CPT code 72157: Thoracic MRI, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Reports thoracic spine MRI images acquired before and after contrast, commonly used to evaluate spinal cord, nerve, or vertebral abnormalities.
In Montana, Medicare pays $318.63 for 72157 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72157 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 72157 covers
This service covers MRI imaging of the thoracic spine, the mid-back portion of the spine, with images obtained before and after contrast administration. A radiologic technologist performs the image acquisition in an imaging center or hospital department; a radiologist interprets the study. Clinical uses can include evaluating suspected spinal cord or nerve abnormalities, tumors, infection, or changes after thoracic spine surgery when both contrast phases are requested and performed.
Report one study when the examination includes both the noncontrast and postcontrast imaging phases. The order and report should support the thoracic region examined, the use of both phases, and the clinical indication. CMS permits separate professional and technical component billing: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, CMS's imaging 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 Montana compares for 72157
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72157 runs from $282.38 in Arkansas to $429.92 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $318.63. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$318.63
- Los Angeles, CA · California$363.61+$44.98
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$365.78+$47.15
- Miami, FL · Florida$336.61+$17.98
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$327.28+$8.65
- Manhattan, NY · New York$365.23+$46.60
- Alaska · Alaska$369.01+$50.38
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $286.47 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $282.38 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $310.47 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $340.90 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $340.38 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $396.65 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $362.18 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $342.13 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $357.77 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $356.45 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $365.24 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $420.74 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $420.56 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $429.92 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $429.17 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $350.63 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $369.07 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $357.89 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $372.85 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $396.39 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $340.36 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $333.65 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $339.65 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $315.61 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $326.07 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $310.82 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $323.76 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $293.88 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $349.11 | — |
| IowaIowa | $295.12 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $296.72 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $304.96 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $300.88 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $329.74 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $298.46 | — |
| KansasKansas | $293.07 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $291.68 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $305.28 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $290.96 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $367.44 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $331.41 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $338.54 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $321.82 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $297.52 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $314.52 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $313.95 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $298.56 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $321.81 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $303.95 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $307.19 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $285.55 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $284.05 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $300.71 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $315.47 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $296.93 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $327.77 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $361.91 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $344.11 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $299.90 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $317.99 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $373.13 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $345.81 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $369.24 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $305.12 | — |
| OhioOhio | $297.91 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $291.90 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $344.98 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $316.10 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $330.81 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $298.77 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $321.19 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $327.36 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $299.69 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $315.10 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $294.44 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $332.04 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $296.77 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $315.92 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $317.60 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $315.28 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $316.65 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $319.58 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $305.95 | — |
| UtahUtah | $303.77 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $313.01 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $321.19 | — |
| VermontVermont | $313.62 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $330.99 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $375.60 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $304.92 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $289.66 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $317.26 | — |
72157 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$282.38
$385.14
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $369.01 | 1 |
| AL | $286.47 | 1 |
| AR | $282.38 | 1 |
| AZ | $310.47 | 1 |
| CA | $340.36–$429.92 | 29 |
| CO | $333.65 | 1 |
| CT | $339.65 | 1 |
| DC | $365.78 | 1 |
| DE | $315.61 | 1 |
| FL | $310.82–$336.61 | 3 |
| GA | $293.88–$323.76 | 2 |
| GU | $349.11 | 1 |
| HI | $349.11 | 1 |
| IA | $295.12 | 1 |
| ID | $296.72 | 1 |
| IL | $300.88–$329.74 | 4 |
| IN | $298.46 | 1 |
| KS | $293.07 | 1 |
| KY | $291.68 | 1 |
| LA | $290.96–$305.28 | 2 |
| MA | $331.41–$367.44 | 2 |
| MD | $321.82–$365.78 | 3 |
| ME | $297.52–$314.52 | 2 |
| MI | $298.56–$313.95 | 2 |
| MN | $321.81 | 1 |
| MO | $285.55–$307.19 | 3 |
| MS | $284.05 | 1 |
| MT | $318.63 | 1 |
| NC | $300.71 | 1 |
| ND | $315.47 | 1 |
| NE | $296.93 | 1 |
| NH | $327.77 | 1 |
| NJ | $344.11–$361.91 | 2 |
| NM | $299.90 | 1 |
| NV | $317.99 | 1 |
| NY | $305.12–$373.13 | 5 |
| OH | $297.91 | 1 |
| OK | $291.90 | 1 |
| OR | $316.10–$344.98 | 2 |
| PA | $298.77–$330.81 | 2 |
| PR | $321.19 | 1 |
| RI | $327.36 | 1 |
| SC | $299.69 | 1 |
| SD | $315.10 | 1 |
| TN | $294.44 | 1 |
| TX | $296.77–$332.04 | 8 |
| UT | $303.77 | 1 |
| VA | $313.01–$365.78 | 2 |
| VI | $321.19 | 1 |
| VT | $313.62 | 1 |
| WA | $330.99–$375.60 | 2 |
| WI | $304.92 | 1 |
| WV | $289.66 | 1 |
| WY | $317.26 | 1 |
How the 72157 rate is calculated
Each of 72157’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 · 72157
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.23
2.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.15
7.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
9.5400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$318.64
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,033
- Code
- 72157
- Physician work
- 2.23
- Practice expense
- 7.15
- Malpractice
- 0.16
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.23 | × 1.000 | 2.2300 |
| Practice expense | 7.15 | × 1.000 | 7.1500 |
| Malpractice | 0.16 | × 0.998 | 0.1597 |
| Total RVUs | 9.5397 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$318.63
Office: (2.23 × 1 + 7.15 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $318.63
Payment rules and modifiers for 72157
The CMS indicators that decide how 72157 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72157
Thoracic MRI, without and with 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
72157 without 26 · national office
$318.64
Thoracic MRI, without and with contrast
72157-26 · Professional component
$105.55
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72157 has changed in Montana
72157 · Office / nonfacility
$318.63
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.04 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $315.59 to $318.63 (1.0%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$315.59changed to$318.63
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.29 changed to 2.23
- Practice expense RVU 7.31 changed to 7.15
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$329.10changed to$315.59
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 7.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$323.73changed to$329.10
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$339.77changed to$323.73
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 7.58 changed to 7.45
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$348.73changed to$339.77
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 7.66 changed to 7.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.16
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$366.62changed to$348.73
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 8.09 changed to 7.66
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$375.68changed to$366.62
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 7.95 changed to 8.09
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$383.62changed to$375.68
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 8.11 changed to 7.95
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.13
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$391.84changed to$383.62
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 8.35 changed to 8.11
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$388.11changed to$391.84
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 8.31 changed to 8.35
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$383.96changed to$388.11
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 8.25 changed to 8.31
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$384.71changed to$383.96
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 8.22 changed to 8.25
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$382.80changed to$384.71
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$398.82changed to$382.80
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 8.68 changed to 8.22
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.16
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$532.38changed to$398.82
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Work RVU 2.57 changed to 2.29
- Practice expense RVU 12.89 changed to 8.68
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.14
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $532.38
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $318.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $318.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $318.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $318.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $315.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $315.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $315.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $315.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $329.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $329.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $329.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $329.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $323.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $339.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $339.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $339.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $339.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $348.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $348.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $348.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $348.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $366.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $366.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $366.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $366.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $375.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $375.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $375.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $375.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $383.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $383.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $383.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $383.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $391.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $391.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $391.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $391.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $388.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $388.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $388.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $388.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $383.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $383.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $383.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $383.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $384.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $384.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $382.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $382.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $398.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $398.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $398.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $398.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $532.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $532.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $532.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $532.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
72157 billing questions
When is this code used instead of 72146 or 72147?
Use 72157 when the thoracic MRI includes imaging both before and after contrast. Code 72146 describes a thoracic MRI without contrast, while 72147 describes one with contrast only.
Should the noncontrast and postcontrast phases be reported as two MRI codes?
No. For one thoracic MRI study performed both without and with contrast, report 72157 rather than separately reporting 72146 and 72147.
How are the interpretation and image acquisition billed?
Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Report the global service without either modifier when billing both components together.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect both components?
Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.
What should the documentation support?
The order and report should identify the thoracic spine, document that images were obtained before and after contrast, and support the clinical reason for the examination.
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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