Billing code 72158: Lumbar MRIMedicare rate & RVUs in Alaska
Reports a lumbar spine MRI acquired before and after contrast, commonly used to evaluate suspected tumor, infection, or postoperative changes.
Medicare pays $368.65 for 72158 in the office in Alaska (Alaska*). Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 9 sections
What 72158 covers
This service covers MRI images of the lumbar spine acquired before and after intravenous contrast, plus a physician’s interpretation. MRI technologists typically perform the scan in a hospital or freestanding imaging center, and a radiologist reviews the images and issues a report. Examples include evaluation of suspected spinal infection or tumor and assessment of postoperative findings, such as distinguishing recurrent disc material from scar tissue.
Report 72158 when both precontrast and postcontrast imaging are performed; a study performed only without contrast or only with contrast uses the corresponding single-protocol code. Documentation should support the clinical indication, both imaging phases, contrast administration, and the interpretation. The global service is billed without a component modifier; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while TC identifies the technical service. CMS diagnostic-imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable multiple imaging services are reported.
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.
72158 in Alaska*
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska* | $368.65 | Unavailable |
How the 72158 rate is calculated
Each of 72158’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 · 72158
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 2.23Practice expense 7.14Malpractice 0.16
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72158
The CMS indicators that decide how 72158 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72158
Lumbar MRI
| 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
72158 without 26 · national office
$318.31
Lumbar MRI
72158-26 · Professional component
$105.55
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72158 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
72158 vs 72148 vs 72149 vs 72133: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 72148Lumbar spine MRI
- Use 72148 when the lumbar MRI is performed without contrast only. 72158 requires imaging before and after contrast.
- 72149MRI
- Use 72149 when the lumbar MRI is performed with contrast only. 72158 includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging.
- 72133Lumbar CT
- 72133 describes lumbar spine CT before and after contrast. Choose the MRI code when the service performed is MRI, not CT.
72158 billing questions
When should 72158 be selected instead of 72148 or 72149?
Use 72158 when lumbar images are obtained both before and after contrast. Use 72148 for imaging without contrast only, or 72149 for imaging with contrast only.
Does the record need to show both imaging phases?
Yes. The record should support that precontrast and postcontrast imaging were performed, along with the clinical indication and the interpreting physician’s report.
How are modifiers 26 and TC used?
Modifier 26 reports the physician’s interpretation, and TC reports the equipment-and-staff technical service. Bill without a component modifier when reporting the global service.
Can multiple-procedure reduction affect this code?
Yes. CMS diagnostic-imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components when the applicable multiple-imaging circumstances are present.
How many units are reported for the examination?
Report one unit for the completed lumbar MRI examination, not separate units for the precontrast and postcontrast phases.
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
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