CPT code 72295: Discography imaging, lumbar spine2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Lumbar discography imaging interpretation is reported for fluoroscopic assessment of contrast injected into lumbar discs during evaluation of suspected discogenic pain.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $130.34 for 72295 in the office.

$130.34Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+6.6%vs the national office rate ($122.25)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 72295 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 72295 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 72295 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 72295 covers

This service covers the imaging supervision and physician interpretation of lumbar discography. During the study, contrast is injected into one or more lumbar intervertebral discs and imaging is used to assess disc appearance and the patient's response. Spine specialists or pain physicians commonly perform the injections in a fluoroscopy-equipped procedure suite; the physician interpreting the images documents the findings and their clinical significance.

Report 72295 for the radiological supervision and interpretation, separately from the lumbar discography injection service, commonly coded with 62290. The record should identify the lumbar levels studied, include the imaging and interpretation, and support why discography was performed, such as evaluation of suspected discogenic pain. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and reporting 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.

How Connecticut compares for 72295

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 72295 runs from $108.25 in Arkansas to $165.79 in San Benito County, CA. Connecticut pays $130.34. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

72295 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$130.34
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$139.91+$9.57
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$140.54+$10.20
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$128.64−$1.70
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$125.07−$5.27
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$140.11+$9.77
  7. Alaska · Alaska$141.10+$10.76

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

Every other payment area

72295 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$109.83—
ArkansasArkansas$108.25—
ArizonaArizona$119.11—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$131.09—
Chico, CACalifornia$130.91—
El Centro, CACalifornia$130.92—
Fresno, CACalifornia$130.91—
Hanford, CACalifornia$130.91—

72295 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.

$108.25

$148.35

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

View every state and territory as a table
72295 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$141.101
AL$109.831
AR$108.251
AZ$119.111
CA$130.91–$165.7929
CO$128.191
CT$130.341
DC$140.541
DE$121.091
FL$118.97–$128.643
GA$112.47–$124.162
GU$134.361
HI$134.361
IA$113.291
ID$113.891
IL$115.05–$126.254
IN$114.561
KS$112.441
KY$111.721
LA$111.42–$116.962
MA$127.30–$141.322
MD$123.50–$140.543
ME$114.13–$120.792
MI$114.33–$120.122
MN$123.781
MO$109.30–$117.763
MS$108.811
MT$122.241
NC$115.381
ND$121.261
NE$114.011
NH$125.871
NJ$132.10–$139.032
NM$114.821
NV$122.061
NY$117.08–$143.095
OH$114.121
OK$111.871
OR$121.38–$132.632
PA$114.49–$126.892
PR$123.251
RI$125.671
SC$114.891
SD$121.141
TN$112.961
TX$113.71–$127.548
UT$116.471
VA$120.17–$140.542
VI$123.251
VT$120.491
WA$127.16–$144.522
WI$117.161
WV$110.721
WY$121.811

See 72295 in every payment locality

How the 72295 rate is calculated

Each of 72295’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 · 72295

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.81

0.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.80

2.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.6600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$122.25

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,096

Code
72295
Physician work
0.81
Practice expense
2.80
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 72295 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.81× 1.0200.8262
Practice expense2.80× 1.0773.0156
Malpractice0.05× 1.2100.0605
Total RVUs3.9023
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$130.34

Office: (0.81 × 1.02 + 2.8 × 1.077 + 0.05 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $130.34

Open 72295 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 72295

The CMS indicators that decide how 72295 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 72295

Discography imaging, lumbar 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

72295 without 26 · national office

$122.25

Discography imaging, lumbar spine

72295-26 · Professional component

$40.42

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 72295 has changed in Connecticut

72295 · Office / nonfacility

$130.34

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $14.84 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $115.50 to $130.34 (12.8%).

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

    $115.50changed to$130.34

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.83 changed to 0.81
    • Practice expense RVU 2.44 changed to 2.80
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $119.58changed to$115.50

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.44

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $117.63changed to$119.58

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $122.28changed to$117.63

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.45 changed to 2.46
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $126.95changed to$122.28

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $125.28changed to$126.95

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.47

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $118.75changed to$125.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.13 changed to 2.40
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $113.86changed to$118.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.00 changed to 2.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $107.73changed to$113.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.85 changed to 2.00

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $108.16changed to$107.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.86 changed to 1.85
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $108.98changed to$108.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.88 changed to 1.86
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $108.08changed to$108.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $107.54changed to$108.08

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $110.21changed to$107.54

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.94 changed to 1.87
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $113.72changed to$110.21

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 1.94
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $113.72

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$130.34Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$130.34Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$130.34Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$130.34Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$115.50Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$115.50Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$115.50Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$115.50Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$119.58Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$119.58Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$119.58Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$119.58Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$117.63Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$122.28Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$122.28Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$122.28Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$122.28Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$126.95Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$126.95Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$126.95Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$126.95Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$125.28Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$125.28Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$125.28Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$125.28Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$118.75Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$118.75Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$118.75Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$118.75Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$113.86Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$113.86Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$113.86Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$113.86Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$107.73Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$107.73Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$107.73Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$107.73Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$108.16Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$108.16Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$108.16Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$108.16Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$108.98Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$108.98Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$108.98Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$108.98Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$108.08Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$108.08Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$107.54Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$107.54Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$110.21Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$110.21Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$110.21Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$110.21Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$113.72Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$113.72Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$113.72Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$113.72Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 72295 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

72295 billing questions

How is 72295 different from 72285?

72295 is for interpretation of lumbar discography. 72285 is used when discography evaluates cervical or thoracic discs.

Is the disc injection included in 72295?

No. 72295 covers imaging supervision and interpretation; the lumbar discography injection is separately represented by 62290.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, 72295 represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 72295?

Document the lumbar levels examined, the imaging findings, and the physician's interpretation. The record should also support the clinical reason for performing discography.

Should 72295 be reported once for each disc injected?

The injection code 62290 accounts for lumbar discography injections by level. Do not treat 72295 as a per-level injection code; it represents the radiological supervision and interpretation.

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 72295PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,096 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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