CPT code 72148: Lumbar spine MRI, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, reported for evaluating low back pain with radiculopathy, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or suspected nerve root compression.
Medicare pays $178.86–$199.57 for 72148 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX. 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.
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On this page 9 sections
What 72148 covers
This MRI evaluates the lumbar vertebrae, discs, spinal canal, conus and cauda equina, and neural foramina without administering contrast. It can assess persistent low back pain with radicular symptoms, suspected disc herniation or stenosis, and nerve root compression; it may also help with preoperative planning. Primary care, orthopedic, spine surgery, neurology, and pain management clinicians order the study. MRI technologists acquire the images in hospital outpatient departments, imaging centers, or physician offices, and a radiologist typically interprets them.
Report 72148 for a lumbar MRI acquired without contrast; when both noncontrast and post-contrast lumbar images are acquired, report 72158 instead of separate codes. The order, imaging protocol, contrast administration record, and signed interpretation should support the lumbar region and noncontrast technique. Modifier 26 identifies interpretation alone; modifier TC identifies equipment and staff services. Report the global service without either modifier when the same billing entity provides both portions. For multiple eligible diagnostic imaging studies furnished to the same patient on the same day, Medicare’s multiple procedure reduction affects both professional and technical components of the lower-valued service.
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 72148 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$178.86 to $199.57
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $199.57 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | $178.86 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | $190.11 | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | $191.12 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | $189.76 | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | $190.55 | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | $192.38 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | $184.24 | Unavailable |
How the 72148 rate is calculated
Each of 72148’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 · 72148
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.44
1.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.20
4.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.10
0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.7400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$191.72
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72148
The CMS indicators that decide how 72148 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72148
Lumbar spine MRI, without contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
72148 without 26 · national office
$191.72
Lumbar spine MRI, without contrast
72148-26 · Professional component
$68.47
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72148 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72158Lumbar MRIWithout and with contrast
- 72158 covers lumbar MRI with both noncontrast and post-contrast images; 72148 covers a lumbar MRI performed without contrast.
- 72149MRIContrast only
- 72149 applies when only post-contrast lumbar MRI images are obtained; 72148 applies when the lumbar study is performed without contrast.
- 72131Lumbar CTWithout contrast
- 72131 is a CT of the lumbar spine without contrast; 72148 is magnetic resonance imaging of the same region.
- 72146Spine MRIThoracic, without contrast
- 72146 covers noncontrast MRI of the thoracic spine; 72148 covers the lumbar region. If both regions are scanned without contrast, report both codes.
72148 billing questions
When should 72158 be reported instead of 72148?
Use 72158 when the lumbar MRI includes sequences both before and after contrast administration. Use 72148 when the lumbar study is performed without contrast.
Can 72148 and 72149 be billed together for the same session?
No. A lumbar study with noncontrast and post-contrast sequences is reported with the single combined code 72158, not by pairing the two individual codes.
Which modifier does a radiologist reading a hospital study use?
The radiologist reports 72148 with modifier 26 for interpretation alone; modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. An entity providing both portions reports the global service without either modifier.
How is billing handled when the thoracic and lumbar spine are scanned together?
If both regions are scanned without contrast, report 72146 for the thoracic spine and 72148 for the lumbar spine. For eligible same-day studies, Medicare’s diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction affects the professional and technical components of the lower-valued service.
Does a postoperative lumbar spine evaluation still use 72148?
Yes, if the lumbar MRI is performed without contrast. When the study includes both noncontrast and post-contrast images, as may be done to distinguish scar from recurrent disc, report 72158.
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
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