CPT code 72240: Myelography, cervical spine2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports fluoroscopic myelographic imaging and interpretation of the cervical spine after intrathecal contrast, such as when evaluating suspected canal or nerve-root abnormalities.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality266 Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $105.74 for 72240 in the office.

$105.74Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.5%vs the national office rate ($111.89)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72240 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 72240 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 72240 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 72240 covers

Cervical myelography uses fluoroscopic imaging after contrast has been introduced into the spinal fluid to show the cervical spinal canal and related structures. A radiologist typically supervises the imaging and interprets the resulting study. It may be used to assess suspected cervical canal narrowing, nerve-root compression, or postsurgical anatomy, including when other imaging does not adequately answer the clinical question. The service is reported for the cervical region, not for a study covering multiple spinal regions.

Choose this code when the documented myelographic imaging and interpretation cover the cervical spine. The report should identify the region examined and describe the relevant findings; the record should support that a myelographic study was performed. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. The technical component accounts for the imaging resources, while the professional component represents the physician’s interpretation.

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 New Mexico compares for 72240

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72240 runs from $99.50 in Arkansas to $149.36 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $105.74. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72240 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$105.74
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$126.93+$21.19
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$127.97+$22.23
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$118.74+$13.00
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$115.53+$9.79
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$128.10+$22.36
  7. Alaska · Alaska$130.90+$25.16

Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

72240 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$100.90—
ArkansasArkansas$99.50—
ArizonaArizona$109.08—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$119.21—
Chico, CACalifornia$118.98—
El Centro, CACalifornia$118.99—
Fresno, CACalifornia$118.98—
Hanford, CACalifornia$118.98—

72240 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.

$99.50

$134.17

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

View every state and territory as a table
72240 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$130.901
AL$100.901
AR$99.501
AZ$109.081
CA$118.98–$149.3629
CO$116.851
CT$119.131
DC$127.971
DE$110.851
FL$109.56–$118.743
GA$103.72–$113.732
GU$121.851
HI$121.851
IA$103.701
ID$104.271
IL$106.26–$116.064
IN$104.861
KS$103.071
KY$102.831
LA$102.61–$107.502
MA$116.12–$128.342
MD$112.96–$127.973
ME$104.62–$110.312
MI$105.25–$110.702
MN$112.561
MO$100.82–$108.073
MS$100.191
MT$111.891
NC$105.701
ND$110.501
NE$104.291
NH$114.871
NJ$120.65–$126.702
NM$105.741
NV$111.581
NY$107.21–$130.895
OH$104.971
OK$102.831
OR$110.88–$120.632
PA$105.22–$116.152
PR$112.741
RI$114.841
SC$105.481
SD$110.341
TN$103.551
TX$104.54–$116.328
UT$106.861
VA$109.85–$127.972
VI$112.741
VT$109.941
WA$115.95–$131.072
WI$106.921
WV$102.441
WY$111.291

See 72240 in every payment locality

How the 72240 rate is calculated

Each of 72240’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 · 72240

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.89

0.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.39

2.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.07

0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.3500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$111.89

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,081

Code
72240
Physician work
0.89
Practice expense
2.39
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 72240 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.89× 1.0000.8900
Practice expense2.39× 0.9172.1916
Malpractice0.07× 1.2010.0841
Total RVUs3.1657
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$105.74

Office: (0.89 × 1 + 2.39 × 0.917 + 0.07 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $105.74

Open 72240 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72240

The CMS indicators that decide how 72240 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72240

Myelography, cervical spine

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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

72240 without 26 · national office

$111.89

Myelography, cervical spine

72240-26 · Professional component

$43.09

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 72240 has changed in New Mexico

72240 · Office / nonfacility

$105.74

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $101.02 to $105.74 (4.7%).

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

    $101.02changed to$105.74

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.91 changed to 0.89
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $104.96changed to$101.02

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.38 changed to 2.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $103.25changed to$104.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $109.20changed to$103.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $111.12changed to$109.20

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.49 changed to 2.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $110.17changed to$111.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.49

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $106.56changed to$110.17

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $100.88changed to$106.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.97 changed to 2.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $95.13changed to$100.88

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.80 changed to 1.97

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $95.01changed to$95.13

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.81 changed to 1.80
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $93.65changed to$95.01

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.78 changed to 1.81
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $94.40changed to$93.65

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $93.93changed to$94.40

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $124.04changed to$93.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.71 changed to 1.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $123.06changed to$124.04

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 2.71
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $123.06

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$105.74Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$105.74Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$105.74Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$105.74Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$101.02Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$101.02Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$101.02Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$101.02Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$104.96Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$104.96Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$104.96Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$104.96Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$103.25Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$109.20Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$109.20Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$109.20Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$109.20Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$111.12Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$111.12Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$111.12Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$111.12Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$110.17Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$110.17Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$110.17Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$110.17Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$106.56Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$106.56Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$106.56Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$106.56Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$100.88Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$100.88Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$100.88Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$100.88Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$95.13Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$95.13Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$95.13Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$95.13Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$95.01Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$95.01Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$95.01Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$95.01Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$93.65Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$93.65Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$93.65Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$93.65Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$94.40Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$94.40Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$93.93Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$93.93Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$124.04Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$124.04Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$124.04Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$124.04Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$123.06Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$123.06Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$123.06Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$123.06Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72240 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

72240 billing questions

When should 72240 be selected instead of 72270?

Use 72240 for myelographic imaging of the cervical region alone. 72270 is the sibling code for a study covering two or more spinal regions.

How does 72240 differ from 72255 or 72265?

The distinction is the spinal region imaged: 72240 is cervical, 72255 is thoracic, and 72265 is lumbosacral.

Which modifier identifies the radiologist’s interpretation?

Append modifier 26 when billing only the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical component; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

Does 72240 cover the contrast injection?

72240 represents cervical myelographic imaging with supervision and interpretation. The CMS component information identifies professional and technical portions but does not specify separate payment for contrast placement.

What documentation supports reporting 72240?

Document the cervical region examined and retain the myelographic imaging interpretation describing the findings. The record should support that the study was limited to the cervical region rather than multiple spinal regions.

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 72240PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,081 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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