$29.12–$44.86
72070 is a two-view thoracic-spine exam. Choose 72080 when standing images cover the thoracolumbar region.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
72080 Spine X-ray Medicare reimbursement rates
Reports standing X-rays of the thoracolumbar spine, typically obtained to assess spinal alignment or scoliosis across the thoracic and lumbar junction. Compare 72080 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 72080?
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
$30.84–$47.75
109 of 109 localities have a supported rate.
Lowest: Arkansas
Highest: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
A spread of $16.91 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 72080 pays more and less
109 payment localities
$30.84 to $47.75
Radiology
About 72080: Standing thoracolumbar spine radiographs
Reports standing X-rays of the thoracolumbar spine, typically obtained to assess spinal alignment or scoliosis across the thoracic and lumbar junction.
This exam captures standing radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine, generally in two or three views, to show alignment across the junction of the thoracic and lumbar regions. It is commonly ordered when a clinician is evaluating scoliosis or another alignment concern involving that area. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an office or imaging facility; a qualified practitioner interprets them.
Select this code when the documented exam covers the thoracolumbar region and the images meet the code’s view count. The order and imaging report should support the anatomy examined, standing technique, number of views, and clinical reason, such as scoliosis assessment. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff service, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.
CMS billing rules for 72080
- 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.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU0.20 · 19%
- Practice expense (office) RVU0.83 · 79%
- Malpractice RVU0.02 · 2%
47.2K
Medicare services in 2024 · #803 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.
72080 compared with similar codes
Office rate ranges across all CMS payment localities, from the same CMS release.
$38.77–$60.31
72074 describes four or more views of the thoracic spine. It does not represent the thoracolumbar standing exam described by 72080.
$62.75–$99.32
72082 covers the entire spine in two or three views; 72080 is limited to the thoracolumbar region.
See how rates vary across the country
72080 · 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.
$30.84
$42.64
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 | $39.91 | 1 |
| AL | $31.32 | 1 |
| AR | $30.84 | 1 |
| AZ | $34.12 | 1 |
| CA | $37.54–$47.75 | 29 |
| CO | $36.78 | 1 |
| CT | $37.48 | 1 |
| DC | $40.44 | 1 |
| DE | $34.70 | 1 |
| FL | $34.19–$37.23 | 3 |
| GA | $32.21–$35.67 | 2 |
| GU | $38.59 | 1 |
| HI | $38.59 | 1 |
| IA | $32.31 | 1 |
| ID | $32.50 | 1 |
| IL | $33.04–$36.38 | 4 |
| IN | $32.70 | 1 |
| KS | $32.08 | 1 |
| KY | $31.94 | 1 |
| LA | $31.85–$33.53 | 2 |
| MA | $36.51–$40.65 | 2 |
| MD | $35.42–$40.44 | 3 |
| ME | $32.60–$34.57 | 2 |
| MI | $32.75–$34.56 | 2 |
| MN | $35.40 | 1 |
| MO | $31.23–$33.74 | 3 |
| MS | $31.04 | 1 |
| MT | $35.07 | 1 |
| NC | $32.97 | 1 |
| ND | $34.67 | 1 |
| NE | $32.52 | 1 |
| NH | $36.12 | 1 |
| NJ | $37.95–$39.97 | 2 |
| NM | $32.90 | 1 |
| NV | $34.99 | 1 |
| NY | $33.49–$41.31 | 5 |
| OH | $32.66 | 1 |
| OK | $31.96 | 1 |
| OR | $34.76–$38.08 | 2 |
| PA | $32.76–$36.46 | 2 |
| PR | $35.37 | 1 |
| RI | $36.04 | 1 |
| SC | $32.86 | 1 |
| SD | $34.63 | 1 |
| TN | $32.24 | 1 |
| TX | $32.53–$36.62 | 8 |
| UT | $33.34 | 1 |
| VA | $34.40–$40.44 | 2 |
| VI | $35.37 | 1 |
| VT | $34.46 | 1 |
| WA | $36.47–$41.58 | 2 |
| WI | $33.44 | 1 |
| WV | $31.73 | 1 |
| WY | $34.90 | 1 |
Compare 72080 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 $31.32 | Facility Unavailable |
| Alaska* | Office $39.91 | Facility Unavailable |
| Arizona | Office $34.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| Arkansas | Office $30.84 | Facility Unavailable |
| Atlanta | Office $35.67 | Facility Unavailable |
| Austin | Office $36.62 | Facility Unavailable |
| Bakersfield | Office $37.60 | Facility Unavailable |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | Office $37.36 | Facility Unavailable |
| Beaumont | Office $32.53 | Facility Unavailable |
| Brazoria | Office $34.73 | Facility Unavailable |
| Chicago | Office $36.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| Chico | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Colorado | Office $36.78 | Facility Unavailable |
| Connecticut | Office $37.48 | Facility Unavailable |
| Dallas | Office $34.93 | Facility Unavailable |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | Office $40.44 | Facility Unavailable |
| Delaware | Office $34.70 | Facility Unavailable |
| Detroit | Office $34.56 | Facility Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | Office $33.53 | Facility Unavailable |
| El Centro | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fort Lauderdale | Office $35.97 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | Office $34.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| Fresno | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Galveston | Office $34.82 | Facility Unavailable |
| Hanford-Corcoran | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Hawaii, Guam | Office $38.59 | Facility Unavailable |
| Houston | Office $35.18 | Facility Unavailable |
| Idaho | Office $32.50 | Facility Unavailable |
| Indiana | Office $32.70 | Facility Unavailable |
| Iowa | Office $32.31 | Facility Unavailable |
| Kansas | Office $32.08 | Facility Unavailable |
| Kentucky | Office $31.94 | Facility Unavailable |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | Office $40.19 | Facility Unavailable |
| Madera | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Manhattan | Office $40.38 | Facility Unavailable |
| Merced | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Boston | Office $40.65 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | Office $33.36 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | Office $36.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | Office $33.74 | Facility Unavailable |
| Miami | Office $37.23 | Facility Unavailable |
| Minnesota | Office $35.40 | Facility Unavailable |
| Mississippi | Office $31.04 | Facility Unavailable |
| Modesto | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Montana** | Office $35.07 | Facility Unavailable |
| Napa | Office $43.98 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nebraska | Office $32.52 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nevada** | Office $34.99 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Hampshire | Office $36.12 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Mexico | Office $32.90 | Facility Unavailable |
| New Orleans | Office $33.53 | Facility Unavailable |
| North Carolina | Office $32.97 | Facility Unavailable |
| North Dakota** | Office $34.67 | Facility Unavailable |
| Northern Nj | Office $39.97 | Facility Unavailable |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | Office $41.31 | Facility Unavailable |
| Ohio | Office $32.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| Oklahoma | Office $31.96 | Facility Unavailable |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | Office $40.05 | Facility Unavailable |
| Portland | Office $38.08 | Facility Unavailable |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | Office $38.15 | Facility Unavailable |
| Puerto Rico | Office $35.37 | Facility Unavailable |
| Queens | Office $40.84 | Facility Unavailable |
| Redding | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of California | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Florida | Office $34.19 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Georgia | Office $32.21 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | Office $33.04 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Louisiana | Office $31.85 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Maine | Office $32.60 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Maryland | Office $35.42 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | Office $36.51 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Michigan | Office $32.75 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Missouri | Office $31.23 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of New Jersey | Office $37.95 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of New York | Office $33.49 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Oregon | Office $34.76 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | Office $32.76 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | Office $33.59 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rest Of Washington | Office $36.47 | Facility Unavailable |
| Rhode Island | Office $36.04 | Facility Unavailable |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | Office $37.75 | Facility Unavailable |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | Office $39.52 | Facility Unavailable |
| Salinas | Office $39.38 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | Office $40.40 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | Office $46.71 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | Office $46.69 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | Office $47.75 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | Office $47.66 | Facility Unavailable |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | Office $38.73 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | Office $40.86 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | Office $39.55 | Facility Unavailable |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | Office $41.28 | Facility Unavailable |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | Office $41.58 | Facility Unavailable |
| South Carolina | Office $32.86 | Facility Unavailable |
| South Dakota** | Office $34.63 | Facility Unavailable |
| Southern Maine | Office $34.57 | Facility Unavailable |
| Stockton | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | Office $36.38 | Facility Unavailable |
| Tennessee | Office $32.24 | Facility Unavailable |
| Utah | Office $33.34 | Facility Unavailable |
| Vallejo | Office $43.95 | Facility Unavailable |
| Vermont | Office $34.46 | Facility Unavailable |
| Virgin Islands | Office $35.37 | Facility Unavailable |
| Virginia | Office $34.40 | Facility Unavailable |
| Visalia | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
| West Virginia | Office $31.73 | Facility Unavailable |
| Wisconsin | Office $33.44 | Facility Unavailable |
| Wyoming** | Office $34.90 | Facility Unavailable |
| Yuba City | Office $37.54 | Facility Unavailable |
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72080 billing questions
How does this differ from a whole-spine scoliosis exam?
This code is for standing imaging of the thoracolumbar region. Use a whole-spine code, such as 72082, when the exam covers the entire spine.
Which view count belongs to this code?
The code describes a standing thoracolumbar exam with two or three views. Check the imaging record for the documented views and anatomic coverage.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting this exam?
The order and report should identify the thoracolumbar coverage, standing technique, views obtained, and reason for imaging, such as evaluation of spinal alignment or scoliosis.
Should each image or view be billed as a separate service?
No. Report the exam as one service using the code that matches its anatomic coverage and view count, rather than billing each view separately.
When is a thoracic-spine code more appropriate?
Choose a thoracic-spine code when the documented exam is limited to the thoracic spine. This code is for imaging that covers the thoracolumbar region.
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.
7,95572074,,X-ray exam thorac spine4/>vw,A,,0.24,1.06,,1.06,NA,0.02,1.32,1.32,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,3.25,3.25,0.04
7,95672074,26,X-ray exam thorac spine4/>vw,A,,0.24,0.09,,0.09,,0.01,0.34,0.34,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
7,95772074,TC,X-ray exam thorac spine4/>vw,A,,0.00,0.97,,0.97,NA,0.01,0.98,0.98,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,01,0,99,3.16,3.16,0.03
7,95872080,,X-ray exam thoracolmb 2/> vw,A,,0.20,0.83,,0.83,NA,0.02,1.05,1.05,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,2.72,2.72,0.05
7,95972080,26,X-ray exam thoracolmb 2/> vw,A,,0.20,0.09,,0.09,,0.01,0.30,0.30,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
7,96072080,TC,X-ray exam thoracolmb 2/> vw,A,,0.00,0.74,,0.74,NA,0.01,0.75,0.75,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,01,0,99,2.63,2.63,0.04
7,96172081,,X-ray exam entire spi 1 vw,A,,0.25,1.04,,1.04,NA,0.03,1.32,1.32,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,2.74,2.74,0.05