CPT code 72156: Spine MRI, cervical spine, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $317.98 for 72156 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $281.81–$428.95.

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

What 72156 covers

This examination uses magnetic resonance imaging to assess the cervical vertebrae, discs, spinal canal, cord, and surrounding tissues, with images obtained before and after contrast administration. It may be ordered for suspected tumor, infection, inflammatory disease, postoperative concerns, or neurologic symptoms that suggest cervical cord or nerve-root disease. A technologist performs the scan in a hospital or outpatient imaging center, and a radiologist interprets the images.

Report this code when the cervical spine study includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging; a study using only one contrast protocol is coded differently. The record should support the clinical reason for imaging and document the performed examination and interpretation. The global service includes the professional interpretation and technical work; modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both components when it applies.

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 72156 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

72156 rates by state

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

How the 72156 rate is calculated

Each of 72156’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 72156

The CMS indicators that decide how 72156 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72156 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72141Cervical MRIWithout contrast

Choose 72141 when the cervical spine MRI is performed without contrast. This code requires imaging both before and after contrast.

72142Spine MRICervical, contrast only

Choose 72142 for a cervical spine MRI with contrast only; use this code when the examination includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging.

72127Cervical spine CTWithout and with contrast

72127 is a cervical spine CT examination with imaging before and after contrast. This code is for the corresponding MRI examination.

Codes related to 72156

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