC$258.061
ND$271.111
NE$254.721
NH$281.961
NJ$296.09–$311.642
NM$257.311
NV$273.321
NY$261.94–$321.515
OH$255.561
OK$250.261
OR$271.65–$297.052
PA$256.32–$284.492
PR$276.141
RI$281.451
SC$257.141
SD$270.781
TN$252.511
TX$254.56–$285.718
UT$260.741
VA$268.92–$315.132
VI$276.141
VT$269.471
WA$284.71–$323.862
WI$261.791
WV$248.251
WY$272.671

See 72142 in every payment locality

How the 72142 rate is calculated

Each of 72142’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 · 72142

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.74

1.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.32

6.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.2000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$273.89

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,015

Code
72142
Physician work
1.74
Practice expense
6.32
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 72142 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.74× 1.0541.8340
Practice expense6.32× 1.1787.4450
Malpractice0.14× 1.1130.1558
Total RVUs9.4347
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$315.13

Office: (1.74 × 1.054 + 6.32 × 1.178 + 0.14 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $315.13

Open 72142 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72142

The CMS indicators that decide how 72142 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72142

Spine MRI, cervical, contrast only

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

72142 without 26 · national office

$273.89

Spine MRI, cervical, contrast only

72142-26 · Professional component

$82.83

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 72142

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

Codes related to 72142
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
72141Cervical MRI, without contrastCervical spine MRI performed without contrast.$218.49
72156Spine MRI, cervical spine, without and with contrastCervical spine MRI performed both before and after contrast.$364.99
Used instead
72126CT spine, cervical, contrast onlyCervical spine CT with contrast when CT is the selected imaging method.$193.18

How 72142 has changed in Washington, DC area

72142 · Office / nonfacility

$315.13

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.10 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $315.23 to $315.13 (0.0%).

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

    $315.23changed to$315.13

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.78 changed to 1.74
    • Practice expense RVU 6.47 changed to 6.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $329.17changed to$315.23

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 6.59 changed to 6.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $323.79changed to$329.17

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $344.75changed to$323.79

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 6.71 changed to 6.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $360.28changed to$344.75

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 6.79 changed to 6.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $377.50changed to$360.28

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.12 changed to 6.79

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $380.47changed to$377.50

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.99 changed to 7.12
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $382.15changed to$380.47

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 7.12 changed to 6.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $391.25changed to$382.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 7.35 changed to 7.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $387.25changed to$391.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 7.28 changed to 7.35
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $384.87changed to$387.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 7.23 changed to 7.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $383.18changed to$384.87

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.18 changed to 7.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $381.27changed to$383.18

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $396.37changed to$381.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.54 changed to 7.18
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $586.71changed to$396.37

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 1.92 changed to 1.78
    • Practice expense RVU 12.60 changed to 7.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $586.71

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$315.13Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$315.13Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$315.13Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$315.13Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$315.23Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$315.23Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$315.23Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$315.23Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$329.17Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$329.17Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$329.17Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$329.17Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$323.79Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$344.75Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$344.75Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$344.75Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$344.75Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$360.28Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$360.28Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$360.28Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$360.28Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$377.50Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$377.50Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$377.50Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$377.50Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$380.47Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$380.47Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$380.47Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$380.47Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$382.15Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$382.15Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$382.15Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$382.15Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$391.25Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$391.25Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$391.25Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$391.25Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$387.25Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$387.25Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$387.25Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$387.25Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$384.87Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$384.87Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$384.87Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$384.87Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$383.18Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$383.18Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$381.27Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$381.27Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$396.37Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$396.37Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$396.37Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$396.37Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$586.71Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$586.71Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$586.71Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$586.71Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72142 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

72142 billing questions

How does 72142 differ from 72141?

72142 represents a cervical MRI performed with contrast only. Use 72141 when the documented study is performed without contrast.

When should 72156 be used instead?

Use 72156 when the cervical MRI includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging. Do not select 72142 merely because contrast was used if the study also includes precontrast imaging.

What do modifiers 26 and TC identify?

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

What documentation supports reporting 72142?

The imaging report and order should support a cervical spine MRI and show that the performed protocol used contrast without precontrast imaging. The findings should correspond to the cervical region examined.

How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this service?

When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, CMS applies the multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components of 72142.

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 72142PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,015 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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