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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

72142 in Salinas

Office / nonfacility

$307.08

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 72142: Cervical spine MRI with contrast

Reports MRI examination of the cervical spine performed after contrast administration, commonly to assess enhancing abnormalities such as suspected infection, tumor, or postoperative change.

This service is an MRI examination of the cervical spine using contrast, with images acquired after contrast administration. It may be used to evaluate enhancing abnormalities, including suspected infection, tumor, or postoperative change. MRI technologists perform the scan in a hospital or freestanding imaging center, and a radiologist interprets the images.

Report 72142 when the documented cervical spine protocol includes contrast imaging only. If the study includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging, use the code for that combined protocol instead; a study performed without contrast is coded separately. The report should identify the cervical region and the contrast protocol performed. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and an unmodified claim represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.

CMS billing rules for 72142

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 RVU1.74 · 21%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU6.32 · 77%
  • Malpractice RVU0.14 · 2%

2.4K

Medicare services in 2024 · #2334 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.

72142 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Salinas, from the same CMS release.

72141

Cervical MRI

Without contrast

$212.81

72141 is for a cervical spine MRI without contrast; 72142 is for contrast-only imaging.

72156

Spine MRI

Cervical spine, without and with contrast

$355.67

72156 describes a cervical MRI with both precontrast and postcontrast imaging. Choose 72142 when the protocol is contrast-only.

72126

CT spine

Cervical, contrast only

$188.15

72126 is a cervical spine CT with contrast, not an MRI. The modality documented as performed determines which code applies.

The same code, a different location

How does Salinas compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 72142 is $293.43—$13.65 lower than the $307.08 rate in Salinas. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

72142 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Salinas · This locality

    $307.08

  2. $13.65 lower than Salinas

  3. Chico

    $292.97

    $14.11 lower than Salinas

  4. El Centro

    $292.99

    $14.09 lower than Salinas

  5. Fresno

    $292.97

    $14.11 lower than Salinas

  6. $14.11 lower than Salinas

  7. $6.25 higher than Salinas

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, 72142 ranges from $241.86 in Arkansas to $371.41 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 · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 72142

    Office

    $342.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.30 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 72142

    Office

    $312.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.09 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 72142

    Office

    $294.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.57 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 72142

    Office

    $308.22

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.14 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 72142

    Office

    $314.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.78 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 72142

    Office

    $363.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $56.35 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

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

    California · 72142

    Office

    $363.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $56.19 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

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

    California · 72142

    Office

    $371.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $64.33 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

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

    California · 72142

    Office

    $370.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $63.68 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 72142

    Office

    $302.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.03 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 72142

    Office

    $318.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.24 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 72142

    Office

    $308.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.31 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 72142

    Office

    $321.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.51 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 72142

    Office

    $342.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.07 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 72142

    Office

    $292.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.11 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 72142

    Office

    $315.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.05 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 72142

    Office

    $289.69

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.39 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 72142

    Office

    $281.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.67 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 72142

    Office

    $314.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.46 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 72142

    Office

    $314.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.49 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 72142

    Office

    $245.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $61.61 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 72142

    Office

    $241.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $65.22 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 72142

    Office

    $266.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $40.41 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 72142

    Office

    $287.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.01 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 72142

    Office

    $292.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.79 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 72142

    Office

    $271.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.91 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 72142

    Office

    $280.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.67 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 72142

    Office

    $266.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $40.13 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 72142

    Office

    $278.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.70 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 72142

    Office

    $251.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $55.09 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 72142

    Office

    $300.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.24 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 72142

    Office

    $253.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $53.96 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 72142

    Office

    $254.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $52.54 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 72142

    Office

    $261.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.34 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 72142

    Office

    $258.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $48.93 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 72142

    Office

    $283.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.48 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 72142

    Office

    $256.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.01 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 72142

    Office

    $251.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $55.78 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 72142

    Office

    $250.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $57.02 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 72142

    Office

    $262.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.01 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 72142

    Office

    $249.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $57.66 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 72142

    Office

    $316.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.63 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 72142

    Office

    $285.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.02 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 72142

    Office

    $291.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.74 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 72142

    Office

    $276.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.46 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 72142

    Office

    $255.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.85 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 72142

    Office

    $270.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.82 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 72142

    Office

    $269.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.37 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 72142

    Office

    $256.13

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $50.95 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 72142

    Office

    $276.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.36 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 72142

    Office

    $260.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.18 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 72142

    Office

    $263.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $43.32 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 72142

    Office

    $244.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $62.45 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 72142

    Office

    $243.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $63.76 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 72142

    Office

    $273.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.20 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 72142

    Office

    $258.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.02 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 72142

    Office

    $271.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.97 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 72142

    Office

    $254.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $52.36 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 72142

    Office

    $281.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.12 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 72142

    Office

    $311.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.56 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 72142

    Office

    $296.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.99 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 72142

    Office

    $257.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.77 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 72142

    Office

    $273.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.76 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 72142

    Office

    $321.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.43 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 72142

    Office

    $297.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.54 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 72142

    Office

    $318.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.01 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 72142

    Office

    $261.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.14 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 72142

    Office

    $255.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.52 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 72142

    Office

    $250.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $56.82 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 72142

    Office

    $297.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.03 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 72142

    Office

    $271.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.43 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 72142

    Office

    $284.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.59 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 72142

    Office

    $256.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $50.76 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 72142

    Office

    $276.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.94 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 72142

    Office

    $281.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.63 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 72142

    Office

    $257.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.94 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 72142

    Office

    $270.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.30 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 72142

    Office

    $252.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $54.57 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $285.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.37 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $254.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $52.52 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $271.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.66 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $272.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.18 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $270.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.23 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $272.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.01 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $274.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.45 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 72142

    Office

    $262.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $44.41 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 72142

    Office

    $260.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.34 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 72142

    Office

    $268.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.16 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 72142

    Office

    $276.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.94 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 72142

    Office

    $269.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.61 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 72142

    Office

    $284.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.37 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 72142

    Office

    $323.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.78 higher than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 72142

    Office

    $261.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.29 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 72142

    Office

    $248.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $58.83 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 72142

    Office

    $272.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.41 lower than Salinas for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

72142 · 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.

$241.86

$332.19

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$314.571
AL$245.471
AR$241.861
AZ$266.671
CA$292.97–$371.4129
CO$287.071
CT$292.291
DC$315.131
DE$271.171
FL$266.95–$289.693
GA$251.99–$278.382
GU$300.841
HI$300.841
IA$253.121
ID$254.541
IL$258.15–$283.604
IN$256.071
KS$251.301
KY$250.061
LA$249.42–$262.072
MA$285.06–$316.712
MD$276.62–$315.133
ME$255.23–$270.262
MI$256.13–$269.712
MN$276.721
MO$244.63–$263.763
MS$243.321
MT$273.881
NC$258.061
ND$271.111
NE$254.721
NH$281.961
NJ$296.09–$311.642
NM$257.311
NV$273.321
NY$261.94–$321.515
OH$255.561
OK$250.261
OR$271.65–$297.052
PA$256.32–$284.492
PR$276.141
RI$281.451
SC$257.141
SD$270.781
TN$252.511
TX$254.56–$285.718
UT$260.741
VA$268.92–$315.132
VI$276.141
VT$269.471
WA$284.71–$323.862
WI$261.791
WV$248.251
WY$272.671

Explore 72142 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Salinas is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 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 72142 in Salinas. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$337.79

$307.08 × 110% = $337.79

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

Working with a whole code list?

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

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 72142 in Salinas.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,015

Code
72142
Physician work
1.74
Practice expense
6.32
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

22

Locality
Salinas
Physician work
1.031
Practice expense
1.159
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 72142 in Salinas
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.74× 1.0311.7939
Practice expense6.32× 1.1597.3249
Malpractice0.14× 0.5360.0750
Total RVUs9.1939
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Salinas$307.08

Open 72142 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.741.031
Practice expense6.321.159
Malpractice0.140.536

(1.74 × 1.031 + 6.32 × 1.159 + 0.14 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $307.08

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

72142 · Office / nonfacility

$307.08

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.32 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $305.76 to $307.08 (0.4%).

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

    $305.76changed to$307.08

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.78 changed to 1.74
    • Practice expense RVU 6.47 changed to 6.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.035 changed to 1.031
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.159
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $305.76

    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$307.08Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$307.08Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$307.08Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$307.08Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$305.76Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$305.76Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$305.76Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$305.76Not available in this settingRVU25A

72142 billing questions

How does 72142 differ from 72141?

72142 represents a cervical MRI performed with contrast only. Use 72141 when the documented study is performed without contrast.

When should 72156 be used instead?

Use 72156 when the cervical MRI includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging. Do not select 72142 merely because contrast was used if the study also includes precontrast imaging.

What do modifiers 26 and TC identify?

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

What documentation supports reporting 72142?

The imaging report and order should support a cervical spine MRI and show that the performed protocol used contrast without precontrast imaging. The findings should correspond to the cervical region examined.

How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this service?

When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, CMS applies the multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components of 72142.

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 72142PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,015 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for SalinasGPCI2026.csv, line 22 (RVU26D)