CPT code 77046: Breast MRI, unilateral, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $213.10 for 77046 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $188.66–$288.93.

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

What 77046 covers

This code covers MRI imaging of one breast performed without contrast. A common use is evaluating a breast implant for possible rupture or other integrity concerns. A technologist typically acquires the images in an outpatient imaging center or hospital, and a radiologist interprets them. The code is specific to a unilateral, noncontrast examination; it does not describe a contrast-enhanced breast MRI protocol.

Select the code when the documented examination covers one breast and uses no contrast. The order, imaging record, laterality, protocol, and radiologist’s report should support those details and the clinical indication. CMS recognizes separate professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional 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.

Where 77046 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

77046 rates by state

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

How the 77046 rate is calculated

Each of 77046’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 77046

The CMS indicators that decide how 77046 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

77046 compared with similar codes

How to choose

77047Breast MRIBilateral, without contrast

77047 covers noncontrast MRI of both breasts; 77046 covers one breast.

77048Breast MRIUnilateral, with and without contrast

77048 is for a unilateral MRI performed without and with contrast, including CAD when performed. 77046 is a unilateral noncontrast examination.

77049Breast MRIBilateral, without and with contrast

77049 covers bilateral MRI performed without and with contrast, including CAD when performed. 77046 covers one breast without contrast.

77065Diagnostic mammogramOne breast, CAD included

77065 reports unilateral diagnostic mammography, not MRI. Choose based on the imaging modality and examination actually performed.

Codes related to 77046

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