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CPT code 74181: Abdominal MRI, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports MRI imaging of the abdomen performed without contrast, such as evaluation of abdominal organs when the diagnostic protocol calls for noncontrast images.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality106K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $222.13 for 74181 in the office.

$222.13Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+14.7%vs the national office rate ($193.73)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 74181 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 74181 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 74181 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 74181 covers

This service covers magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen using a protocol without contrast material. Radiologists interpret the images; imaging departments, hospitals, and independent diagnostic centers may furnish the technical service. Common clinical questions include assessment of abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, or adrenal glands when noncontrast imaging is the requested protocol.

Select this code when the documented examination is limited to the abdomen and performed without contrast. The order and radiology report should support the body region and contrast protocol. Report the global service when one entity furnishes both the interpretation and imaging; use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service when those portions are billed separately. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both professional and technical components when it applies to the reported services.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 74181

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 74181 runs from $172.06 in Arkansas to $260.88 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $222.13. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

74181 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$222.13
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$220.88−$1.25
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$204.20−$17.93
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$198.67−$23.46
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$221.74−$0.39
  6. Alaska · Alaska$225.40+$3.27
  7. Alabama · Alabama$174.51−$47.62

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

74181 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$172.06—
ArizonaArizona$188.85—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$207.21—
Chico, CACalifornia$206.89—
El Centro, CACalifornia$206.91—
Fresno, CACalifornia$206.89—
Hanford, CACalifornia$206.89—
Madera, CACalifornia$206.89—

74181 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$172.06

$233.89

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

View every state and territory as a table
74181 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$225.401
AL$174.511
AR$172.061
AZ$188.851
CA$206.89–$260.8829
CO$202.811
CT$206.341
DC$222.131
DE$191.941
FL$188.93–$204.203
GA$178.83–$196.762
GU$212.091
HI$212.091
IA$179.731
ID$180.681
IL$182.95–$200.254
IN$181.721
KS$178.481
KY$177.561
LA$177.12–$185.682
MA$201.47–$223.142
MD$195.67–$222.133
ME$181.13–$191.332
MI$181.65–$190.772
MN$195.761
MO$173.87–$186.853
MS$173.021
MT$193.721
NC$183.041
ND$191.941
NE$180.821
NH$199.221
NJ$209.10–$219.842
NM$182.441
NV$193.371
NY$185.67–$226.425
OH$181.281
OK$177.721
OR$192.26–$209.622
PA$181.81–$201.032
PR$195.261
RI$199.031
SC$182.381
SD$191.731
TN$179.291
TX$180.62–$201.798
UT$184.821
VA$190.41–$222.132
VI$195.261
VT$190.811
WA$201.22–$228.072
WI$185.631
WV$176.251
WY$192.941

See 74181 in every payment locality

How the 74181 rate is calculated

Each of 74181’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 · 74181

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.42

1.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.29

4.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$193.73

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,324

Code
74181
Physician work
1.42
Practice expense
4.29
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 74181 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.42× 1.0541.4967
Practice expense4.29× 1.1785.0536
Malpractice0.09× 1.1130.1002
Total RVUs6.6505
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$222.13

Office: (1.42 × 1.054 + 4.29 × 1.178 + 0.09 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $222.13

Open 74181 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 74181

The CMS indicators that decide how 74181 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 74181

Abdominal MRI, without contrast

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
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

74181 without 26 · national office

$193.73

Abdominal MRI, without contrast

74181-26 · Professional component

$66.47

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 74181

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 74181
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
74182Abdominal MRI, with contrast onlyAbdominal MRI performed with contrast rather than without contrast.$346.46
74183MRI abdomen, without and with contrastAbdominal MRI performed without contrast followed by imaging with contrast.$386.57
Used instead
74150CT abdomen, without contrastAbdominal CT without contrast for a clinical question evaluated with CT.$155.55
74160Abdominal CT, with contrastAbdominal CT with contrast when CT, rather than MRI, is performed.$265.76

How 74181 has changed in Washington, DC area

74181 · Office / nonfacility

$222.13

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.84 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $222.97 to $222.13 (0.4%).

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

    $222.97changed to$222.13

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.46 changed to 1.42
    • Practice expense RVU 4.40 changed to 4.29
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $233.02changed to$222.97

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.48 changed to 4.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $229.22changed to$233.02

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $244.42changed to$229.22

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.57 changed to 4.48
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $254.04changed to$244.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.60 changed to 4.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $266.46changed to$254.04

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.86 changed to 4.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $270.49changed to$266.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.79 changed to 4.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $290.54changed to$270.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.33 changed to 4.79
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $338.81changed to$290.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 6.45 changed to 5.33

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$338.81

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $396.48changed toNo rate

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $395.69changed to$396.48

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 7.78 changed to 7.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $393.72changed to$395.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $401.12changed to$393.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 7.95 changed to 7.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $450.53changed to$401.12

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 9.69 changed to 7.95
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $450.53

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$222.13Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$222.13Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$222.13Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$222.13Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$222.97Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$222.97Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$222.97Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$222.97Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$233.02Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$233.02Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$233.02Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$233.02Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$229.22Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$244.42Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$244.42Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$244.42Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$244.42Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$254.04Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$254.04Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$254.04Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$254.04Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$266.46Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$266.46Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$266.46Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$266.46Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$270.49Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$270.49Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$270.49Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$270.49Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$290.54Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$290.54Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$290.54Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$290.54Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$338.81Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$338.81Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$338.81Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$338.81Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01Additional calculation requiredNot available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$396.48Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$396.48Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$396.48Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$396.48Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$395.69Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$395.69Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$393.72Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$393.72Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$401.12Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$401.12Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$401.12Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$401.12Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$450.53Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$450.53Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$450.53Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$450.53Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 74181 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

74181 billing questions

How does 74181 differ from 74182?

74181 is for abdominal MRI performed without contrast. Use 74182 when the abdominal MRI is performed with contrast.

When is 74183 reported instead?

74183 describes an abdominal MRI performed first without contrast and then with contrast. It is not the code for a noncontrast-only examination.

Can the professional interpretation and imaging be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports 74181?

The order and imaging report should identify the abdomen as the imaged region and support that the examination was performed without contrast.

Can multiple procedure reduction affect this code?

CMS diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the professional and technical components when multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported.

Should 74181 be used for an abdominal CT?

No. 74181 describes MRI. For an abdominal CT without contrast, consider 74150 when that modality and protocol match 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 74181PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,324 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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