CPT code 74220: Esophagram, single contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

A single-contrast fluoroscopic esophagram evaluates the esophageal lumen and passage of contrast, commonly for dysphagia, suspected narrowing, or other esophageal symptoms.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality87.5K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $88.39 for 74220 in the office.

$88.39Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−6.2%vs the national office rate ($94.19)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 74220 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 74220 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 74220 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 74220 covers

A single-contrast esophagram is a fluoroscopic X-ray examination in which the patient swallows contrast, usually barium, while images document its passage through the esophagus. It is commonly ordered for dysphagia, suspected esophageal narrowing, diverticulum, or other structural symptoms. Radiologists typically interpret the examination, with imaging staff acquiring views in a hospital radiology department or outpatient imaging center. The study focuses on the esophagus rather than the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing or a broader upper gastrointestinal examination.

Select this code when the performed esophageal study uses a single-contrast technique; a double-contrast examination belongs to its sibling code. The report should support the technique and anatomy examined and include the radiologist’s interpretation. CMS permits global billing without a component modifier or split billing: modifier 26 represents the professional interpretation, and modifier TC represents the equipment and staff. The global service includes both components.

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 New Mexico compares for 74220

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 74220 runs from $83.23 in Arkansas to $128.07 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $88.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

74220 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$88.39
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$107.94+$19.55
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$108.43+$20.04
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$99.23+$10.84
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$96.42+$8.03
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$108.08+$19.69
  7. Alaska · Alaska$108.20+$19.81

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

Every other payment area

74220 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$84.47—
ArkansasArkansas$83.23—
ArizonaArizona$91.73—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$101.06—
Chico, CACalifornia$100.93—
El Centro, CACalifornia$100.93—
Fresno, CACalifornia$100.93—
Hanford, CACalifornia$100.93—

74220 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.

$83.23

$114.50

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

View every state and territory as a table
74220 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$108.201
AL$84.471
AR$83.231
AZ$91.731
CA$100.93–$128.0729
CO$98.821
CT$100.501
DC$108.431
DE$93.281
FL$91.64–$99.233
GA$86.55–$95.692
GU$103.651
HI$103.651
IA$87.171
ID$87.631
IL$88.58–$97.334
IN$88.161
KS$86.511
KY$85.961
LA$85.72–$90.062
MA$98.11–$109.042
MD$95.16–$108.433
ME$87.83–$93.042
MI$88.00–$92.552
MN$95.371
MO$84.06–$90.683
MS$83.671
MT$94.191
NC$88.811
ND$93.401
NE$87.731
NH$97.021
NJ$101.84–$107.232
NM$88.391
NV$94.041
NY$90.14–$110.425
OH$87.841
OK$86.071
OR$93.50–$102.282
PA$88.12–$97.802
PR$94.981
RI$96.831
SC$88.431
SD$93.301
TN$86.921
TX$87.51–$98.328
UT$89.671
VA$92.55–$108.432
VI$94.981
VT$92.801
WA$98.00–$111.542
WI$90.191
WV$85.181
WY$93.841

See 74220 in every payment locality

How the 74220 rate is calculated

Each of 74220’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 · 74220

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.59

0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.19

2.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.8200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$94.19

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,342

Code
74220
Physician work
0.59
Practice expense
2.19
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 74220 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.59× 1.0000.5900
Practice expense2.19× 0.9172.0082
Malpractice0.04× 1.2010.0480
Total RVUs2.6463
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$88.39

Office: (0.59 × 1 + 2.19 × 0.917 + 0.04 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $88.39

Open 74220 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 74220

The CMS indicators that decide how 74220 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 74220

Esophagram, single contrast

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

74220 without 26 · national office

$94.19

Esophagram, single contrast

74220-26 · Professional component

$27.72

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 74220 has changed in New Mexico

74220 · Office / nonfacility

$88.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.68 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $86.71 to $88.39 (1.9%).

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

    $86.71changed to$88.39

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense RVU 2.24 changed to 2.19
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $90.45changed to$86.71

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.28 changed to 2.24

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $88.97changed to$90.45

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $93.84changed to$88.97

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $95.96changed to$93.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $95.19changed to$95.96

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.36

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $91.23changed to$95.19

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.07 changed to 2.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $93.11changed to$91.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.67 changed to 0.60
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 2.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $84.67changed to$93.11

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Work RVU 0.46 changed to 0.67
    • Practice expense RVU 2.00 changed to 2.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $83.94changed to$84.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 2.00
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $83.61changed to$83.94

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $83.58changed to$83.61

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 1.99

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $83.17changed to$83.58

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $87.74changed to$83.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 1.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $87.44changed to$87.74

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $87.44

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$88.39Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$88.39Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$88.39Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$88.39Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$86.71Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$86.71Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$86.71Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$86.71Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$90.45Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$90.45Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$90.45Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$90.45Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$88.97Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$93.84Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$93.84Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$93.84Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$93.84Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$95.96Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$95.96Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$95.96Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$95.96Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$95.19Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$91.23Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$91.23Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$91.23Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$91.23Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$93.11Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$93.11Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$93.11Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$93.11Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$84.67Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$84.67Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$84.67Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$84.67Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$83.94Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$83.94Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$83.94Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$83.94Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$83.61Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$83.61Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$83.61Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$83.61Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$83.58Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$83.58Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$83.17Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$83.17Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$87.74Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$87.74Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$87.74Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$87.74Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$87.44Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$87.44Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$87.44Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$87.44Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 74220 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

74220 billing questions

How does this differ from the double-contrast esophagram?

Use 74220 for a single-contrast technique. When the examination uses double contrast, report 74221 instead.

When should the swallowing-function study be reported instead?

Use 74230 for a study focused on swallowing function, including the oral and pharyngeal phases. Use 74220 for a single-contrast examination focused on the esophagus.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion, including equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 74220?

Document the clinical indication, that the examination used a single-contrast technique, the esophageal anatomy evaluated, and the imaging findings and interpretation.

Does this code include an examination of the stomach?

No. This code represents an esophageal study. A broader upper gastrointestinal examination is a different service when the stomach and related anatomy are evaluated.

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 74220PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,342 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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