Choose 70545 when contrast is used for the head MRA; 70544 is for the head angiographic study without contrast.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
70544 in Madera
Office / nonfacility
$230.43
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.
Magnetic resonance imaging
About 70544: Head magnetic resonance angiography without contrast
Reports magnetic resonance angiography of the intracranial vessels performed without contrast to evaluate suspected aneurysm, narrowing, or another vascular abnormality.
This study uses magnetic resonance techniques to create angiographic images of blood vessels within the head without contrast material. It is commonly ordered to assess suspected intracranial aneurysm, vessel narrowing, or other vascular abnormalities. A technologist performs the scan in an imaging department or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings. The study evaluates the intracranial vessels, rather than brain tissue as the primary target.
Report 70544 when the head angiographic examination is performed without contrast; use the applicable contrast-specific code when contrast is administered. Documentation should identify the head vessels examined, the imaging technique, contrast status, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The global service includes both the technical work of image acquisition and the professional interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
CMS billing rules for 70544
- 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 RVU1.17 · 18%
- Practice expense (office) RVU5.16 · 80%
- Malpractice RVU0.10 · 2%
167.8K
Medicare services in 2024 · #419 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.
70544 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Madera, from the same CMS release.
Choose 70546 when the head MRA includes imaging both without and with contrast. 70544 describes the study without contrast only.
70547 examines neck vessels without contrast. Use 70544 for angiographic imaging of vessels within the head.
70551 is an MRI of brain tissue without contrast; 70544 is an angiographic examination of intracranial vessels.
The same code, a different location
How does Madera compare?
In Bakersfield, the office rate for 70544 is $230.75—$0.32 higher than the $230.43 rate in Madera. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
70544 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Madera · This locality
$230.43
$230.75
$0.32 higher than Madera
$230.43
The same base rate than Madera
$230.44
$0.01 higher than Madera
$230.43
The same base rate than Madera
$230.43
The same base rate than Madera
$16.36 higher than Madera
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, 70544 ranges from $188.85 in Arkansas to $293.69 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 · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Napa
California · 70544
Office
$270.39
Facility
Unavailable
$39.96 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 70544
Office
$245.97
Facility
Unavailable
$15.54 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Redding
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 70544
Office
$231.53
Facility
Unavailable
$1.10 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 70544
Office
$242.72
Facility
Unavailable
$12.29 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 70544
Office
$241.83
Facility
Unavailable
$11.40 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 70544
Office
$248.19
Facility
Unavailable
$17.76 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 70544
Office
$287.34
Facility
Unavailable
$56.91 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 70544
Office
$287.22
Facility
Unavailable
$56.79 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 70544
Office
$293.69
Facility
Unavailable
$63.26 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 70544
Office
$293.23
Facility
Unavailable
$62.80 higher than Madera for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 70544
Office
$237.84
Facility
Unavailable
$7.41 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 70544
Office
$251.09
Facility
Unavailable
$20.66 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 70544
Office
$242.92
Facility
Unavailable
$12.49 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 70544
Office
$253.69
Facility
Unavailable
$23.26 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 70544
Office
$270.23
Facility
Unavailable
$39.80 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 70544
Office
$230.43
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Madera for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 70544
Office
$247.93
Facility
Unavailable
$17.50 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 70544
Office
$226.94
Facility
Unavailable
$3.49 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 70544
Office
$220.23
Facility
Unavailable
$10.20 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 70544
Office
$247.15
Facility
Unavailable
$16.72 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 70544
Office
$244.01
Facility
Unavailable
$13.58 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 70544
Office
$191.77
Facility
Unavailable
$38.66 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 70544
Office
$188.85
Facility
Unavailable
$41.58 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 70544
Office
$208.94
Facility
Unavailable
$21.49 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 70544
Office
$225.54
Facility
Unavailable
$4.89 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 70544
Office
$229.52
Facility
Unavailable
$0.91 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 70544
Office
$212.56
Facility
Unavailable
$17.87 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 70544
Office
$219.71
Facility
Unavailable
$10.72 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 70544
Office
$208.86
Facility
Unavailable
$21.57 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 70544
Office
$218.31
Facility
Unavailable
$12.12 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 70544
Office
$196.80
Facility
Unavailable
$33.63 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 70544
Office
$236.97
Facility
Unavailable
$6.54 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 70544
Office
$198.10
Facility
Unavailable
$32.33 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 70544
Office
$199.22
Facility
Unavailable
$31.21 lower than Madera for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 70544
Office
$204.37
Facility
Unavailable
$26.06 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 70544
Office
$201.65
Facility
Unavailable
$28.78 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 70544
Office
$222.27
Facility
Unavailable
$8.16 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 70544
Office
$200.47
Facility
Unavailable
$29.96 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 70544
Office
$196.57
Facility
Unavailable
$33.86 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 70544
Office
$195.35
Facility
Unavailable
$35.08 lower than Madera for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 70544
Office
$205.05
Facility
Unavailable
$25.38 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 70544
Office
$194.81
Facility
Unavailable
$35.62 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 70544
Office
$249.44
Facility
Unavailable
$19.01 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 70544
Office
$223.85
Facility
Unavailable
$6.58 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 70544
Office
$228.77
Facility
Unavailable
$1.66 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 70544
Office
$216.95
Facility
Unavailable
$13.48 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 70544
Office
$199.72
Facility
Unavailable
$30.71 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 70544
Office
$211.98
Facility
Unavailable
$18.45 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 70544
Office
$211.03
Facility
Unavailable
$19.40 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 70544
Office
$200.20
Facility
Unavailable
$30.23 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 70544
Office
$217.41
Facility
Unavailable
$13.02 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 70544
Office
$204.18
Facility
Unavailable
$26.25 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 70544
Office
$206.50
Facility
Unavailable
$23.93 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 70544
Office
$190.90
Facility
Unavailable
$39.53 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 70544
Office
$189.94
Facility
Unavailable
$40.49 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 70544
Office
$214.76
Facility
Unavailable
$15.67 lower than Madera for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 70544
Office
$202.01
Facility
Unavailable
$28.42 lower than Madera for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 70544
Office
$212.78
Facility
Unavailable
$17.65 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 70544
Office
$199.42
Facility
Unavailable
$31.01 lower than Madera for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 70544
Office
$221.42
Facility
Unavailable
$9.01 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 70544
Office
$245.03
Facility
Unavailable
$14.60 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 70544
Office
$232.51
Facility
Unavailable
$2.08 higher than Madera for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 70544
Office
$201.13
Facility
Unavailable
$29.30 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 70544
Office
$214.38
Facility
Unavailable
$16.05 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 70544
Office
$252.71
Facility
Unavailable
$22.28 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 70544
Office
$233.60
Facility
Unavailable
$3.17 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 70544
Office
$250.11
Facility
Unavailable
$19.68 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 70544
Office
$205.16
Facility
Unavailable
$25.27 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 70544
Office
$199.80
Facility
Unavailable
$30.63 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 70544
Office
$195.58
Facility
Unavailable
$34.85 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 70544
Office
$233.67
Facility
Unavailable
$3.24 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 70544
Office
$213.09
Facility
Unavailable
$17.34 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 70544
Office
$223.18
Facility
Unavailable
$7.25 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 70544
Office
$200.45
Facility
Unavailable
$29.98 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 70544
Office
$216.61
Facility
Unavailable
$13.82 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 70544
Office
$220.84
Facility
Unavailable
$9.59 lower than Madera for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 70544
Office
$201.17
Facility
Unavailable
$29.26 lower than Madera for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 70544
Office
$212.55
Facility
Unavailable
$17.88 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 70544
Office
$197.54
Facility
Unavailable
$32.89 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Austin
Texas · 70544
Office
$224.46
Facility
Unavailable
$5.97 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Beaumont
Texas · 70544
Office
$199.02
Facility
Unavailable
$31.41 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Brazoria
Texas · 70544
Office
$212.79
Facility
Unavailable
$17.64 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Dallas
Texas · 70544
Office
$213.96
Facility
Unavailable
$16.47 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Fort Worth
Texas · 70544
Office
$212.28
Facility
Unavailable
$18.15 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Galveston
Texas · 70544
Office
$213.30
Facility
Unavailable
$17.13 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Houston
Texas · 70544
Office
$215.13
Facility
Unavailable
$15.30 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 70544
Office
$205.65
Facility
Unavailable
$24.78 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 70544
Office
$204.09
Facility
Unavailable
$26.34 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 70544
Office
$210.86
Facility
Unavailable
$19.57 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 70544
Office
$216.61
Facility
Unavailable
$13.82 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 70544
Office
$211.39
Facility
Unavailable
$19.04 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 70544
Office
$223.61
Facility
Unavailable
$6.82 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 70544
Office
$255.23
Facility
Unavailable
$24.80 higher than Madera for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 70544
Office
$205.22
Facility
Unavailable
$25.21 lower than Madera for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 70544
Office
$193.63
Facility
Unavailable
$36.80 lower than Madera for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 70544
Office
$213.90
Facility
Unavailable
$16.53 lower than Madera for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
70544 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$188.85
$262.06
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $244.01 | 1 |
| AL | $191.77 | 1 |
| AR | $188.85 | 1 |
| AZ | $208.94 | 1 |
| CA | $230.43–$293.69 | 29 |
| CO | $225.54 | 1 |
| CT | $229.52 | 1 |
| DC | $247.93 | 1 |
| DE | $212.56 | 1 |
| FL | $208.86–$226.94 | 3 |
| GA | $196.80–$218.31 | 2 |
| GU | $236.97 | 1 |
| HI | $236.97 | 1 |
| IA | $198.10 | 1 |
| ID | $199.22 | 1 |
| IL | $201.65–$222.27 | 4 |
| IN | $200.47 | 1 |
| KS | $196.57 | 1 |
| KY | $195.35 | 1 |
| LA | $194.81–$205.05 | 2 |
| MA | $223.85–$249.44 | 2 |
| MD | $216.95–$247.93 | 3 |
| ME | $199.72–$211.98 | 2 |
| MI | $200.20–$211.03 | 2 |
| MN | $217.41 | 1 |
| MO | $190.90–$206.50 | 3 |
| MS | $189.94 | 1 |
| MT | $214.76 | 1 |
| NC | $202.01 | 1 |
| ND | $212.78 | 1 |
| NE | $199.42 | 1 |
| NH | $221.42 | 1 |
| NJ | $232.51–$245.03 | 2 |
| NM | $201.13 | 1 |
| NV | $214.38 | 1 |
| NY | $205.16–$252.71 | 5 |
| OH | $199.80 | 1 |
| OK | $195.58 | 1 |
| OR | $213.09–$233.67 | 2 |
| PA | $200.45–$223.18 | 2 |
| PR | $216.61 | 1 |
| RI | $220.84 | 1 |
| SC | $201.17 | 1 |
| SD | $212.55 | 1 |
| TN | $197.54 | 1 |
| TX | $199.02–$224.46 | 8 |
| UT | $204.09 | 1 |
| VA | $210.86–$247.93 | 2 |
| VI | $216.61 | 1 |
| VT | $211.39 | 1 |
| WA | $223.61–$255.23 | 2 |
| WI | $205.22 | 1 |
| WV | $193.63 | 1 |
| WY | $213.90 | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
Madera is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 17 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.
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 70544 in Madera. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$253.47
$230.43 × 110% = $253.47
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.
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 70544 in Madera.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,838
- Code
- 70544
- Physician work
- 1.17
- Practice expense
- 5.16
- Malpractice
- 0.10
GPCI2026.csv
14
- Locality
- Madera
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.17 | × 1.017 | 1.1899 |
| Practice expense | 5.16 | × 1.096 | 5.6554 |
| Malpractice | 0.10 | × 0.536 | 0.0536 |
| Total RVUs | 6.8989 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, Madera$230.43
Open 70544 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 1.17 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 5.16 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.1 | 0.536 |
(1.17 × 1.017 + 5.16 × 1.096 + 0.1 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $230.43
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
70544 · Office / nonfacility
$230.43
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.95 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $227.48 to $230.43 (1.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$227.48changed to$230.43
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
- Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.16
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $227.48
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 from | Office / nonfacility | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $230.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $230.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $230.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $230.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $227.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $227.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $227.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $227.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
70544 billing questions
How does 70544 differ from 70545?
70544 describes head MRA performed without contrast. Use 70545 when contrast is used for the head angiographic study.
When is 70546 used instead?
70546 is for head MRA performed both without and with contrast. It is not the code for a study performed only without contrast.
Can a brain MRI be reported with 70544?
A separately performed MRI of the brain may be reported when it is a distinct study, such as a brain MRI without contrast reported with 70551. The documentation should support both examinations.
How should the professional and technical services be billed?
Report 70544 without a component modifier for the global service. Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service when those portions are billed separately.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect 70544?
Yes. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
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.
