Billing code 72133: Lumbar CTMedicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports lumbar spine CT imaging acquired before and after contrast when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced sequences are performed.
Medicare pays $191.54–$207.57 for 72133 in the office in Florida, from Rest Of Florida to Miami. 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 72133 covers
This service covers CT imaging of the lumbar spine both before and after contrast administration, with a radiologist interpreting the study. It may be ordered to assess lumbar findings such as suspected infection, a mass, or postoperative change when the requested examination includes both imaging protocols. Services may be performed in a hospital or outpatient imaging center equipped for CT.
Report this code when the documented examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced lumbar CT imaging; a single phase calls for the corresponding without-contrast or with-contrast code instead. The report should support the lumbar anatomy imaged and both portions of the examination. CMS allows billing globally, or separately for the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC. The diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies to both 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.
Where 72133 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$191.54 to $207.57
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $201.14 | Unavailable |
| Miami | $207.57 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Florida | $191.54 | Unavailable |
How the 72133 rate is calculated
Each of 72133’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 · 72133
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.24Practice expense 4.56Malpractice 0.09
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72133
The CMS indicators that decide how 72133 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72133
Lumbar 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
72133 without 26 · national office
$196.73
Lumbar CT
72133-26 · Professional component
$58.45
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72133 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
72133 vs 72131 vs 72132 vs 72158: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 72131Lumbar CT
- 72131 is for lumbar CT without contrast only. Choose 72133 when the examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging.
- 72132Spine CT
- 72132 represents lumbar CT with contrast only; 72133 represents imaging both before and after contrast.
- 72158Lumbar MRI
- 72158 is the MRI counterpart for lumbar imaging without and with contrast. Choose between it and CT based on the modality performed.
72133 billing questions
When should this code be selected instead of 72131 or 72132?
Use this code when the lumbar CT includes imaging both before and after contrast. Use 72131 for a noncontrast study and 72132 for a study performed with contrast only.
Can 72131 and 72132 also be reported for the same examination?
Do not report those codes in addition to this code simply to represent the two phases of one combined examination. This code represents the lumbar CT performed both before and after contrast.
How are the professional and technical services billed?
Report the global service without a component modifier, or use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. CMS identifies both components as separately priced.
What documentation supports reporting the combined study?
The imaging report should identify the lumbar spine examination and document that both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging were performed.
Can the multiple-procedure reduction affect either component?
Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.
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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