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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

70481 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$192.36

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.

CT imaging

About 70481: Contrast CT of orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear

Contrast-enhanced CT focused on the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear is reported when diagnostic evaluation requires these targeted anatomic regions.

This service is a contrast-enhanced CT study directed to the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear. It may be used to evaluate findings such as suspected orbital infection or mass, or a lesion in the sella or posterior fossa. A technologist typically performs the acquisition in a hospital, imaging center, or equipped office; a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings.

Select this code when the documented study targets one of these regions and uses contrast. Use the corresponding noncontrast or combined-protocol code when the documented protocol differs, and choose a head or maxillofacial CT code when that is the intended anatomic study. Documentation should identify the region examined, clinical indication, contrast protocol, and interpretation. Report the global service without a component modifier, modifier 26 for the interpretation, or modifier TC for the technical service. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable.

CMS billing rules for 70481

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 RVU1.10 · 20%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU4.19 · 78%
  • Malpractice RVU0.09 · 2%

12.2K

Medicare services in 2024 · #1369 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.

70481 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

70480

Targeted CT

Without contrast

$168.54

Choose 70480 for the same targeted regions when the protocol is performed without contrast; choose 70481 when contrast is used.

70482

CT imaging

Without and with contrast

$224.21

Choose 70482 when imaging includes both noncontrast and contrast phases. This code describes the contrast-enhanced study without the noncontrast phase.

70460

Head CT

Contrast only

$157.95

70460 is for a contrast-enhanced head or brain CT. Use 70481 when the documented target is the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear.

70487

Facial CT

Contrast-enhanced only

$161.61

70487 covers contrast-enhanced CT of the maxillofacial region; 70481 is selected for its specified orbital, sellar, posterior fossa, or ear targets.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 70481 is $192.65—$0.29 higher than the $192.36 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

70481 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $192.36

  2. $0.29 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $192.36

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $192.38

    $0.02 higher than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $192.36

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. The same base rate than Modesto

  7. $13.44 higher than Modesto

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, 70481 ranges from $158.51 in Arkansas to $244.20 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
  • Madera

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 70481

    Office

    $225.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.68 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 70481

    Office

    $205.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.70 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 70481

    Office

    $193.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.99 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 70481

    Office

    $202.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.08 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 70481

    Office

    $201.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.33 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 70481

    Office

    $206.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.49 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 70481

    Office

    $238.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.58 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 70481

    Office

    $238.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.48 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 70481

    Office

    $244.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.84 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 70481

    Office

    $243.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.42 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 70481

    Office

    $198.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.02 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 70481

    Office

    $209.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.80 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 70481

    Office

    $202.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.20 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 70481

    Office

    $211.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.95 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 70481

    Office

    $224.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.53 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 70481

    Office

    $192.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 70481

    Office

    $206.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.57 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 70481

    Office

    $190.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.33 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 70481

    Office

    $184.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.81 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 70481

    Office

    $206.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.12 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 70481

    Office

    $205.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.45 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 70481

    Office

    $160.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.46 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 70481

    Office

    $158.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.85 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 70481

    Office

    $174.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.43 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 70481

    Office

    $188.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 70481

    Office

    $191.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.52 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 70481

    Office

    $177.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.46 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 70481

    Office

    $183.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.41 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 70481

    Office

    $175.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 70481

    Office

    $182.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.71 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 70481

    Office

    $165.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $27.20 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 70481

    Office

    $197.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.24 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 70481

    Office

    $165.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.37 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 70481

    Office

    $166.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 70481

    Office

    $171.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.81 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 70481

    Office

    $169.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.15 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 70481

    Office

    $186.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 70481

    Office

    $167.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.42 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 70481

    Office

    $164.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $27.59 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 70481

    Office

    $163.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 70481

    Office

    $171.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.51 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 70481

    Office

    $163.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 70481

    Office

    $208.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.66 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 70481

    Office

    $187.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 70481

    Office

    $191.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.15 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 70481

    Office

    $181.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 70481

    Office

    $167.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.00 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 70481

    Office

    $177.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.03 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 70481

    Office

    $176.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.50 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 70481

    Office

    $167.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 70481

    Office

    $181.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.72 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 70481

    Office

    $171.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 70481

    Office

    $172.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.37 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 70481

    Office

    $160.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.05 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 70481

    Office

    $159.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.90 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 70481

    Office

    $179.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 70481

    Office

    $169.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 70481

    Office

    $177.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.45 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 70481

    Office

    $167.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 70481

    Office

    $185.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.30 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 70481

    Office

    $204.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.25 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 70481

    Office

    $194.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.97 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 70481

    Office

    $168.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 70481

    Office

    $179.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.03 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 70481

    Office

    $211.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.71 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 70481

    Office

    $195.28

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.92 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 70481

    Office

    $208.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.49 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 70481

    Office

    $171.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.55 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 70481

    Office

    $167.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.81 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 70481

    Office

    $164.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 70481

    Office

    $195.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.69 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 70481

    Office

    $178.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 70481

    Office

    $186.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.68 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 70481

    Office

    $168.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.30 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 70481

    Office

    $181.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 70481

    Office

    $184.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 70481

    Office

    $168.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 70481

    Office

    $177.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.66 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 70481

    Office

    $165.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.79 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $187.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.82 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $166.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.47 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $178.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $179.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $177.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.68 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $178.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.87 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $180.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.22 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 70481

    Office

    $172.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.09 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 70481

    Office

    $170.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.37 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 70481

    Office

    $176.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.93 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 70481

    Office

    $181.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 70481

    Office

    $176.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.55 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 70481

    Office

    $186.87

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.49 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 70481

    Office

    $212.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.39 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 70481

    Office

    $171.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.62 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 70481

    Office

    $162.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $29.70 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 70481

    Office

    $178.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.44 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

70481 · 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.

$158.51

$218.28

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$205.811
AL$160.901
AR$158.511
AZ$174.931
CA$192.36–$244.2029
CO$188.441
CT$191.841
DC$206.931
DE$177.901
FL$175.05–$190.033
GA$165.16–$182.652
GU$197.601
HI$197.601
IA$165.991
ID$166.921
IL$169.21–$186.054
IN$167.941
KS$164.771
KY$163.911
LA$163.48–$171.852
MA$187.09–$208.022
MD$181.50–$206.933
ME$167.36–$177.332
MI$167.91–$176.862
MN$181.641
MO$160.31–$172.993
MS$159.461
MT$179.691
NC$169.241
ND$177.911
NE$167.051
NH$185.061
NJ$194.33–$204.612
NM$168.691
NV$179.331
NY$171.81–$211.075
OH$167.551
OK$164.051
OR$178.24–$195.052
PA$168.06–$186.682
PR$181.191
RI$184.691
SC$168.611
SD$177.701
TN$165.571
TX$166.89–$187.548
UT$170.991
VA$176.43–$206.932
VI$181.191
VT$176.811
WA$186.87–$212.752
WI$171.741
WV$162.661
WY$178.921

Explore 70481 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Modesto is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 33 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 70481 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$211.60

$192.36 × 110% = $211.60

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

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How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 70481 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

7,799

Code
70481
Physician work
1.10
Practice expense
4.19
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 70481 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.10× 1.0171.1187
Practice expense4.19× 1.0964.5922
Malpractice0.09× 0.5360.0482
Total RVUs5.7592
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$192.36

Open 70481 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.11.017
Practice expense4.191.096
Malpractice0.090.536

(1.1 × 1.017 + 4.19 × 1.096 + 0.09 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $192.36

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

70481 · Office / nonfacility

$192.36

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.36 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $190.00 to $192.36 (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

    $190.00changed to$192.36

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.13 changed to 1.10
    • Practice expense RVU 4.29 changed to 4.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 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: $190.00

    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$192.36Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$192.36Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$192.36Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$192.36Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$190.00Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$190.00Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$190.00Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$190.00Not available in this settingRVU25A

70481 billing questions

How does this differ from 70480?

This code is for a contrast-enhanced study of the specified region. 70480 is used when the study is performed without contrast.

When should 70482 be used instead?

Use 70482 when the documented protocol includes both noncontrast and contrast imaging. This code is for the contrast-enhanced protocol without the noncontrast portion.

Which modifiers identify the professional and technical services?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Billing without a component modifier represents the global service.

Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?

Yes. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.

Should this code be used for a general head CT with contrast?

No. Use this code when the study targets the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear; 70460 is for a head or brain CT with contrast.

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 70481PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 7,799 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)