CPT code 74246: Upper GI imaging, air-contrast study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota

In North Dakota, Medicare pays $133.42 for 74246 in the office.

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 74246 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 74246 covers

This examination uses fluoroscopy and radiographs to assess the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, sometimes extending to the proximal jejunum. The patient swallows contrast, typically high-density barium with an effervescent agent that distends the upper GI tract with gas. A radiologist guides the study and interprets the images, with a technologist assisting with imaging. It is commonly performed in a hospital radiology department or outpatient imaging center to evaluate symptoms or suspected structural abnormalities such as a hiatal hernia or ulcer.

Select this code when the documented examination uses an air-contrast protocol to image the upper GI tract; a single-contrast study is reported differently. The record should support the anatomic coverage, contrast technique, and final interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies equipment and staff. 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 North Dakota compares for 74246

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 74246 runs from $119.08 in Arkansas to $182.53 in San Benito County, CA. North Dakota pays $133.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

74246 rates by state

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

See 74246 in every payment locality

How the 74246 rate is calculated

Each of 74246’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 74246

The CMS indicators that decide how 74246 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 74246

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

How 74246 has changed in North Dakota

Price 74246 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Dakota rate applies

North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• Abercrombie
• Adams
• Alamo
• Alexander
• Alice
• Almont
• Alsen
• Ambrose

Browse all communities in North Dakota

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