CPT code 71270: Chest CT2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced
Reports a diagnostic chest CT with images obtained before and after contrast when the clinical question requires both phases in one examination.
In Merced, Medicare pays $209.62 for 71270 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 71270 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 71270 covers
This service is a diagnostic CT examination of the chest that includes an unenhanced image acquisition followed by imaging after contrast administration. Radiologists commonly interpret it for evaluation of thoracic abnormalities such as a mass or other finding that needs assessment across both phases. It is performed in hospital imaging departments and outpatient radiology centers, with technologists operating the scanner and a qualified practitioner interpreting the images.
Report 71270 when the ordered and performed examination includes both the unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases; do not separately report 71250 and 71260 for those phases of the same examination. The order and report should support the diagnostic indication and the use of both phases. The global service includes the interpretation and the technical work; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components when applicable.
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.
How Merced compares for 71270
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 71270 runs from $172.84 in Arkansas to $265.99 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). Merced pays $209.62. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Merced · this page$209.62
- Bakersfield · California$209.92+$0.30
- Chico · California$209.62
- El Centro · California$209.63+$0.01
- Fresno · California$209.62
- Hanford-Corcoran · California$209.62
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) · California$224.20+$14.58
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| MaderaCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| ModestoCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| NapaCalifornia | $245.15 | — |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-VenturaCalifornia | $223.40 | — |
| ReddingCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| Rest Of CaliforniaCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-OntarioCalifornia | $210.61 | — |
| Sacramento-Roseville-FolsomCalifornia | $220.57 | — |
| SalinasCalifornia | $219.76 | — |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-CarlsbadCalifornia | $225.36 | — |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)California | $260.28 | — |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)California | $260.18 | — |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)California | $265.99 | — |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)California | $265.57 | — |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso RoblesCalifornia | $216.15 | — |
| Santa Cruz-WatsonvilleCalifornia | $227.86 | — |
| Santa Maria-Santa BarbaraCalifornia | $220.70 | — |
| Santa Rosa-PetalumaCalifornia | $230.21 | — |
| StocktonCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| VallejoCalifornia | $245.00 | — |
| VisaliaCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| Yuba CityCalifornia | $209.62 | — |
| Dc + Md/Va SuburbsDistrict of Columbia | $225.32 | — |
| MiamiFlorida | $206.56 | — |
| ChicagoIllinois | $200.67 | — |
| ManhattanNew York | $224.72 | — |
| Alaska*Alaska | $224.63 | — |
| AlabamaAlabama | $175.43 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $172.84 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $190.59 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $205.29 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $208.88 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $193.81 | — |
| Fort LauderdaleFlorida | $200.13 | — |
| Rest Of FloridaFlorida | $190.55 | — |
| AtlantaGeorgia | $198.89 | — |
| Rest Of GeorgiaGeorgia | $179.89 | — |
| Hawaii, GuamHawaii | $215.28 | — |
| IowaIowa | $181.00 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $181.99 | — |
| East St. LouisIllinois | $186.62 | — |
| Rest Of IllinoisIllinois | $184.20 | — |
| Suburban ChicagoIllinois | $202.44 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $183.09 | — |
| KansasKansas | $179.65 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $178.60 | — |
| New OrleansLouisiana | $187.17 | — |
| Rest Of LouisianaLouisiana | $178.13 | — |
| Metropolitan BostonMassachusetts | $226.55 | — |
| Rest Of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $203.83 | — |
| Baltimore/Surr. CntysMaryland | $208.19 | — |
| Rest Of MarylandMaryland | $197.71 | — |
| Rest Of MaineMaine | $182.44 | — |
| Southern MaineMaine | $193.25 | — |
| DetroitMichigan | $192.47 | — |
| Rest Of MichiganMichigan | $182.90 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $198.02 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas CityMissouri | $186.39 | — |
| Metropolitan St. LouisMissouri | $188.44 | — |
| Rest Of MissouriMissouri | $174.68 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $173.82 | — |
| Montana**Montana | $195.72 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $184.46 | — |
| North Dakota**North Dakota | $193.94 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $182.16 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $201.58 | — |
| Northern NjNew Jersey | $222.82 | — |
| Rest Of New JerseyNew Jersey | $211.63 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $183.72 | — |
| Nevada**Nevada | $195.38 | — |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long IslandNew York | $229.64 | — |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc SuburbsNew York | $212.63 | — |
| QueensNew York | $227.33 | — |
| Rest Of New YorkNew York | $187.24 | — |
| OhioOhio | $182.53 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $178.80 | — |
| PortlandOregon | $212.48 | — |
| Rest Of OregonOregon | $194.23 | — |
| Metropolitan PhiladelphiaPennsylvania | $203.27 | — |
| Rest Of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $183.10 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $197.36 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $201.19 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $183.73 | — |
| South Dakota**South Dakota | $193.73 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $180.51 | — |
| AustinTexas | $204.28 | — |
| BeaumontTexas | $181.84 | — |
| BrazoriaTexas | $194.03 | — |
| DallasTexas | $195.06 | — |
| Fort WorthTexas | $193.58 | — |
| GalvestonTexas | $194.47 | — |
| HoustonTexas | $196.12 | — |
| Rest Of TexasTexas | $187.69 | — |
| UtahUtah | $186.30 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $192.26 | — |
| Virgin IslandsUnited States Virgin Islands | $197.36 | — |
| VermontVermont | $192.72 | — |
| Rest Of WashingtonWashington | $203.60 | — |
| Seattle (King Cnty)Washington | $231.71 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $187.27 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $177.12 | — |
| Wyoming**Wyoming | $194.95 | — |
71270 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$172.84
$237.81
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $224.63 | 1 |
| AL | $175.43 | 1 |
| AR | $172.84 | 1 |
| AZ | $190.59 | 1 |
| CA | $209.62–$265.99 | 29 |
| CO | $205.29 | 1 |
| CT | $208.88 | 1 |
| DC | $225.32 | 1 |
| DE | $193.81 | 1 |
| FL | $190.55–$206.56 | 3 |
| GA | $179.89–$198.89 | 2 |
| GU | $215.28 | 1 |
| HI | $215.28 | 1 |
| IA | $181.00 | 1 |
| ID | $181.99 | 1 |
| IL | $184.20–$202.44 | 4 |
| IN | $183.09 | 1 |
| KS | $179.65 | 1 |
| KY | $178.60 | 1 |
| LA | $178.13–$187.17 | 2 |
| MA | $203.83–$226.55 | 2 |
| MD | $197.71–$225.32 | 3 |
| ME | $182.44–$193.25 | 2 |
| MI | $182.90–$192.47 | 2 |
| MN | $198.02 | 1 |
| MO | $174.68–$188.44 | 3 |
| MS | $173.82 | 1 |
| MT | $195.72 | 1 |
| NC | $184.46 | 1 |
| ND | $193.94 | 1 |
| NE | $182.16 | 1 |
| NH | $201.58 | 1 |
| NJ | $211.63–$222.82 | 2 |
| NM | $183.72 | 1 |
| NV | $195.38 | 1 |
| NY | $187.24–$229.64 | 5 |
| OH | $182.53 | 1 |
| OK | $178.80 | 1 |
| OR | $194.23–$212.48 | 2 |
| PA | $183.10–$203.27 | 2 |
| PR | $197.36 | 1 |
| RI | $201.19 | 1 |
| SC | $183.73 | 1 |
| SD | $193.73 | 1 |
| TN | $180.51 | 1 |
| TX | $181.84–$204.28 | 8 |
| UT | $186.30 | 1 |
| VA | $192.26–$225.32 | 2 |
| VI | $197.36 | 1 |
| VT | $192.72 | 1 |
| WA | $203.60–$231.71 | 2 |
| WI | $187.27 | 1 |
| WV | $177.12 | 1 |
| WY | $194.95 | 1 |
How the 71270 rate is calculated
Each of 71270’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 71270
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.22
1.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.55
4.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.09
0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.8600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$195.73
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Merced inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,916
- Code
- 71270
- Physician work
- 1.22
- Practice expense
- 4.55
- Malpractice
- 0.09
GPCI2026.csv
15
- Locality
- Merced
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.22 | × 1.017 | 1.2407 |
| Practice expense | 4.55 | × 1.096 | 4.9868 |
| Malpractice | 0.09 | × 0.536 | 0.0482 |
| Total RVUs | 6.2758 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Merced$209.62
Office: (1.22 × 1.017 + 4.55 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $209.62
Payment rules and modifiers for 71270
The CMS indicators that decide how 71270 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 71270
Chest CT
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
71270 without 26 · national office
$195.73
Chest CT
71270-26 · Professional component
$57.45
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 71270 has changed in Merced
71270 · Office / nonfacility
$209.62
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.13 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $206.49 to $209.62 (1.5%).
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
$206.49changed to$209.62
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.25 changed to 1.22
- Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 4.55
- 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.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$215.05changed to$206.49
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 4.71 changed to 4.64
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$211.54changed to$215.05
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$219.60changed to$211.54
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 4.78 changed to 4.71
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$223.56changed to$219.60
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 4.81 changed to 4.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$230.36changed to$223.56
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 4.96 changed to 4.81
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.09
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$248.63changed to$230.36
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Work RVU 1.38 changed to 1.25
- Practice expense RVU 5.08 changed to 4.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$249.57changed to$248.63
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 5.09 changed to 5.08
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$253.16changed to$249.57
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 5.19 changed to 5.09
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$296.26changed to$253.16
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 6.29 changed to 5.19
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$296.26
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $209.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $209.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $209.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $209.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $206.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $206.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $206.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $206.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $215.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $215.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $215.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $215.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $211.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $219.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $219.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $219.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $219.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $223.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $223.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $223.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $223.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $230.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $230.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $230.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $230.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $248.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $248.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $248.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $248.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $249.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $249.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $249.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $249.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $253.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $253.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $253.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $253.16 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $296.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $296.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $296.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $296.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Merced rate applies
Merced is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
71270 billing questions
When should 71270 be chosen instead of 71250 or 71260?
Use 71270 when the chest CT includes both an unenhanced acquisition and imaging after contrast. Use 71250 for an examination without contrast, and 71260 when it is performed with contrast only.
Can 71250 and 71260 be billed separately for the same examination?
Do not split the unenhanced and contrast phases of one examination into those two codes. Report 71270 for the combined protocol.
What do modifiers 26 and TC represent?
Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation. 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. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to the technical and professional components.
How does 71270 differ from chest CT angiography?
71270 describes a diagnostic chest CT with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced phases. Use 71275 when the examination is CT angiography of the chest.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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