Billing code 70134: Middle-ear X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $61.12 for 70134 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $53.83–$83.88.

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

What 70134 covers

This service covers radiographic imaging focused on the middle-ear region. It may be ordered during an otologic workup when a clinician needs X-ray assessment of that area. Imaging is typically acquired by radiology staff in a hospital or other diagnostic imaging setting, with a radiologist or other qualified practitioner interpreting the study. The code identifies the target of the examination; it is distinct from radiographs directed at the mastoids, facial bones, or jaw.

Report the service when the images and order support a middle-ear examination, rather than an examination of an adjacent structure. The record should identify the clinical reason for imaging and support the body region examined; the interpretation should be documented when that service is billed. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: append modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or report the global service without either modifier.

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 70134 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

70134 rates by state

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

How the 70134 rate is calculated

Each of 70134’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 70134

The CMS indicators that decide how 70134 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

70134 compared with similar codes

How to choose

70120Mastoid X-ray

This code targets the middle ear; 70120 is for mastoid radiography with fewer views. Choose according to the region examined.

70130Mastoid X-ray

This code targets the middle ear; 70130 is for mastoid radiography with more views. The imaging target, not simply an ear-related diagnosis, guides selection.

70480Targeted CT

70134 reports radiographic imaging of the middle-ear region. 70480 reports CT without contrast for the specified orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear region.

Codes related to 70134

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