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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

70120 in Delaware

Office / nonfacility

$38.32

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.

Radiology

About 70120: Mastoid radiographs, fewer than three views

Reports a limited-view X-ray examination of the mastoid region, commonly used to assess mastoid air cells when the ordered study includes fewer than three views.

This code describes a limited-view plain radiographic examination focused on the mastoid region behind the ear, including the mastoid air cells. It may be ordered when a clinician is evaluating suspected mastoid disease, such as in a patient with ear symptoms or concern for mastoiditis. Radiologic technologists acquire the images, and a qualified physician interprets them. The service may be performed in an office imaging department or a hospital setting.

Select this code when the documented mastoid examination includes fewer than three views; use the related higher-view code when three or more views are obtained. The imaging report and technologist documentation should support the body site and number of views. CMS allows the professional interpretation to be billed with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC; billing without either modifier represents the global service. For bilateral examinations, each side is paid separately at 100%, so the record should identify both sides studied.

CMS billing rules for 70120

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.
Bilateral procedures
Each side is paid separately at 100% when performed bilaterally.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.18 · 16%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU0.96 · 83%
  • Malpractice RVU0.02 · 2%

236

Medicare services in 2024 · #4183 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.

70120 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Delaware, from the same CMS release.

70130

Mastoid X-ray

Minimum three views

$60.49

Both codes cover mastoid radiography. The view count distinguishes them: 70120 is for fewer than three views, while 70130 is for three or more.

70134

Middle-ear X-ray

$60.52

70120 targets the mastoid region; 70134 targets the middle ear. Choose according to the anatomy examined and documented.

70140

Facial bone X-ray

Fewer than three views

$31.40

70140 is for facial-bone radiography, not a limited-view mastoid study. Use it when the imaged area is the facial bones.

The same code, a different location

How does Delaware compare?

70120 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Delaware · This locality

    $38.32

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

    $44.63

    $6.31 higher than Delaware

  3. Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    $44.85

    $6.53 higher than Delaware

  4. Miami

    $41.08

    $2.76 higher than Delaware

  5. Chicago

    $39.81

    $1.49 higher than Delaware

  6. Manhattan

    $44.72

    $6.40 higher than Delaware

  7. Alaska*

    $43.54

    $5.22 higher than Delaware

Other payment areas listed in Delaware 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, 70120 ranges from $33.90 in Arkansas to $53.27 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

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 70120

    Office

    $34.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.87 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 70120

    Office

    $33.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.42 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 70120

    Office

    $37.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.67 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Bakersfield

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.36 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Chico

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • El Centro

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fresno

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hanford-Corcoran

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Madera

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 70120

    Office

    $48.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.67 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 70120

    Office

    $44.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.18 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.51 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 70120

    Office

    $43.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.56 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 70120

    Office

    $43.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.40 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 70120

    Office

    $44.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.58 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 70120

    Office

    $52.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.78 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 70120

    Office

    $52.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.76 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 70120

    Office

    $53.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.95 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

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

    California · 70120

    Office

    $53.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.86 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 70120

    Office

    $42.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.67 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 70120

    Office

    $45.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.14 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 70120

    Office

    $43.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.61 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 70120

    Office

    $45.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.61 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 70120

    Office

    $48.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.64 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 70120

    Office

    $41.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 70120

    Office

    $40.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.40 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 70120

    Office

    $41.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.15 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 70120

    Office

    $39.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.38 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 70120

    Office

    $37.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.65 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 70120

    Office

    $39.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.09 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 70120

    Office

    $35.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.91 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 70120

    Office

    $42.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.54 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 70120

    Office

    $35.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.70 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 70120

    Office

    $35.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.49 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 70120

    Office

    $36.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.46 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 70120

    Office

    $36.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.99 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 70120

    Office

    $40.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.85 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 70120

    Office

    $36.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.26 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 70120

    Office

    $35.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.98 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 70120

    Office

    $35.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.19 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 70120

    Office

    $36.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.38 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 70120

    Office

    $35.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.29 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 70120

    Office

    $45.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.82 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 70120

    Office

    $40.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.09 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 70120

    Office

    $41.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.02 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 70120

    Office

    $39.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.82 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 70120

    Office

    $35.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.39 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 70120

    Office

    $38.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.11 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 70120

    Office

    $38.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.24 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 70120

    Office

    $36.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.28 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 70120

    Office

    $39.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.88 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 70120

    Office

    $36.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.55 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 70120

    Office

    $37.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.11 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 70120

    Office

    $34.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.02 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 70120

    Office

    $34.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.21 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 70120

    Office

    $38.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.42 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 70120

    Office

    $36.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.96 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 70120

    Office

    $38.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.03 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 70120

    Office

    $35.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.46 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 70120

    Office

    $39.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.66 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 70120

    Office

    $44.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.98 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 70120

    Office

    $42.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.68 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 70120

    Office

    $36.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.10 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 70120

    Office

    $38.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.35 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 70120

    Office

    $45.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.44 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 70120

    Office

    $42.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.88 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 70120

    Office

    $45.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.94 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 70120

    Office

    $36.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.38 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 70120

    Office

    $35.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.36 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 70120

    Office

    $35.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.15 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 70120

    Office

    $42.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.91 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 70120

    Office

    $38.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.10 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 70120

    Office

    $40.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.98 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 70120

    Office

    $36.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.24 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 70120

    Office

    $39.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.77 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 70120

    Office

    $39.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.53 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 70120

    Office

    $36.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.11 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 70120

    Office

    $38.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.02 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 70120

    Office

    $35.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.80 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $40.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.22 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $35.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.51 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $38.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.04 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $38.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.26 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $38.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.06 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $38.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.13 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $38.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 70120

    Office

    $37.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.28 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 70120

    Office

    $36.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.57 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 70120

    Office

    $38.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.32 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 70120

    Office

    $39.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.77 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 70120

    Office

    $38.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.23 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 70120

    Office

    $40.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.04 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 70120

    Office

    $46.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.88 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 70120

    Office

    $36.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.38 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 70120

    Office

    $34.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.49 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 70120

    Office

    $38.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.25 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

70120 · 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.

$33.90

$47.45

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$43.541
AL$34.451
AR$33.901
AZ$37.651
CA$41.62–$53.2729
CO$40.721
CT$41.471
DC$44.851
DE$38.321
FL$37.67–$41.083
GA$35.41–$39.412
GU$42.861
HI$42.861
IA$35.621
ID$35.831
IL$36.33–$40.174
IN$36.061
KS$35.341
KY$35.131
LA$35.03–$36.942
MA$40.41–$45.142
MD$39.14–$44.853
ME$35.93–$38.212
MI$36.04–$38.082
MN$39.201
MO$34.30–$37.213
MS$34.111
MT$38.741
NC$36.361
ND$38.351
NE$35.861
NH$39.981
NJ$42.00–$44.302
NM$36.221
NV$38.671
NY$36.94–$45.765
OH$35.961
OK$35.171
OR$38.42–$42.232
PA$36.08–$40.302
PR$39.091
RI$39.851
SC$36.211
SD$38.301
TN$35.521
TX$35.81–$40.548
UT$36.751
VA$38.00–$44.852
VI$39.091
VT$38.091
WA$40.36–$46.202
WI$36.941
WV$34.831
WY$38.571

Explore 70120 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Delaware is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware, 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 Delaware →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 70120 in Delaware. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$42.15

$38.32 × 110% = $42.15

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 70120 in Delaware.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,692

Code
70120
Physician work
0.18
Practice expense
0.96
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office / nonfacility calculation for 70120 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.18× 1.0050.1809
Practice expense0.96× 0.9880.9485
Malpractice0.02× 0.8990.0180
Total RVUs1.1474
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Delaware$38.32

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

Open 70120 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.181.005
Practice expense0.960.988
Malpractice0.020.899

(0.18 × 1.005 + 0.96 × 0.988 + 0.02 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $38.32

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

70120 · Office / nonfacility

$38.32

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.35 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $36.97 to $38.32 (3.7%).

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

    $36.97changed to$38.32

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.96
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $36.97

    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$38.32Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$38.32Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$38.32Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$38.32Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$36.97Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$36.97Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$36.97Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$36.97Not available in this settingRVU25A

70120 billing questions

When should I use 70120 instead of 70130?

Use 70120 for a mastoid radiographic examination with fewer than three views. Use 70130 when three or more views are obtained.

Can the interpretation and imaging service be billed separately?

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

How is a bilateral mastoid examination handled?

CMS pays each side separately at 100% when both sides are examined. Documentation should identify the right and left sides.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

The imaging record should identify the mastoid region examined and show that fewer than three views were obtained. The interpretation should document the physician's findings.

Is a middle-ear X-ray the same service?

No. Code 70134 describes imaging focused on the middle ear, while 70120 is for the mastoid region. Select the code that matches the imaged anatomy and documented study.

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 70120PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,692 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet