CPT code 74210: Contrast X-ray, pharynx and cervical esophagus2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California

Medicare pays $97.66–$123.85 for 74210 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. 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.

What 74210 covers

This fluoroscopic contrast examination evaluates the pharynx and cervical portion of the esophagus, with radiographic images documenting the study. A radiologist typically performs and interprets it in a hospital or imaging department. It may be ordered when symptoms such as difficulty swallowing call for assessment of the upper swallowing passage; the precise anatomy examined distinguishes it from an examination of the esophagus more broadly.

Report 74210 when the documented examination is directed to the pharynx and/or cervical esophagus, rather than a full esophageal study or a functional swallowing evaluation. The imaging report should identify the anatomy examined and describe the contrast study and findings. 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.

Where 74210 pays more and less in California

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

29 of 29 payment localities

How the 74210 rate is calculated

Each of 74210’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 74210

The CMS indicators that decide how 74210 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

74210 compared with similar codes

How to choose

74220EsophagramSingle contrast

Use 74210 for imaging directed to the pharynx and/or cervical esophagus. Use 74220 for a broader esophageal examination with a single-contrast approach.

74221EsophagramDouble contrast

74221 describes a broader esophageal examination using a double-contrast approach; 74210 is focused on the pharynx and/or cervical esophagus.

74230Swallow studyRecorded fluoroscopic evaluation

74230 is for functional swallowing imaging. Use 74210 when the documented contrast examination is directed to the pharynx and/or cervical esophagus.

Codes related to 74210

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