CPT code 74270: Colon imaging, single-contrast study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California
Radiographic imaging of the colon using a single rectally administered contrast medium, reported for diagnostic evaluation of colonic anatomy or suspected disease.
Medicare pays $158.93–$201.01 for 74270 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.
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On this page 9 sections
What 74270 covers
This examination uses fluoroscopy and radiographs to evaluate the colon after contrast is introduced through the rectum. A radiologist typically performs and interprets the study in a hospital or outpatient imaging department. Clinicians may request it to assess suspected narrowing, obstruction, diverticular changes, or other abnormalities of the colon when a contrast enema is appropriate. The technique uses one contrast medium rather than the air-and-contrast approach associated with a double-contrast study.
Report 74270 for the single-contrast colon examination, not for imaging limited to the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. The report should support the colon-focused study and its single-contrast technique. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical portions: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. Billing without either modifier represents the global service, including both portions.
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 74270 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 payment localities
$158.93 to $201.01
29 of 29 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | $159.17 | Unavailable |
| Chico, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| El Centro, CA | $158.94 | Unavailable |
| Fresno, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Hanford, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Los Angeles, CA | $169.83 | Unavailable |
| Madera, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Marin County, CA | $196.72 | Unavailable |
| Merced, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Modesto, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Napa, CA | $185.40 | Unavailable |
| Oxnard, CA | $169.18 | Unavailable |
| Redding, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Rest of California | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Riverside, CA | $159.70 | Unavailable |
| Sacramento, CA | $167.11 | Unavailable |
| Salinas, CA | $166.49 | Unavailable |
| San Benito County, CA | $201.01 | Unavailable |
| San Diego, CA | $170.64 | Unavailable |
| San Francisco, CA | $196.64 | Unavailable |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $163.77 | Unavailable |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $200.69 | Unavailable |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $172.46 | Unavailable |
| Santa Maria, CA | $167.18 | Unavailable |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $174.23 | Unavailable |
| Stockton, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Vallejo, CA | $185.29 | Unavailable |
| Visalia, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
| Yuba City, CA | $158.93 | Unavailable |
How the 74270 rate is calculated
Each of 74270’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 · 74270
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.01
1.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.37
3.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.4500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$148.63
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 74270
The CMS indicators that decide how 74270 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 74270
Colon imaging, single-contrast study
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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
74270 without 26 · national office
$148.63
Colon imaging, single-contrast study
74270-26 · Professional component
$47.76
Pays only the interpretation and report.
74270 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 74280Colon X-rayDouble-contrast study
- Both codes image the colon with a contrast enema, but 74270 describes a single-contrast technique and 74280 a double-contrast technique.
- 74261CT colonographyDiagnostic, without contrast
- 74261 is diagnostic CT colonography; 74270 is radiographic colon imaging after rectal contrast administration.
- 74263CT colonographyScreening examination
- 74263 is for screening CT colonography. Use 74270 for a diagnostic radiographic contrast-enema examination of the colon.
74270 billing questions
How does 74270 differ from 74280?
74270 is for a colon study using one contrast medium. Use 74280 when the examination uses a double-contrast technique.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical portion, such as equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC portions for this diagnostic test; the unmodified code represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 74270?
The imaging documentation should establish that the examination evaluated the colon and used a single-contrast technique. The interpretation should describe the relevant colonic findings.
Is CT colonography reported with 74270?
No. CT colonography uses a different imaging method and is reported with the applicable CT colonography code, rather than 74270.
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
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