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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

72129 in Chico

Office / nonfacility

$180.78

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 72129: Thoracic spine CT with contrast

Reports a contrast-enhanced CT of the thoracic spine when the ordered study uses contrast without a noncontrast acquisition.

This service is a CT examination of the thoracic spine acquired after contrast administration, with images interpreted for vertebral and surrounding spinal findings. Radiology departments and imaging centers commonly perform it; a radiologist typically interprets the study. Clinical situations may include evaluation of a suspected enhancing vertebral or paraspinal abnormality, such as a neoplasm or infection, when the imaging protocol calls for contrast-only CT.

Select this code when the documented examination is of the thoracic spine and uses contrast without a separate noncontrast series. The order, imaging report, and protocol should support the spinal region and contrast technique; use the combined-study code when both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions are performed. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, the multiple procedure reduction applies to both components.

CMS billing rules for 72129

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 RVU1.19 · 23%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU3.79 · 75%
  • Malpractice RVU0.09 · 2%

46K

Medicare services in 2024 · #811 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.

72129 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Chico, from the same CMS release.

72128

Spine CT

Thoracic, no contrast

$138.87

72128 is for a thoracic spine CT performed without contrast. Choose this code when the study uses contrast only.

72130

Thoracic spine CT

Without and with contrast

$212.13

72130 is for a thoracic spine CT with both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions; this code describes contrast-only imaging.

72147

Thoracic MRI

With contrast only

$290.42

72147 reports thoracic spine MRI with contrast, not CT. The modality documented in the imaging record determines which code applies.

The same code, a different location

How does Chico compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 72129 is $181.07—$0.29 higher than the $180.78 rate in Chico. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

72129 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Chico · This locality

    $180.78

  2. Bakersfield

    $181.07

    $0.29 higher than Chico

  3. El Centro

    $180.79

    $0.01 higher than Chico

  4. Fresno

    $180.78

    The same base rate than Chico

  5. Hanford-Corcoran

    $180.78

    The same base rate than Chico

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

    $193.13

    $12.35 higher than Chico

  7. Madera

    $180.78

    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, 72129 ranges from $150.04 in Arkansas to $228.27 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 · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 72129

    Office

    $210.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $29.84 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 72129

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.58 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 72129

    Office

    $181.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.99 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 72129

    Office

    $190.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.23 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 72129

    Office

    $189.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.53 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 72129

    Office

    $193.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.19 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 72129

    Office

    $223.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $42.61 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 72129

    Office

    $223.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $42.51 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 72129

    Office

    $228.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $47.49 higher than Chico for the office setting.

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

    California · 72129

    Office

    $227.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $47.07 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 72129

    Office

    $186.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.44 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 72129

    Office

    $196.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.22 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 72129

    Office

    $190.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.29 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 72129

    Office

    $198.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.22 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 72129

    Office

    $210.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $29.70 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 72129

    Office

    $180.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 72129

    Office

    $194.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.58 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 72129

    Office

    $179.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.65 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 72129

    Office

    $174.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.63 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 72129

    Office

    $194.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.38 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 72129

    Office

    $196.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.31 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 72129

    Office

    $152.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.57 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 72129

    Office

    $150.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.74 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 72129

    Office

    $164.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.79 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 72129

    Office

    $177.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.52 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 72129

    Office

    $180.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.26 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 72129

    Office

    $167.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 72129

    Office

    $173.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.36 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 72129

    Office

    $165.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 72129

    Office

    $172.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.69 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 72129

    Office

    $156.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 72129

    Office

    $185.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.64 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 72129

    Office

    $156.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.01 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 72129

    Office

    $157.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.15 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 72129

    Office

    $162.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.52 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 72129

    Office

    $160.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.76 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 72129

    Office

    $175.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.42 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 72129

    Office

    $158.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 72129

    Office

    $155.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.08 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 72129

    Office

    $155.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.74 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 72129

    Office

    $162.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 72129

    Office

    $154.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.12 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 72129

    Office

    $195.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.42 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 72129

    Office

    $176.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 72129

    Office

    $179.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.85 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 72129

    Office

    $171.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 72129

    Office

    $158.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 72129

    Office

    $167.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.69 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 72129

    Office

    $166.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 72129

    Office

    $158.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 72129

    Office

    $170.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.88 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 72129

    Office

    $161.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.23 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 72129

    Office

    $163.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 72129

    Office

    $151.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.98 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 72129

    Office

    $150.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $29.82 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 72129

    Office

    $169.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.44 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 72129

    Office

    $159.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 72129

    Office

    $167.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 72129

    Office

    $157.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.05 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 72129

    Office

    $174.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.62 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 72129

    Office

    $192.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.53 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 72129

    Office

    $182.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.09 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 72129

    Office

    $159.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.34 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 72129

    Office

    $168.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 72129

    Office

    $198.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.61 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 72129

    Office

    $183.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.01 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 72129

    Office

    $196.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.47 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 72129

    Office

    $162.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.66 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 72129

    Office

    $158.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.43 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 72129

    Office

    $155.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.65 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 72129

    Office

    $183.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.48 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 72129

    Office

    $167.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 72129

    Office

    $175.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.95 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 72129

    Office

    $158.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.98 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 72129

    Office

    $170.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.09 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 72129

    Office

    $173.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.83 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 72129

    Office

    $159.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.51 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 72129

    Office

    $167.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.43 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 72129

    Office

    $156.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.35 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $176.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.36 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $157.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $167.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.92 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $168.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.01 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $167.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.24 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $168.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.52 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $169.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.88 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 72129

    Office

    $162.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.19 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 72129

    Office

    $161.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.34 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 72129

    Office

    $166.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.47 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 72129

    Office

    $170.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.09 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 72129

    Office

    $166.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.19 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 72129

    Office

    $175.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.93 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 72129

    Office

    $199.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.74 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 72129

    Office

    $161.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.83 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 72129

    Office

    $154.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.73 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 72129

    Office

    $168.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.22 lower than Chico for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

72129 · 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.

$150.04

$204.53

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$196.091
AL$152.211
AR$150.041
AZ$164.991
CA$180.78–$228.2729
CO$177.261
CT$180.521
DC$194.361
DE$167.721
FL$165.28–$179.133
GA$156.25–$172.092
GU$185.421
HI$185.421
IA$156.771
ID$157.631
IL$160.02–$175.364
IN$158.561
KS$155.701
KY$155.041
LA$154.66–$162.282
MA$176.08–$195.202
MD$171.01–$194.363
ME$158.08–$167.092
MI$158.72–$166.972
MN$170.901
MO$151.80–$163.273
MS$150.961
MT$169.341
NC$159.781
ND$167.561
NE$157.731
NH$174.161
NJ$182.87–$192.312
NM$159.441
NV$168.971
NY$162.12–$198.395
OH$158.351
OK$155.131
OR$167.94–$183.262
PA$158.80–$175.832
PR$170.691
RI$173.951
SC$159.271
SD$167.351
TN$156.431
TX$157.74–$176.428
UT$161.441
VA$166.31–$194.362
VI$170.691
VT$166.591
WA$175.85–$199.522
WI$161.951
WV$154.051
WY$168.561

Explore 72129 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 72129 in Chico. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$198.86

$180.78 × 110% = $198.86

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 72129 in Chico.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,997

Code
72129
Physician work
1.19
Practice expense
3.79
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 72129 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.19× 1.0171.2102
Practice expense3.79× 1.0964.1538
Malpractice0.09× 0.5360.0482
Total RVUs5.4123
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Chico$180.78

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

Open 72129 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.191.017
Practice expense3.791.096
Malpractice0.090.536

(1.19 × 1.017 + 3.79 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $180.78

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

72129 · Office / nonfacility

$180.78

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.14 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $178.64 to $180.78 (1.2%).

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

    $178.64changed to$180.78

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.22 changed to 1.19
    • Practice expense RVU 3.88 changed to 3.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • 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: $178.64

    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$180.78Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$180.78Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$180.78Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$180.78Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$178.64Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$178.64Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$178.64Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$178.64Not available in this settingRVU25A

72129 billing questions

When should this code be chosen instead of 72128?

Use 72129 for a contrast-only thoracic spine CT. Use 72128 when the thoracic spine CT is performed without contrast.

How does this differ from 72130?

72130 represents a thoracic spine CT performed both without and with contrast. This code is for the contrast-only examination.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

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

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. For multiple diagnostic imaging procedures, the CMS reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The order and imaging documentation should identify the thoracic spine and show that contrast was used without a noncontrast acquisition. The imaging report should support that the study was performed and interpreted.

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 72129PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,997 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet