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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

72120 in Austin

Office / nonfacility

$44.02

Base rate per service

Facility setting

Not available in this setting

Base rate per service

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.

Diagnostic radiology

About 72120: Lumbar spine bending radiographs

Reports lumbar spine radiographs limited to bending views, typically obtained to assess motion when spinal instability is suspected.

This service covers lumbar and lumbosacral X-rays taken in bending positions, commonly flexion and extension, without a routine complete series. A clinician may order these views when symptoms or examination raise concern for abnormal movement, such as possible lumbar instability. A radiologic technologist obtains the images, and a qualified practitioner interprets them. The service may be performed in an imaging center, hospital, or office with radiography equipment.

Report 72120 when the study consists of bending views only; use the documented examination and images to distinguish it from a complete lumbar series that also includes bending views. The record should support the reason for dynamic imaging and include the interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. Billing without either modifier represents the global service, including both components.

CMS billing rules for 72120

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 RVU0.21 · 17%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU1.03 · 82%
  • Malpractice RVU0.02 · 2%

42.5K

Medicare services in 2024 · #843 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.

72120 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Austin, from the same CMS release.

72114

Spine X-ray

Six or more views

$64.66

72120 covers bending views only. Choose 72114 when the documented study includes a complete lumbar series along with bending views.

72110

Lumbar spine X-ray

Minimum of four views

$55.90

72110 is for a broader routine lumbar radiographic series. It is not the bending-views-only service reported with 72120.

72100

Lumbar spine X-ray

Two or three views

$42.25

72100 describes a limited routine lumbar series, while 72120 is selected for bending views only.

The same code, a different location

How does Austin compare?

In Beaumont, the office rate for 72120 is $38.94—$5.08 lower than the $44.02 rate in Austin. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

72120 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Austin · This locality

    $44.02

  2. Beaumont

    $38.94

    $5.08 lower than Austin

  3. Brazoria

    $41.68

    $2.34 lower than Austin

  4. Dallas

    $41.92

    $2.10 lower than Austin

  5. Fort Worth

    $41.58

    $2.44 lower than Austin

  6. Galveston

    $41.79

    $2.23 lower than Austin

  7. Houston

    $42.15

    $1.87 lower than Austin

Other payment areas listed in Texas appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 72120 ranges from $36.91 in Arkansas to $57.75 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 72120

    Office

    $40.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.75 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    California · 72120

    Office

    $48.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.42 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 72120

    Office

    $48.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.64 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 72120

    Office

    $44.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.50 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 72120

    Office

    $43.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.85 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 72120

    Office

    $48.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.48 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 72120

    Office

    $47.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.51 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 72120

    Office

    $37.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.53 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 72120

    Office

    $36.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.11 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 72120

    Office

    $40.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.10 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Bakersfield

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.24 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Chico

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • El Centro

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Fresno

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Hanford-Corcoran

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Madera

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 72120

    Office

    $53.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.12 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 72120

    Office

    $48.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.27 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.40 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 72120

    Office

    $47.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.62 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 72120

    Office

    $47.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.44 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 72120

    Office

    $48.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.71 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 72120

    Office

    $56.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.48 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 72120

    Office

    $56.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.45 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 72120

    Office

    $57.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.73 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 72120

    Office

    $57.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.64 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 72120

    Office

    $46.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.66 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 72120

    Office

    $49.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.30 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 72120

    Office

    $47.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.66 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 72120

    Office

    $49.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.81 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 72120

    Office

    $53.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.09 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 72120

    Office

    $45.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.18 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 72120

    Office

    $44.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.20 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 72120

    Office

    $45.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.99 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 72120

    Office

    $41.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.38 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 72120

    Office

    $43.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.95 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 72120

    Office

    $40.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.11 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 72120

    Office

    $42.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.23 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 72120

    Office

    $38.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.52 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 72120

    Office

    $46.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.50 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 72120

    Office

    $38.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.26 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 72120

    Office

    $38.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.04 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 72120

    Office

    $40.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.01 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 72120

    Office

    $39.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.55 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 72120

    Office

    $43.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.44 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 72120

    Office

    $39.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.79 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 72120

    Office

    $38.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.57 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 72120

    Office

    $38.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.81 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 72120

    Office

    $40.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.87 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 72120

    Office

    $38.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.92 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 72120

    Office

    $48.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.95 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 72120

    Office

    $43.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.13 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 72120

    Office

    $44.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.85 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 72120

    Office

    $42.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.51 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 72120

    Office

    $39.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.94 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 72120

    Office

    $41.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.49 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 72120

    Office

    $41.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.68 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 72120

    Office

    $39.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.84 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 72120

    Office

    $42.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.41 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 72120

    Office

    $39.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.05 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 72120

    Office

    $40.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.58 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 72120

    Office

    $37.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.70 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 72120

    Office

    $37.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.89 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 72120

    Office

    $42.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.94 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 72120

    Office

    $39.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.48 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 72120

    Office

    $41.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.33 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 72120

    Office

    $39.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.00 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 72120

    Office

    $43.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.61 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 72120

    Office

    $48.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.06 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 72120

    Office

    $45.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.58 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 72120

    Office

    $39.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.66 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 72120

    Office

    $42.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.01 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 72120

    Office

    $49.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.59 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 72120

    Office

    $45.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.79 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 72120

    Office

    $49.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.07 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 72120

    Office

    $40.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.85 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 72120

    Office

    $39.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.92 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 72120

    Office

    $38.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.76 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 72120

    Office

    $45.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.83 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 72120

    Office

    $41.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.27 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 72120

    Office

    $43.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.27 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 72120

    Office

    $39.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.79 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 72120

    Office

    $42.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.57 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 72120

    Office

    $43.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.74 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 72120

    Office

    $39.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.65 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 72120

    Office

    $41.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.38 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 72120

    Office

    $38.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.37 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 72120

    Office

    $39.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.07 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 72120

    Office

    $41.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.72 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 72120

    Office

    $42.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.57 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 72120

    Office

    $41.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.61 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 72120

    Office

    $43.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.18 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 72120

    Office

    $50.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.10 higher than Austin for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 72120

    Office

    $40.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.84 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 72120

    Office

    $37.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.15 lower than Austin for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 72120

    Office

    $41.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.11 lower than Austin for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

72120 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$36.91

$51.48

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$47.531
AL$37.491
AR$36.911
AZ$40.921
CA$45.20–$57.7529
CO$44.221
CT$45.011
DC$48.661
DE$41.641
FL$40.91–$44.523
GA$38.50–$42.792
GU$46.521
HI$46.521
IA$38.761
ID$38.981
IL$39.47–$43.584
IN$39.231
KS$38.451
KY$38.211
LA$38.10–$40.152
MA$43.89–$48.972
MD$42.51–$48.663
ME$39.08–$41.532
MI$39.18–$41.342
MN$42.611
MO$37.32–$40.443
MS$37.131
MT$42.081
NC$39.541
ND$41.691
NE$39.021
NH$43.411
NJ$45.60–$48.082
NM$39.361
NV$42.011
NY$40.17–$49.615
OH$39.101
OK$38.261
OR$41.75–$45.852
PA$39.23–$43.752
PR$42.451
RI$43.281
SC$39.371
SD$41.641
TN$38.651
TX$38.94–$44.028
UT$39.951
VA$41.30–$48.662
VI$42.451
VT$41.411
WA$43.84–$50.122
WI$40.181
WV$37.871
WY$41.911

Explore 72120 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Austin is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 31 cities and communities in Texas, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in Texas →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 72120 in Austin. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$48.42

$44.02 × 110% = $48.42

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 72120 in Austin.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,982

Code
72120
Physician work
0.21
Practice expense
1.03
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

96

Locality
Austin
Physician work
1.002
Practice expense
1.058
Malpractice
0.886
Office / nonfacility calculation for 72120 in Austin
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.21× 1.0020.2104
Practice expense1.03× 1.0581.0897
Malpractice0.02× 0.8860.0177
Total RVUs1.3179
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Austin$44.02

Open 72120 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.211.002
Practice expense1.031.058
Malpractice0.020.886

(0.21 × 1.002 + 1.03 × 1.058 + 0.02 × 0.886) × $33.4009 = $44.02

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

72120 · Office / nonfacility

$44.02

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.15 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $40.87 to $44.02 (7.7%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $40.87changed to$44.02

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.03
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.058
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.914 changed to 0.886

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $40.87

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$44.02Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$44.02Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$44.02Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$44.02Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$40.87Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$40.87Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$40.87Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$40.87Not available in this settingRVU25A

72120 billing questions

When should 72120 be reported instead of 72114?

Use 72120 for bending views only. Use 72114 when the examination includes a complete lumbar series with bending views.

Can the interpretation and imaging service be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports 72120?

The record should support the clinical reason for dynamic imaging and show that the study consisted of bending views only. The interpreting practitioner’s report should document the findings.

Is 72120 for routine lumbar views?

No. It is for bending views only; routine views as part of a broader lumbar examination point to a different radiography code based on the study performed.

Who typically performs and interprets this study?

A radiologic technologist generally obtains the images, while a qualified practitioner interprets them. The service may be performed in an imaging center, hospital, or properly equipped office.

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.

RVUs for 72120PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,982 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AustinGPCI2026.csv, line 96 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet