CPT code 74176: CT abdomen and pelvis, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maryland
Single combined CT exam of the abdomen and pelvis performed without intravenous contrast, commonly ordered for suspected kidney stones, flank pain, or contrast intolerance.
Medicare pays $184.77–$208.34 for 74176 in the office in Maryland, from Rest of Maryland to Washington, DC area. 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 74176 covers
This noncontrast CT images both the abdomen and pelvis, usually from the lung bases through the pubic symphysis. A common use is a renal stone protocol for flank pain or hematuria. It may also be ordered when IV contrast is avoided because of severe kidney impairment or a prior contrast reaction, including evaluation for free air, hemorrhage, or bowel obstruction. Technologists acquire the images in emergency departments, hospital imaging departments, or freestanding centers; a radiologist interprets the study.
Report 74176 once when both regions are imaged without IV contrast, rather than billing separate abdomen and pelvis CT codes. Oral or rectal contrast alone does not change the study to a with-contrast CT. The global code includes image acquisition and interpretation; modifier 26 identifies interpretation alone, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion when separately billed under the physician fee schedule. CMS diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction can affect both components when eligible imaging studies are furnished together; the professional reduction depends on the same physician interpreting the studies in the same session. Documentation should identify both regions, IV contrast status, the indication, and findings.
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 74176 pays more and less in Maryland
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$184.77 to $208.34
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area, MD | $193.76 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Maryland | $184.77 | Unavailable |
| Washington, DC area | $208.34 | Unavailable |
How the 74176 rate is calculated
Each of 74176’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 · 74176
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.70
1.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.67
3.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.11
0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.4800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$183.04
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 74176
The CMS indicators that decide how 74176 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 74176
CT abdomen and pelvis, without contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 9 | The concept doesn’t apply. |
| 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
74176 without 26 · national office
$183.04
CT abdomen and pelvis, without contrast
74176-26 · Professional component
$79.83
Pays only the interpretation and report.
74176 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 74150CT abdomenWithout contrast
- 74150 covers the abdomen only. If imaging continues through the pelvis without IV contrast, the combined code 74176 applies instead.
- 74177CT abdomen and pelvisWith contrast only
- 74177 requires IV contrast for the combined study. Use 74176 when no intravascular contrast is given, even if oral contrast is used.
- 74178CT abdomen/pelvisWithout and with contrast
- 74178 applies when noncontrast images are followed by IV contrast images in one or both regions; 74176 is noncontrast only throughout.
74176 billing questions
Can CT abdomen without contrast and CT pelvis without contrast be billed separately when both are scanned?
No. When both regions are imaged without IV contrast at the same session, report the combined code once instead of 74150 plus 72192.
If the patient drank oral contrast, should a with-contrast code be used?
No. Contrast status in CT coding refers to intravascular contrast. Oral or rectal contrast alone is still reported with this without-contrast code.
What if the abdomen and pelvis were scanned without contrast and then repeated after IV contrast?
Report 74178, which covers noncontrast imaging followed by contrast imaging in one or both regions, rather than 74176 plus 74177.
Which modifier does a radiologist use when reading a hospital CT?
Append modifier 26 for interpretation alone. An entity billing only the technical portion under the physician fee schedule uses modifier TC; bill the global code without a modifier when the same billing entity furnishes both components.
How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect a chest and abdomen-pelvis CT done together?
For eligible services billed under the physician fee schedule, CMS reduces payment for the lower-valued technical component. The professional-component reduction applies when the same physician interprets both studies in the same session.
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
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