CPT code 77048: Breast MRI, unilateral, with and without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports MRI of one breast using images before and after contrast, including computer-aided detection when performed, for diagnostic breast evaluation.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $314.75 for 77048 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 77048 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 77048 covers
This service uses magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate one breast with images acquired before and after contrast administration. A radiologic technologist performs the scan, and a radiologist interprets the images. Common diagnostic situations include assessing the extent of a known breast cancer or investigating a concerning finding that needs further evaluation. Computer-aided detection is included when performed. For imaging both breasts with and without contrast, the bilateral code is used instead.
Report 77048 for one breast, not as a unilateral substitute when the documented examination covers both breasts. The order and imaging report should support the clinical reason for the MRI, the side examined, and the use of pre- and post-contrast imaging. The global service is reported without a component modifier; modifier 26 represents the interpretation, while modifier TC represents the equipment and staff. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components when it applies.
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 Carolina compares for 77048
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 77048 runs from $294.84 in Arkansas to $454.37 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $314.75. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$314.75
- Los Angeles, CA · California$382.81+$68.06
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$384.65+$69.90
- Miami, FL · Florida$352.35+$37.60
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$342.28+$27.53
- Manhattan, NY · New York$383.53+$68.78
- Alaska · Alaska$382.93+$68.18
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $299.27 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $294.84 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $325.21 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $358.36 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $357.88 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $418.71 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $381.45 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $359.52 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $376.62 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $375.23 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $384.83 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $444.62 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $444.45 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $454.37 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $453.67 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $369.06 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $389.14 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $376.85 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $393.14 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $418.46 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $357.86 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $350.41 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $356.49 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $330.72 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $341.44 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $325.07 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $339.39 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $306.83 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $367.59 | — |
| IowaIowa | $308.84 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $310.53 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $318.25 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $314.16 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $345.39 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $312.42 | — |
| KansasKansas | $306.51 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $304.66 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $319.32 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $303.84 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $386.81 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $347.90 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $355.31 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $337.41 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $311.27 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $329.82 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $328.33 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $311.99 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $338.04 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $318.00 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $321.51 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $297.93 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $296.49 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $334.00 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $331.03 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $310.83 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $344.06 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $380.35 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $361.20 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $313.39 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $333.43 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $391.92 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $362.89 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $388.02 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $319.49 | — |
| OhioOhio | $311.38 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $305.02 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $362.74 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $331.48 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $346.89 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $312.37 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $336.80 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $343.37 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $313.46 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $330.68 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $307.98 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $348.69 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $310.21 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $331.11 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $332.87 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $330.33 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $331.87 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $334.62 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $320.24 | — |
| UtahUtah | $317.87 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $328.11 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $336.80 | — |
| VermontVermont | $328.93 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $347.51 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $395.66 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $319.60 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $302.04 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $332.71 | — |
77048 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.
$294.84
$406.12
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $382.93 | 1 |
| AL | $299.27 | 1 |
| AR | $294.84 | 1 |
| AZ | $325.21 | 1 |
| CA | $357.86–$454.37 | 29 |
| CO | $350.41 | 1 |
| CT | $356.49 | 1 |
| DC | $384.65 | 1 |
| DE | $330.72 | 1 |
| FL | $325.07–$352.35 | 3 |
| GA | $306.83–$339.39 | 2 |
| GU | $367.59 | 1 |
| HI | $367.59 | 1 |
| IA | $308.84 | 1 |
| ID | $310.53 | 1 |
| IL | $314.16–$345.39 | 4 |
| IN | $312.42 | 1 |
| KS | $306.51 | 1 |
| KY | $304.66 | 1 |
| LA | $303.84–$319.32 | 2 |
| MA | $347.90–$386.81 | 2 |
| MD | $337.41–$384.65 | 3 |
| ME | $311.27–$329.82 | 2 |
| MI | $311.99–$328.33 | 2 |
| MN | $338.04 | 1 |
| MO | $297.93–$321.51 | 3 |
| MS | $296.49 | 1 |
| MT | $334.00 | 1 |
| NC | $314.75 | 1 |
| ND | $331.03 | 1 |
| NE | $310.83 | 1 |
| NH | $344.06 | 1 |
| NJ | $361.20–$380.35 | 2 |
| NM | $313.39 | 1 |
| NV | $333.43 | 1 |
| NY | $319.49–$391.92 | 5 |
| OH | $311.38 | 1 |
| OK | $305.02 | 1 |
| OR | $331.48–$362.74 | 2 |
| PA | $312.37–$346.89 | 2 |
| PR | $336.80 | 1 |
| RI | $343.37 | 1 |
| SC | $313.46 | 1 |
| SD | $330.68 | 1 |
| TN | $307.98 | 1 |
| TX | $310.21–$348.69 | 8 |
| UT | $317.87 | 1 |
| VA | $328.11–$384.65 | 2 |
| VI | $336.80 | 1 |
| VT | $328.93 | 1 |
| WA | $347.51–$395.66 | 2 |
| WI | $319.60 | 1 |
| WV | $302.04 | 1 |
| WY | $332.71 | 1 |
How the 77048 rate is calculated
Each of 77048’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 · 77048
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.05
2.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense7.80
7.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
10.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$334.01
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,955
- Code
- 77048
- Physician work
- 2.05
- Practice expense
- 7.80
- Malpractice
- 0.15
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.05 | × 1.000 | 2.0500 |
| Practice expense | 7.80 | × 0.933 | 7.2774 |
| Malpractice | 0.15 | × 0.639 | 0.0959 |
| Total RVUs | 9.4233 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$314.75
Office: (2.05 × 1 + 7.8 × 0.933 + 0.15 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $314.75
Payment rules and modifiers for 77048
The CMS indicators that decide how 77048 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 77048
Breast MRI, unilateral, with and without contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| 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
77048 without 26 · national office
$334.01
Breast MRI, unilateral, with and without contrast
77048-26 · Professional component
$96.86
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 77048 has changed in North Carolina
77048 · Office / nonfacility
$314.75
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $4.87 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $309.88 to $314.75 (1.6%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$309.88changed to$314.75
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.10 changed to 2.05
- Practice expense RVU 7.97 changed to 7.80
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$323.30changed to$309.88
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 8.12 changed to 7.97
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$318.02changed to$323.30
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$335.35changed to$318.02
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 8.29 changed to 8.12
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$345.84changed to$335.35
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 8.40 changed to 8.29
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.15
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$364.25changed to$345.84
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 8.88 changed to 8.40
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$371.47changed to$364.25
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 8.72 changed to 8.88
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$378.14changed to$371.47
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 8.91 changed to 8.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.11
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
No ratechanged to$378.14
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $314.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $314.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $314.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $314.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $309.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $309.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $309.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $309.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $323.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $323.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $323.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $323.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $318.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $335.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $335.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $335.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $335.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $345.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $345.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $345.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $345.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $364.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $364.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $364.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $364.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $371.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $371.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $371.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $371.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $378.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $378.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $378.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $378.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
77048 billing questions
When should 77048 be chosen instead of 77049?
Use 77048 when the MRI covers one breast with and without contrast. Use 77049 when the documented examination covers both breasts with and without contrast.
How does 77048 differ from 77046?
Both are unilateral breast MRI codes, but 77048 describes imaging with and without contrast; 77046 is for imaging without contrast.
Is CAD separately reported with 77048?
No. Computer-aided detection is included in 77048 when performed.
How are the professional and technical services billed?
Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does a multiple-procedure reduction affect 77048?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to the professional and technical components when the reduction applies.
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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