CPT code 72270: Myelography, two or more spine regions2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Marin County, CA
Report this radiology service for a contrast myelographic examination that evaluates two or more spinal regions, such as cervical and thoracic levels.
In Marin County, CA, Medicare pays $172.16 for 72270 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72270 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 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.
How Marin County, CA compares for 72270
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72270 runs from $119.97 in Arkansas to $175.82 in San Benito County, CA. Marin County, CA pays $172.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Marin County, CA · this page$172.16
- Bakersfield, CA · California$141.78−$30.38
- Chico, CA · California$141.50−$30.66
- El Centro, CA · California$141.52−$30.64
- Fresno, CA · California$141.50−$30.66
- Hanford, CA · California$141.50−$30.66
- Los Angeles, CA · California$150.50−$21.66
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $162.85 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $149.74 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $142.39 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $148.19 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $147.62 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $150.83 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $172.07 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $175.82 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $175.45 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $145.27 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $152.09 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $148.11 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $153.62 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $162.72 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $141.50 | — |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $151.83 | — |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $141.28 | — |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $137.81 | — |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $152.13 | — |
| AlaskaAlaska | $159.80 | — |
| AlabamaAlabama | $121.51 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $119.97 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $130.51 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $139.14 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $141.77 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $132.50 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $136.90 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $131.10 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $135.67 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $124.67 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $144.47 | — |
| IowaIowa | $124.55 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $125.19 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $129.31 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $127.49 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $138.33 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $125.84 | — |
| KansasKansas | $123.88 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $123.66 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $128.80 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $123.43 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $152.07 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $138.39 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $141.32 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $134.87 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $125.59 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $131.83 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $132.37 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $126.33 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $134.26 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $128.20 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $129.41 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $121.46 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $120.74 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $133.60 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $126.78 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $132.02 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $125.20 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $136.86 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $150.52 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $143.65 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $126.88 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $133.24 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $155.21 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $144.43 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $153.49 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $128.43 | — |
| OhioOhio | $126.01 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $123.64 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $143.33 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $132.46 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $138.49 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $126.28 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $134.53 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $137.03 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $126.55 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $131.83 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $124.40 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $138.46 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $125.54 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $132.58 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $133.26 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $132.42 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $132.88 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $134.34 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $128.88 | — |
| UtahUtah | $128.08 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $131.33 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $134.53 | — |
| VermontVermont | $131.41 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $138.17 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $155.15 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $128.08 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $123.29 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $132.91 | — |
72270 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.
$119.97
$159.80
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 | $159.80 | 1 |
| AL | $121.51 | 1 |
| AR | $119.97 | 1 |
| AZ | $130.51 | 1 |
| CA | $141.50–$175.82 | 29 |
| CO | $139.14 | 1 |
| CT | $141.77 | 1 |
| DC | $151.83 | 1 |
| DE | $132.50 | 1 |
| FL | $131.10–$141.28 | 3 |
| GA | $124.67–$135.67 | 2 |
| GU | $144.47 | 1 |
| HI | $144.47 | 1 |
| IA | $124.55 | 1 |
| ID | $125.19 | 1 |
| IL | $127.49–$138.33 | 4 |
| IN | $125.84 | 1 |
| KS | $123.88 | 1 |
| KY | $123.66 | 1 |
| LA | $123.43–$128.80 | 2 |
| MA | $138.39–$152.07 | 2 |
| MD | $134.87–$151.83 | 3 |
| ME | $125.59–$131.83 | 2 |
| MI | $126.33–$132.37 | 2 |
| MN | $134.26 | 1 |
| MO | $121.46–$129.41 | 3 |
| MS | $120.74 | 1 |
| MT | $133.60 | 1 |
| NC | $126.78 | 1 |
| ND | $132.02 | 1 |
| NE | $125.20 | 1 |
| NH | $136.86 | 1 |
| NJ | $143.65–$150.52 | 2 |
| NM | $126.88 | 1 |
| NV | $133.24 | 1 |
| NY | $128.43–$155.21 | 5 |
| OH | $126.01 | 1 |
| OK | $123.64 | 1 |
| OR | $132.46–$143.33 | 2 |
| PA | $126.28–$138.49 | 2 |
| PR | $134.53 | 1 |
| RI | $137.03 | 1 |
| SC | $126.55 | 1 |
| SD | $131.83 | 1 |
| TN | $124.40 | 1 |
| TX | $125.54–$138.46 | 8 |
| UT | $128.08 | 1 |
| VA | $131.33–$151.83 | 2 |
| VI | $134.53 | 1 |
| VT | $131.41 | 1 |
| WA | $138.17–$155.15 | 2 |
| WI | $128.08 | 1 |
| WV | $123.29 | 1 |
| WY | $132.91 | 1 |
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.
How the rate is built · 72270
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.30
1.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.62
2.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$133.60
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Marin County, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,090
- Code
- 72270
- Physician work
- 1.30
- Practice expense
- 2.62
- Malpractice
- 0.08
GPCI2026.csv
25
- Locality
- Marin County, CA
- Physician work
- 1.095
- Practice expense
- 1.410
- Malpractice
- 0.459
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.30 | × 1.095 | 1.4235 |
| Practice expense | 2.62 | × 1.410 | 3.6942 |
| Malpractice | 0.08 | × 0.459 | 0.0367 |
| Total RVUs | 5.1544 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Marin County, CA$172.16
Office: (1.3 × 1.095 + 2.62 × 1.41 + 0.08 × 0.459) × $33.4009 = $172.16
Payment rules and modifiers for 72270
The CMS indicators that decide how 72270 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72270
Myelography, two or more spine regions
| 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
72270 without 26 · national office
$133.60
Myelography, two or more spine regions
72270-26 · Professional component
$60.12
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 72270 has changed in Marin County, CA
72270 · Office / nonfacility
$172.16
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $18.45 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $190.61 to $172.16 (9.7%).
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
$190.61changed to$172.16
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.33 changed to 1.30
- Practice expense RVU 3.09 changed to 2.62
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.088 changed to 1.095
- Practice expense GPCI 1.419 changed to 1.410
- Malpractice GPCI 0.470 changed to 0.459
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$198.84changed to$190.61
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.16 changed to 3.09
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.13
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$195.59changed to$198.84
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$214.45changed to$195.59
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.16
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Work GPCI 1.082 changed to 1.088
- Practice expense GPCI 1.374 changed to 1.419
- Malpractice GPCI 0.487 changed to 0.470
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$215.96changed to$214.45
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.53
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.077 changed to 1.082
- Practice expense GPCI 1.329 changed to 1.374
- Malpractice GPCI 0.504 changed to 0.487
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$185.42changed to$215.96
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 3.58
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.10
- Work GPCI 1.071 changed to 1.077
- Practice expense GPCI 1.311 changed to 1.329
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$174.37changed to$185.42
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 2.60 changed to 2.94
- Work GPCI 1.068 changed to 1.071
- Practice expense GPCI 1.299 changed to 1.311
- Malpractice GPCI 0.481 changed to 0.504
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$164.20changed to$174.37
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.60
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
- Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.068
- Practice expense GPCI 1.291 changed to 1.299
- Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.481
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$153.63changed to$164.20
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.40
- Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.065
- Practice expense GPCI 1.279 changed to 1.291
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$151.48changed to$153.63
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 2.18 changed to 2.20
- Work GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.062
- Practice expense GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.279
- Malpractice GPCI 0.477 changed to 0.458
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$151.48
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $172.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $172.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $172.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $172.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $190.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $190.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $190.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $190.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $198.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $198.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $198.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $198.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $195.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $214.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $214.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $214.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $214.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $215.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $215.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $215.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $215.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $185.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $185.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $185.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $185.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $174.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $174.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $174.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $174.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $164.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $164.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $164.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $164.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $153.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $153.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $153.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $153.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $151.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $151.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $151.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $151.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Marin County, CA rate applies
Marin County, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Alto
- Belvedere
- Black Point-Green Point
- Bolinas
- Corte Madera
- Dillon Beach
- Fairfax
- Inverness
72270 billing questions
When should this code be chosen instead of a single-region myelography code?
Use it when the documented myelographic examination covers at least two spinal regions. A study limited to cervical, thoracic, or lumbosacral anatomy is represented by the corresponding single-region code.
Can the contrast injection be reported separately?
A separately performed lumbar injection for myelography may be reported with 62284. The record should support the injection service as well as the multi-region imaging and interpretation.
Which modifier identifies the radiologist's interpretation?
Append modifier 26 for the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical portion; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting the multi-region service?
Document the spinal regions examined, the myelographic imaging performed, and the findings or interpretation. The record should show that the examination included at least two regions.
Can a CT examination follow the myelogram on the same date?
Yes. A CT examination, such as lumbar spine CT with contrast, may follow a myelogram to assess the anatomy, and is reported when that separate service is performed and documented.
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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