CPT code 72270: Myelography, two or more spine regions2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $133.60 for 72270 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $119.97–$175.82.

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

What 72270 covers

A multi-region myelogram uses contrast introduced into the spinal canal to outline the thecal sac and nerve-root structures, with imaging of at least two spinal regions. A radiologist commonly supervises the examination and interprets the images in a hospital or imaging center; the study may help evaluate suspected canal narrowing, nerve-root compression, or other spinal abnormalities when myelography is indicated. For example, imaging may cover cervical and thoracic regions during the same examination.

Select this code when the documented myelographic study covers two or more spinal regions, rather than choosing a single-region myelography code for each region. The report should identify the regions examined and support the medical reason for the study. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff portion, or neither modifier when billing the global service. The lumbar contrast-injection service may be separately reported when performed and supported by the record.

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 72270 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

72270 rates by state

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

How the 72270 rate is calculated

Each of 72270’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 72270

The CMS indicators that decide how 72270 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

72270 compared with similar codes

How to choose

72240MyelographyCervical spine

Use 72240 when the myelographic examination is limited to the cervical region. Use 72270 when the documented study covers two or more spinal regions.

72255MyelographyThoracic spine

Use 72255 for a thoracic-only myelographic study; this code represents a study spanning at least two regions.

72265MyelographyLumbar or lumbosacral region

Use 72265 when the myelogram is limited to the lumbosacral region. A study that also examines another spinal region points to 72270.

72132Spine CTLumbar, with contrast

72132 reports lumbar CT with contrast, not the multi-region myelographic examination. It may describe a separate CT study performed after myelography.

Codes related to 72270

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