CPT code 72220: Sacrum X-ray, sacrum and coccyx2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California
A targeted radiographic study of the sacrum and coccyx, reported when these bones require imaging for localized pain, trauma, or suspected abnormality.
Medicare pays $34.32–$43.75 for 72220 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. 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 72220 covers
This examination produces radiographic images focused on the sacrum and coccyx, with at least two views. It is commonly ordered for localized tailbone pain, injury, or concern about an abnormality in these bones. A radiologic technologist typically obtains the images in an outpatient imaging department, hospital, or office equipped for X-ray; a physician, often a radiologist, interprets them and documents the findings.
Report 72220 when the ordered study targets the sacrum and coccyx, rather than the sacroiliac joints or lumbar spine. The record should support the reason for imaging and identify the requested anatomy; the image set and interpretation report support the service performed. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and billing without either modifier represents the global 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 72220 pays more and less in California
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
29 payment localities
$34.32 to $43.75
29 of 29 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | $34.38 | Unavailable |
| Chico, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| El Centro, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Fresno, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Hanford, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Los Angeles, CA | $36.78 | Unavailable |
| Madera, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Marin County, CA | $42.79 | Unavailable |
| Merced, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Modesto, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Napa, CA | $40.27 | Unavailable |
| Oxnard, CA | $36.65 | Unavailable |
| Redding, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Rest of California | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Riverside, CA | $34.54 | Unavailable |
| Sacramento, CA | $36.15 | Unavailable |
| Salinas, CA | $36.02 | Unavailable |
| San Benito County, CA | $43.75 | Unavailable |
| San Diego, CA | $36.97 | Unavailable |
| San Francisco, CA | $42.76 | Unavailable |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $35.43 | Unavailable |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $43.65 | Unavailable |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $37.40 | Unavailable |
| Santa Maria, CA | $36.18 | Unavailable |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $37.79 | Unavailable |
| Stockton, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Vallejo, CA | $40.24 | Unavailable |
| Visalia, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
| Yuba City, CA | $34.32 | Unavailable |
How the 72220 rate is calculated
Each of 72220’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 · 72220
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.17
0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.77
0.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$32.06
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72220
The CMS indicators that decide how 72220 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72220
Sacrum X-ray, sacrum and coccyx
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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
72220 without 26 · national office
$32.06
Sacrum X-ray, sacrum and coccyx
72220-26 · Professional component
$8.35
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72220 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72200SI joint X-rayFewer than three views
- 72200 is directed at the sacroiliac joints. Choose 72220 for imaging centered on the sacrum and coccyx.
- 72202SI joint X-rayThree or more views
- 72202 describes a sacroiliac joint study with more views; it does not represent additional views of a sacrum and coccyx examination.
- 72100Lumbar spine X-rayTwo or three views
- 72100 is for lumbar spine imaging. Select 72220 when the order and images focus on the sacrum and coccyx.
72220 billing questions
When should 72220 be chosen instead of a sacroiliac joint X-ray?
Use 72220 when the examination targets the sacrum and coccyx. Sacroiliac joint studies are reported with 72200 or 72202, depending on the views.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the physician's interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical portion. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports this code?
The record should show the clinical reason for imaging and the sacrum and coccyx as the requested anatomy. The images and a physician's interpretation report support the service.
Does the code include both image acquisition and interpretation?
The global service includes both portions. When the portions are furnished and billed separately, use modifier 26 for interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service.
How is 72220 distinguished from a lumbar spine X-ray?
Choose 72220 for imaging centered on the sacrum and coccyx. Use a lumbar spine code when the study is directed at the lumbar vertebrae.
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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