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

Reports cervical spine MRI with images acquired before and after contrast, commonly used to evaluate suspected lesions, infection, or spinal cord abnormalities.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality126.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Puerto Rico, Medicare pays $320.52 for 72156 in the office.

$320.52Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+0.8%vs the national office rate ($317.98)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72156 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 72156 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Puerto Rico
  2. What 72156 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 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.

How Puerto Rico compares for 72156

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72156 runs from $281.81 in Arkansas to $428.95 in San Benito County, CA. Puerto Rico pays $320.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72156 in Puerto Rico vs other payment areas
  1. Puerto Rico · this page$320.52
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$362.82+$42.30
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$364.99+$44.47
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$335.91+$15.39
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$326.61+$6.09
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$364.46+$43.94
  7. Alaska · Alaska$368.30+$47.78

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

Every other payment area

72156 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$285.89—
ArkansasArkansas$281.81—
ArizonaArizona$309.82—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$340.16—
Chico, CACalifornia$339.63—
El Centro, CACalifornia$339.65—
Fresno, CACalifornia$339.63—
Hanford, CACalifornia$339.63—

72156 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.

$281.81

$384.29

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

View every state and territory as a table
72156 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$368.301
AL$285.891
AR$281.811
AZ$309.821
CA$339.63–$428.9529
CO$332.941
CT$338.931
DC$364.991
DE$314.951
FL$310.19–$335.913
GA$293.28–$323.082
GU$348.351
HI$348.351
IA$294.511
ID$296.111
IL$300.27–$329.054
IN$297.841
KS$292.461
KY$291.091
LA$290.37–$304.652
MA$330.71–$366.642
MD$321.14–$364.993
ME$296.90–$313.862
MI$297.95–$313.312
MN$321.121
MO$284.97–$306.563
MS$283.481
MT$317.971
NC$300.091
ND$314.801
NE$296.321
NH$327.071
NJ$343.38–$361.142
NM$299.281
NV$317.321
NY$304.48–$372.335
OH$297.301
OK$291.301
OR$315.44–$344.232
PA$298.15–$330.112
PR$320.521
RI$326.671
SC$299.081
SD$314.431
TN$293.831
TX$296.16–$331.338
UT$303.141
VA$312.36–$364.992
VI$320.521
VT$312.961
WA$330.29–$374.782
WI$304.281
WV$289.081
WY$316.591

See 72156 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 72156

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.23

2.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.13

7.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$317.98

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

The exact Puerto Rico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,030

Code
72156
Physician work
2.23
Practice expense
7.13
Malpractice
0.16

GPCI2026.csv

91

Locality
Puerto Rico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.011
Malpractice
0.985
Office calculation for 72156 in Puerto Rico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.23× 1.0002.2300
Practice expense7.13× 1.0117.2084
Malpractice0.16× 0.9850.1576
Total RVUs9.5960
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Puerto Rico$320.52

Office: (2.23 × 1 + 7.13 × 1.011 + 0.16 × 0.985) × $33.4009 = $320.52

Open 72156 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72156

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

CMS payment indicators · 72156

Spine MRI, cervical spine, 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

72156 without 26 · national office

$317.98

Spine MRI, cervical spine, without and with contrast

72156-26 · Professional component

$105.55

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 72156

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

Codes related to 72156
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Puerto Rico
Same family
72141Cervical MRI, without contrastCervical spine MRI performed without contrast.$192.20
72142Spine MRI, cervical, contrast onlyCervical spine MRI performed with contrast only.$276.14
72157Thoracic MRI, without and with contrastMRI before and after contrast, but of the thoracic spine.$321.19
72158Lumbar MRI, without and with contrastMRI before and after contrast, but of the lumbar spine.$320.85
Used instead
72127Cervical spine CT, without and with contrastCervical spine CT before and after contrast, rather than MRI.$197.69

How 72156 has changed in Puerto Rico

72156 · Office / nonfacility

$320.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.91 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $316.61 to $320.52 (1.2%).

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

    $316.61changed to$320.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.29 changed to 2.23
    • Practice expense RVU 7.29 changed to 7.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.985

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $330.19changed to$316.61

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.43 changed to 7.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $324.80changed to$330.19

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $341.17changed to$324.80

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.56 changed to 7.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.982

  5. October 1, 2023

    RVU23D

    $339.21changed to$341.17

    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.000 changed to 0.984

  6. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $350.54changed to$339.21

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.65 changed to 7.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.986 changed to 1.000

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C.

  7. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $368.22changed to$350.54

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.07 changed to 7.65

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  8. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $375.76changed to$368.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 7.93 changed to 8.07
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.988 changed to 0.986

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  9. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $381.12changed to$375.76

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.08 changed to 7.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.988

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  10. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $389.76changed to$381.12

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.33 changed to 8.08

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  11. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $340.32changed to$389.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.856 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.990

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  12. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $291.31changed to$340.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.23 changed to 8.29
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.705 changed to 0.856
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.293 changed to 0.642

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  13. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $291.75changed to$291.31

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.21 changed to 8.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  14. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $290.29changed to$291.75

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  15. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $298.32changed to$290.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 8.67 changed to 8.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.692 changed to 0.705
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.271 changed to 0.293

    Held through RVU15B.

  16. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $413.67changed to$298.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 2.57 changed to 2.29
    • Practice expense RVU 14.08 changed to 8.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.678 changed to 0.692
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.249 changed to 0.271

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $413.67

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$320.52Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$320.52Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$320.52Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$320.52Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$316.61Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$316.61Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$316.61Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$316.61Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$330.19Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$330.19Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$330.19Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$330.19Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$324.80Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$341.17Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$339.21Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$339.21Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$339.21Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$350.54Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$350.54Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$350.54Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$350.54Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$368.22Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$368.22Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$368.22Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$368.22Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$375.76Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$375.76Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$375.76Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$375.76Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$381.12Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$381.12Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$381.12Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$381.12Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$389.76Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$389.76Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$389.76Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$389.76Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$340.32Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$340.32Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$340.32Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$340.32Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$291.31Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$291.31Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$291.31Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$291.31Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$291.75Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$291.75Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$290.29Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$290.29Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$298.32Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$298.32Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$298.32Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$298.32Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$413.67Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$413.67Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$413.67Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$413.67Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72156 for an earlier date of service

Where the Puerto Rico rate applies

Puerto Rico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 292 cities and communities in Puerto Rico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aceitunas
  • Adjuntas
  • Aguada
  • Aguadilla
  • Aguas Buenas
  • Aguas Claras
  • Aguilita
  • Aibonito

Browse all communities in Puerto Rico

72156 billing questions

When should this code be chosen over 72141?

Use this code when the cervical spine MRI includes images both before and after contrast. Code 72141 describes the study without contrast.

How does this differ from 72142?

Code 72142 is for cervical spine MRI performed with contrast only. This code represents imaging before and after contrast.

Can the interpretation and scan be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Without either modifier, the billing represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both portions?

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

Should the code be reported for each image sequence?

No. Report the examination as a service, not once for each sequence. The documentation should support that both precontrast and postcontrast imaging were 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 72156PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,030 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Puerto RicoGPCI2026.csv, line 91 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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