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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

72285 in Modesto

Office / nonfacility

$154.96

Base rate per service

Facility setting

Not available in this setting

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Diagnostic imaging

About 72285: Cervical or thoracic discography interpretation

Reports the imaging supervision and interpretation for cervical or thoracic discography performed to assess suspected disc-related pain.

Cervical or thoracic discography uses image-guided contrast injection into one or more intervertebral discs, with imaging used to assess the discs and the patient's response. A radiologist, spine specialist, or pain physician may perform or interpret the study in a hospital or outpatient setting. This code represents the radiological supervision and interpretation, not the disc injection itself. The study may be used when a treating team is evaluating suspected disc-related pain, including as part of planning further spine treatment.

Report 72285 for the cervical or thoracic imaging service and use 62291 for the corresponding disc injection procedure when performed. The record should identify the region and disc levels examined and include the imaging interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.

CMS billing rules for 72285

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.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU1.13 · 26%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU3.16 · 73%
  • Malpractice RVU0.05 · 1%

422

Medicare services in 2024 · #3688 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.

72285 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Modesto, from the same CMS release.

72295

Discography imaging

Lumbar spine

$130.91

Both codes report discography imaging supervision and interpretation; 72285 is for cervical or thoracic discs, while 72295 is for lumbar discs.

62291

Discography

Cervical or thoracic

$357.75

62291 describes the cervical or thoracic disc injection procedure. 72285 reports the imaging supervision and interpretation for the study.

72255

Myelography

Thoracic spine

$110.74

72255 is thoracic myelography, which evaluates the spinal canal and related structures; 72285 is thoracic discography imaging and interpretation.

72240

Myelography

Cervical spine

$118.98

72240 is cervical myelography, not discography. Choose 72285 when the study images cervical discs as part of discography.

The same code, a different location

How does Modesto compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 72285 is $155.16—$0.20 higher than the $154.96 rate in Modesto. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

72285 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Modesto · This locality

    $154.96

  2. Bakersfield

    $155.16

    $0.20 higher than Modesto

  3. Chico

    $154.96

    The same base rate than Modesto

  4. El Centro

    $154.97

    $0.01 higher than Modesto

  5. Fresno

    $154.96

    The same base rate than Modesto

  6. Hanford-Corcoran

    $154.96

    The same base rate than Modesto

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

    $165.26

    $10.30 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, 72285 ranges from $129.27 in Arkansas to $194.99 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 · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 72285

    Office

    $180.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.12 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 72285

    Office

    $164.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.64 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 72285

    Office

    $155.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.57 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 72285

    Office

    $162.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.79 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 72285

    Office

    $162.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.18 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 72285

    Office

    $166.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.05 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 72285

    Office

    $190.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.96 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 72285

    Office

    $190.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.90 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 72285

    Office

    $194.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $40.03 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

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

    California · 72285

    Office

    $194.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $39.80 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 72285

    Office

    $159.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.54 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 72285

    Office

    $167.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.71 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 72285

    Office

    $162.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.80 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 72285

    Office

    $169.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.42 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 72285

    Office

    $180.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.04 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 72285

    Office

    $154.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 72285

    Office

    $165.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.01 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 72285

    Office

    $151.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.12 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 72285

    Office

    $147.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.05 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 72285

    Office

    $165.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.49 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 72285

    Office

    $169.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.98 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 72285

    Office

    $131.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 72285

    Office

    $129.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.69 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 72285

    Office

    $141.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.51 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 72285

    Office

    $151.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.16 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 72285

    Office

    $154.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 72285

    Office

    $143.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.25 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 72285

    Office

    $147.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.28 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 72285

    Office

    $141.16

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.80 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 72285

    Office

    $147.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 72285

    Office

    $133.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 72285

    Office

    $158.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.76 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 72285

    Office

    $134.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.98 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 72285

    Office

    $135.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 72285

    Office

    $138.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 72285

    Office

    $136.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.24 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 72285

    Office

    $149.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.60 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 72285

    Office

    $136.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.56 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 72285

    Office

    $134.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.96 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 72285

    Office

    $133.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 72285

    Office

    $138.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.00 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 72285

    Office

    $132.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.21 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 72285

    Office

    $166.80

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.84 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 72285

    Office

    $150.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.14 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 72285

    Office

    $153.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.30 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 72285

    Office

    $146.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.49 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 72285

    Office

    $135.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.08 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 72285

    Office

    $143.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.57 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 72285

    Office

    $142.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.55 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 72285

    Office

    $135.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.97 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 72285

    Office

    $146.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 72285

    Office

    $138.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.48 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 72285

    Office

    $139.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.06 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 72285

    Office

    $130.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.61 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 72285

    Office

    $129.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 72285

    Office

    $144.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.00 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 72285

    Office

    $137.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 72285

    Office

    $143.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.99 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 72285

    Office

    $135.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 72285

    Office

    $149.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 72285

    Office

    $164.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.38 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 72285

    Office

    $156.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.38 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 72285

    Office

    $136.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.42 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 72285

    Office

    $144.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 72285

    Office

    $168.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.80 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 72285

    Office

    $157.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.08 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 72285

    Office

    $167.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.36 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 72285

    Office

    $139.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.77 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 72285

    Office

    $135.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.17 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 72285

    Office

    $133.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 72285

    Office

    $156.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.89 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 72285

    Office

    $144.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.92 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 72285

    Office

    $150.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.67 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 72285

    Office

    $136.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.75 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 72285

    Office

    $146.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 72285

    Office

    $148.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.98 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 72285

    Office

    $136.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.27 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 72285

    Office

    $143.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 72285

    Office

    $134.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.38 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $150.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.99 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $135.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.62 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $143.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.02 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $144.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.32 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $143.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.35 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $144.24

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.72 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $145.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.81 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 72285

    Office

    $139.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.54 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 72285

    Office

    $138.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 72285

    Office

    $142.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.29 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 72285

    Office

    $146.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.86 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 72285

    Office

    $143.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.88 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 72285

    Office

    $150.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.31 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 72285

    Office

    $170.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.54 higher than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 72285

    Office

    $139.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.59 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 72285

    Office

    $131.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.11 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 72285

    Office

    $144.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.43 lower than Modesto for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

72285 · 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.

$129.27

$174.98

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$169.941
AL$131.041
AR$129.271
AZ$141.451
CA$154.96–$194.9929
CO$151.801
CT$154.191
DC$165.971
DE$143.711
FL$141.16–$151.843
GA$133.88–$147.102
GU$158.721
HI$158.721
IA$134.981
ID$135.641
IL$136.72–$149.364
IN$136.401
KS$134.001
KY$133.101
LA$132.75–$138.962
MA$150.82–$166.802
MD$146.47–$165.973
ME$135.88–$143.392
MI$135.99–$142.412
MN$146.851
MO$130.35–$139.903
MS$129.851
MT$144.961
NC$137.291
ND$143.971
NE$135.791
NH$149.081
NJ$156.34–$164.342
NM$136.541
NV$144.791
NY$139.19–$168.765
OH$135.791
OK$133.291
OR$144.04–$156.852
PA$136.21–$150.292
PR$146.101
RI$148.981
SC$136.691
SD$143.851
TN$134.581
TX$135.34–$150.978
UT$138.461
VA$142.67–$165.972
VI$146.101
VT$143.081
WA$150.65–$170.502
WI$139.371
WV$131.851
WY$144.531

Explore 72285 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.

Browse all communities in California →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 72285 in Modesto. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$170.46

$154.96 × 110% = $170.46

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 72285 in Modesto.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,093

Code
72285
Physician work
1.13
Practice expense
3.16
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

16

Locality
Modesto
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 72285 in Modesto
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.13× 1.0171.1492
Practice expense3.16× 1.0963.4634
Malpractice0.05× 0.5360.0268
Total RVUs4.6394
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Modesto$154.96

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

Open 72285 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.131.017
Practice expense3.161.096
Malpractice0.050.536

(1.13 × 1.017 + 3.16 × 1.096 + 0.05 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $154.96

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

72285 · Office / nonfacility

$154.96

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $19.14 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $135.82 to $154.96 (14.1%).

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

    $135.82changed to$154.96

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.16 changed to 1.13
    • Practice expense RVU 2.74 changed to 3.16
    • 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: $135.82

    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$154.96Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$154.96Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$154.96Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$154.96Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$135.82Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$135.82Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$135.82Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$135.82Not available in this settingRVU25A

72285 billing questions

When should 72285 be used instead of 72295?

Use 72285 for cervical or thoracic discography. Use 72295 for lumbar discography.

Does 72285 include the disc injection?

No. It represents radiological supervision and interpretation; 62291 describes the cervical or thoracic disc injection procedure when performed.

Which modifiers identify the components?

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

What documentation supports reporting 72285?

Document the cervical or thoracic region and levels examined, the imaging performed, and the interpretation. The record should distinguish the imaging service from the injection procedure.

Is 72285 reported per disc level?

The code identifies cervical or thoracic discography imaging and interpretation; the injection procedure is represented separately by 62291. Do not infer imaging units solely from the number of injected levels.

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 72285PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,093 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ModestoGPCI2026.csv, line 16 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet