$118.05–$177.45
71250 is diagnostic chest CT without contrast, commonly used for nodule follow-up or interstitial lung disease. Use 71260 when the diagnostic chest images are acquired after IV contrast without a precontrast diagnostic series.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
71260 Chest CT with contrast Medicare reimbursement rates
Diagnostic chest CT acquired after IV contrast, without a precontrast diagnostic series, for evaluating masses, lymph nodes, infection, or mediastinal and pleural disease. Compare 71260 office and facility rates across CMS payment localities.
Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.
What does Medicare pay for 71260?
The service location and office or facility setting determine which base rate applies. These are the supported base rates for the 109 payment areas shown below, using the same CMS release.
Office / nonfacility
$147.46–$225.08
109 of 109 localities have a supported rate.
Lowest: Arkansas
Highest: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
A spread of $77.62 per service.
Facility setting
No supported rate
These are locality ranges, not averages or address-specific quotes. A facility-setting amount covers the physician service; it does not include a hospital’s separate bill. Choose a locality below to inspect its calculation, compare other payment areas, or price a percentage of Medicare.
Where 71260 pays more and less
109 payment localities
$147.46 to $225.08
Radiology
About 71260: CT scan of the chest with IV contrast
Diagnostic chest CT acquired after IV contrast, without a precontrast diagnostic series, for evaluating masses, lymph nodes, infection, or mediastinal and pleural disease.
This study images the lungs, mediastinum, pleura, chest wall, and great vessels after intravenous contrast administration. A separate precontrast diagnostic series is not acquired. Common indications include staging or restaging lung, esophageal, and breast cancers or lymphoma; characterizing a mediastinal or hilar mass; evaluating suspected empyema or abscess; and assessing lymphadenopathy. A CT technologist acquires the images in a hospital, imaging center, or office-based practice, and a radiologist interprets them in a signed report.
Select 71260 when the diagnostic chest images are acquired after contrast without a separate precontrast diagnostic series. The imaging record and report should support the indication, IV contrast use, technique, and findings. Billing without a modifier claims the global service when the billing entity provides both components. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation; modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. When eligible diagnostic imaging studies are furnished to the same patient on the same day, Medicare's multiple procedure reduction can affect both the technical and professional components of lower-ranked services.
CMS billing rules for 71260
- Professional and technical components
- Diagnostic test with a professional component (modifier 26, interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, equipment and staff); billing without a modifier is the global service.
- Multiple procedures
- Diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the technical and professional components.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU1.13 · 23%
- Practice expense (office) RVU3.77 · 76%
- Malpractice RVU0.09 · 2%
1.8M
Medicare services in 2024 · #86 by national volume
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.
71260 compared with similar codes
Office rate ranges across all CMS payment localities, from the same CMS release.
$172.84–$265.99
71270 describes a chest CT with both precontrast and postcontrast diagnostic series. If the diagnostic images are acquired only after contrast, report 71260.
71275
No office rateCt angiography chest
71275 is chest CT angiography, using angiographic acquisition and image postprocessing for vascular questions such as pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection. Routine contrast-enhanced diagnostic chest CT is 71260.
$121.09–$182.45
71271 is low-dose chest CT without contrast for lung cancer screening in eligible asymptomatic patients. Use 71260 for a contrast-enhanced diagnostic chest CT when its imaging technique is performed.
See how rates vary across the country
71260 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
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.
$147.46
$201.55
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $192.38 | 1 |
| AL | $149.63 | 1 |
| AR | $147.46 | 1 |
| AZ | $162.33 | 1 |
| CA | $178.01–$225.08 | 29 |
| CO | $174.52 | 1 |
| CT | $177.75 | 1 |
| DC | $191.46 | 1 |
| DE | $165.04 | 1 |
| FL | $162.64–$176.43 | 3 |
| GA | $153.65–$169.40 | 2 |
| GU | $182.66 | 1 |
| HI | $182.66 | 1 |
| IA | $154.15 | 1 |
| ID | $155.01 | 1 |
| IL | $157.41–$172.66 | 4 |
| IN | $155.93 | 1 |
| KS | $153.09 | 1 |
| KY | $152.44 | 1 |
| LA | $152.06–$159.65 | 2 |
| MA | $173.34–$192.32 | 2 |
| MD | $168.31–$191.46 | 3 |
| ME | $155.46–$164.43 | 2 |
| MI | $156.10–$164.33 | 2 |
| MN | $168.21 | 1 |
| MO | $149.22–$160.63 | 3 |
| MS | $148.38 | 1 |
| MT | $166.66 | 1 |
| NC | $157.15 | 1 |
| ND | $164.88 | 1 |
| NE | $155.10 | 1 |
| NH | $171.46 | 1 |
| NJ | $180.06–$189.40 | 2 |
| NM | $156.82 | 1 |
| NV | $166.29 | 1 |
| NY | $159.48–$195.46 | 5 |
| OH | $155.74 | 1 |
| OK | $152.53 | 1 |
| OR | $165.27–$180.48 | 2 |
| PA | $156.18–$173.09 | 2 |
| PR | $168.01 | 1 |
| RI | $171.22 | 1 |
| SC | $156.65 | 1 |
| SD | $164.67 | 1 |
| TN | $153.82 | 1 |
| TX | $155.12–$173.71 | 8 |
| UT | $158.81 | 1 |
| VA | $163.65–$191.46 | 2 |
| VI | $168.01 | 1 |
| VT | $163.93 | 1 |
| WA | $173.12–$196.59 | 2 |
| WI | $159.30 | 1 |
| WV | $151.47 | 1 |
| WY | $165.89 | 1 |
Compare 71260 by payment locality
Find the payment area for your service address, then open its rate page for calculation inputs, release history and the percentage-of-Medicare tool. A city may cross payment-area boundaries; the ZIP lookup above helps resolve the location.
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Office $149.63 | Facility Unavailable |
| Alaska* | Office $192.38 | Facility Unavailable |
| Arizona | Office $162.33 | Facility Unavailable |
| Arkansas | Office $147.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Atlanta | Office $169.40 | Facility Unavailable |
| Austin | Office $173.71 | Facility Unavailable |
| Bakersfield | Office $178.30 | Facility Unavailable |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | Office $177.18 | Facility Unavailable |
| Beaumont | Office $155.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| Brazoria | Office $165.18 | Facility Unavailable |
| Chicago | Office $171.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Chico | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Colorado | Office $174.52 | Facility Unavailable |
| Connecticut | Office $177.75 | Facility Unavailable |
| Dallas | Office $166.08 | Facility Unavailable |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | Office $191.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Delaware | Office $165.04 | Facility Unavailable |
| Detroit | Office $164.33 | Facility Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | Office $159.64 | Facility Unavailable |
| El Centro | Office $178.02 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fort Lauderdale | Office $170.74 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | Office $164.86 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fresno | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Galveston | Office $165.57 | Facility Unavailable |
| Hanford-Corcoran | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Hawaii, Guam | Office $182.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| Houston | Office $167.22 | Facility Unavailable |
| Idaho | Office $155.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Indiana | Office $155.93 | Facility Unavailable |
| Iowa | Office $154.15 | Facility Unavailable |
| Kansas | Office $153.09 | Facility Unavailable |
| Kentucky | Office $152.44 | Facility Unavailable |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | Office $190.25 | Facility Unavailable |
| Madera | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Manhattan | Office $191.25 | Facility Unavailable |
| Merced | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Boston | Office $192.32 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | Office $158.92 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | Office $173.09 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | Office $160.63 | Facility Unavailable |
| Miami | Office $176.43 | Facility Unavailable |
| Minnesota | Office $168.21 | Facility Unavailable |
| Mississippi | Office $148.38 | Facility Unavailable |
| Modesto | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Montana** | Office $166.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| Napa | Office $207.61 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nebraska | Office $155.10 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nevada** | Office $166.29 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Hampshire | Office $171.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Mexico | Office $156.82 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Orleans | Office $159.65 | Facility Unavailable |
| North Carolina | Office $157.15 | Facility Unavailable |
| North Dakota** | Office $164.88 | Facility Unavailable |
| Northern Nj | Office $189.40 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | Office $195.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Ohio | Office $155.74 | Facility Unavailable |
| Oklahoma | Office $152.53 | Facility Unavailable |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | Office $189.51 | Facility Unavailable |
| Portland | Office $180.48 | Facility Unavailable |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | Office $180.96 | Facility Unavailable |
| Puerto Rico | Office $168.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Queens | Office $193.33 | Facility Unavailable |
| Redding | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of California | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Florida | Office $162.64 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Georgia | Office $153.65 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | Office $157.41 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Louisiana | Office $152.06 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Maine | Office $155.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Maryland | Office $168.31 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | Office $173.34 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Michigan | Office $156.10 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Missouri | Office $149.22 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of New Jersey | Office $180.06 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of New York | Office $159.48 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Oregon | Office $165.27 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | Office $156.18 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | Office $159.96 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Washington | Office $173.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rhode Island | Office $171.22 | Facility Unavailable |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | Office $179.00 | Facility Unavailable |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | Office $187.16 | Facility Unavailable |
| Salinas | Office $186.47 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | Office $191.11 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | Office $220.26 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | Office $220.16 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | Office $225.08 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | Office $224.67 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | Office $183.42 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | Office $193.14 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | Office $187.24 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | Office $195.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | Office $196.59 | Facility Unavailable |
| South Carolina | Office $156.65 | Facility Unavailable |
| South Dakota** | Office $164.67 | Facility Unavailable |
| Southern Maine | Office $164.43 | Facility Unavailable |
| Stockton | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | Office $172.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| Tennessee | Office $153.82 | Facility Unavailable |
| Utah | Office $158.81 | Facility Unavailable |
| Vallejo | Office $207.47 | Facility Unavailable |
| Vermont | Office $163.93 | Facility Unavailable |
| Virgin Islands | Office $168.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| Virginia | Office $163.65 | Facility Unavailable |
| Visalia | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
| West Virginia | Office $151.47 | Facility Unavailable |
| Wisconsin | Office $159.30 | Facility Unavailable |
| Wyoming** | Office $165.89 | Facility Unavailable |
| Yuba City | Office $178.01 | Facility Unavailable |
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71260 billing questions
When should this code be chosen over the without-contrast or with-and-without chest CT codes?
Use 71260 when diagnostic chest images are acquired after IV contrast without a separate precontrast diagnostic series. Report 71250 for a study without contrast or 71270 when both precontrast and postcontrast diagnostic series are obtained.
Can this code be reported for a CT to rule out pulmonary embolism?
A chest CT angiography study performed with a pulmonary embolism protocol is reported with 71275. Use 71260 for a routine contrast-enhanced chest CT rather than an angiographic study.
How is a CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis with contrast coded?
Report 71260 for the chest and 74177 for the abdomen and pelvis when each study meets its descriptor. Medicare's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction can affect the technical and professional components of eligible lower-ranked services furnished on the same day.
Which modifier does a radiologist reading a hospital outpatient study use?
The radiologist appends modifier 26 to report only the interpretation. A freestanding center reports the global service without a component modifier only when it bills for both the technical service and interpretation.
Is the contrast agent separately billable?
Contrast injection is part of the CT service. A contrast supply may be reported separately when permitted in the billing setting; choose a HCPCS supply code that matches the agent and its iodine concentration rather than using Q9967 for every low-osmolar agent.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.
Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.
7,91071250,,Ct thorax dx c-,A,,1.05,2.85,,2.85,NA,0.07,3.97,3.97,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,88,3.55,3.55,0.07
7,91171250,26,Ct thorax dx c-,A,,1.05,0.37,,0.37,,0.06,1.48,1.48,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,88,0.00,0.00,0.00
7,91271250,TC,Ct thorax dx c-,A,,0.00,2.48,,2.48,NA,0.01,2.49,2.49,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,01,0,88,3.18,3.18,0.01
7,91371260,,Ct thorax dx c+,A,,1.13,3.77,,3.77,NA,0.09,4.99,4.99,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,88,5.74,5.74,0.10
7,91471260,26,Ct thorax dx c+,A,,1.13,0.41,,0.41,,0.07,1.61,1.61,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,88,0.00,0.00,0.00
7,91571260,TC,Ct thorax dx c+,A,,0.00,3.36,,3.36,NA,0.02,3.38,3.38,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,02,0,88,5.33,5.33,0.03
7,91671270,,Ct thorax dx c-/c+,A,,1.22,4.55,,4.55,NA,0.09,5.86,5.86,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,4,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,88,5.77,5.77,0.10