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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

71271 in Chico

Office / nonfacility

$145.09

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 imaging

About 71271: Low-dose lung cancer screening CT

Low-dose CT of the chest screens eligible asymptomatic patients for lung cancer and is reported when the study is performed under a screening indication.

Code 71271 represents a low-dose, noncontrast CT acquisition of the chest performed to screen for lung cancer, rather than to investigate symptoms or a known abnormality. A CT technologist typically performs the scan in an outpatient imaging department or imaging center, and a radiologist reviews the images for pulmonary nodules and other suspicious findings. The service is used for screening in eligible patients without lung cancer symptoms; a nodule already under diagnostic evaluation or a new respiratory complaint calls for diagnostic imaging selection instead.

Report 71271 for the screening study and retain documentation identifying its screening purpose and low-dose, noncontrast protocol; the radiology report supports the interpretation. A radiology group may bill the professional interpretation with modifier 26, the imaging facility may bill the equipment and staff with modifier TC, and a supplier furnishing the complete service bills globally without either modifier. CMS applies the diagnostic-imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when applicable.

CMS billing rules for 71271

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 RVU1.05 · 26%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU2.95 · 72%
  • Malpractice RVU0.08 · 2%

475K

Medicare services in 2024 · #235 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.

71271 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Chico, from the same CMS release.

71250

Chest CT

Diagnostic, without contrast

$141.25

71271 is low-dose, noncontrast imaging for lung cancer screening. 71250 is a diagnostic chest CT without contrast.

71260

Chest CT with contrast

Contrast-enhanced images only

$178.01

71260 is a diagnostic chest CT performed with contrast; 71271 is a low-dose, noncontrast screening study.

71270

Chest CT

Without and with contrast

$209.62

71270 is diagnostic chest imaging performed without and with contrast. 71271 is used for lung cancer screening without contrast.

71275

Ct angiography chest

No office rate

71275 is chest CT angiography for vascular imaging. 71271 is a low-dose chest CT performed to screen for lung cancer.

The same code, a different location

How does Chico compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 71271 is $145.36—$0.27 higher than the $145.09 rate in Chico. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

71271 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Chico · This locality

    $145.09

  2. Bakersfield

    $145.36

    $0.27 higher than Chico

  3. El Centro

    $145.10

    $0.01 higher than Chico

  4. Fresno

    $145.09

    The same base rate than Chico

  5. Hanford-Corcoran

    $145.09

    The same base rate than Chico

  6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $154.85

    $9.76 higher than Chico

  7. Madera

    $145.09

    The same base rate than Chico

Other payment areas listed in California 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, 71271 ranges from $121.09 in Arkansas to $182.45 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

  • Merced

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 71271

    Office

    $168.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.41 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 71271

    Office

    $154.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.09 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.88 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 71271

    Office

    $152.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.27 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 71271

    Office

    $151.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.70 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 71271

    Office

    $155.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.33 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 71271

    Office

    $178.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.47 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 71271

    Office

    $178.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.38 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 71271

    Office

    $182.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.36 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 71271

    Office

    $182.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.98 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 71271

    Office

    $149.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.24 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 71271

    Office

    $156.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.87 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 71271

    Office

    $152.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.28 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 71271

    Office

    $158.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.46 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 71271

    Office

    $168.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.28 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 71271

    Office

    $145.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 71271

    Office

    $156.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.92 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 71271

    Office

    $144.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.69 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 71271

    Office

    $140.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.62 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 71271

    Office

    $156.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.96 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 71271

    Office

    $159.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.93 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 71271

    Office

    $122.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.29 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 71271

    Office

    $121.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 71271

    Office

    $132.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.25 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 71271

    Office

    $142.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 71271

    Office

    $145.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.04 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 71271

    Office

    $135.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.09 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 71271

    Office

    $139.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.37 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 71271

    Office

    $133.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 71271

    Office

    $138.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.60 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 71271

    Office

    $126.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.94 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 71271

    Office

    $148.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.56 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 71271

    Office

    $126.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.80 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 71271

    Office

    $126.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.11 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 71271

    Office

    $131.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.99 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 71271

    Office

    $129.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.88 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 71271

    Office

    $141.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.85 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 71271

    Office

    $127.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.38 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 71271

    Office

    $125.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.60 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 71271

    Office

    $125.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.98 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 71271

    Office

    $130.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.26 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 71271

    Office

    $124.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.26 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 71271

    Office

    $156.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.44 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 71271

    Office

    $141.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.57 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 71271

    Office

    $144.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.43 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 71271

    Office

    $137.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 71271

    Office

    $127.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.71 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 71271

    Office

    $134.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.69 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 71271

    Office

    $134.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.43 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 71271

    Office

    $128.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 71271

    Office

    $137.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 71271

    Office

    $130.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.89 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 71271

    Office

    $131.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 71271

    Office

    $122.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.48 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 71271

    Office

    $121.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.21 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 71271

    Office

    $136.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.82 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 71271

    Office

    $128.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.38 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 71271

    Office

    $134.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.40 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 71271

    Office

    $127.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 71271

    Office

    $139.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.11 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 71271

    Office

    $154.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.34 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 71271

    Office

    $147.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.91 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 71271

    Office

    $128.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.46 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 71271

    Office

    $135.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.16 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 71271

    Office

    $159.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.34 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 71271

    Office

    $147.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.69 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 71271

    Office

    $157.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.54 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 71271

    Office

    $130.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 71271

    Office

    $127.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.37 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 71271

    Office

    $125.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.95 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 71271

    Office

    $147.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.00 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 71271

    Office

    $135.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 71271

    Office

    $141.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.63 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 71271

    Office

    $128.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 71271

    Office

    $137.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 71271

    Office

    $139.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.18 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 71271

    Office

    $128.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 71271

    Office

    $134.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.59 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 71271

    Office

    $126.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.02 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $141.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.33 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $127.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.87 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $135.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.01 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $135.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.27 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $134.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $135.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.68 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $136.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 71271

    Office

    $130.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.10 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 71271

    Office

    $130.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 71271

    Office

    $133.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.27 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 71271

    Office

    $137.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 71271

    Office

    $133.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.12 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 71271

    Office

    $141.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 71271

    Office

    $159.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.82 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 71271

    Office

    $130.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.80 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 71271

    Office

    $124.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.57 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 71271

    Office

    $135.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

71271 · 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.

$121.09

$163.77

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$159.021
AL$122.801
AR$121.091
AZ$132.841
CA$145.09–$182.4529
CO$142.421
CT$145.131
DC$156.011
DE$135.001
FL$133.28–$144.403
GA$126.15–$138.492
GU$148.651
HI$148.651
IA$126.291
ID$126.981
IL$129.21–$141.244
IN$127.711
KS$125.491
KY$125.111
LA$124.83–$130.832
MA$141.52–$156.532
MD$137.59–$156.013
ME$127.38–$134.402
MI$128.05–$134.662
MN$137.251
MO$122.61–$131.553
MS$121.881
MT$136.271
NC$128.711
ND$134.691
NE$127.031
NH$139.981
NJ$147.00–$154.432
NM$128.631
NV$135.931
NY$130.56–$159.435
OH$127.721
OK$125.141
OR$135.09–$147.092
PA$128.05–$141.462
PR$137.321
RI$139.911
SC$128.391
SD$134.501
TN$126.071
TX$127.22–$141.768
UT$130.091
VA$133.82–$156.012
VI$137.321
VT$133.971
WA$141.32–$159.912
WI$130.291
WV$124.521
WY$135.581

Explore 71271 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Chico is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California, 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 California →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 71271 in Chico. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$159.60

$145.09 × 110% = $159.60

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.

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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 71271 in Chico.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,919

Code
71271
Physician work
1.05
Practice expense
2.95
Malpractice
0.08

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 71271 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.05× 1.0171.0678
Practice expense2.95× 1.0963.2332
Malpractice0.08× 0.5360.0429
Total RVUs4.3439
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Chico$145.09

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 71271 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.051.017
Practice expense2.951.096
Malpractice0.080.536

(1.05 × 1.017 + 2.95 × 1.096 + 0.08 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $145.09

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

71271 · Office / nonfacility

$145.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $144.17 to $145.09 (0.6%).

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

    $144.17changed to$145.09

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.08 changed to 1.05
    • Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 2.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $144.17

    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$145.09Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$145.09Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$145.09Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$145.09Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$144.17Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$144.17Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$144.17Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$144.17Not available in this settingRVU25A

71271 billing questions

When should 71271 be chosen over a diagnostic chest CT?

Use 71271 when the study is performed as low-dose lung cancer screening. A scan to evaluate symptoms, a known nodule, or another abnormal finding is diagnostic rather than screening.

How are the interpretation and scan acquisition billed?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. A supplier billing the complete service reports 71271 without either modifier.

Does the multiple-procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic-imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when applicable.

What documentation supports reporting 71271?

Document the screening indication and the low-dose, noncontrast chest CT protocol. The radiology report should support the interpretation billed.

Can 71271 be used to follow a previously identified lung nodule?

A study ordered to evaluate or monitor a known nodule is diagnostic imaging, not a screening examination. Select the diagnostic chest CT code that matches the study 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 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 71271PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,919 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet