Billing code 74181: Abdominal MRIMedicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports MRI imaging of the abdomen performed without contrast, such as evaluation of abdominal organs when the diagnostic protocol calls for noncontrast images.
Medicare pays $188.93–$204.20 for 74181 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 74181 covers
This service covers magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen using a protocol without contrast material. Radiologists interpret the images; imaging departments, hospitals, and independent diagnostic centers may furnish the technical service. Common clinical questions include assessment of abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, or adrenal glands when noncontrast imaging is the requested protocol.
Select this code when the documented examination is limited to the abdomen and performed without contrast. The order and radiology report should support the body region and contrast protocol. Report the global service when one entity furnishes both the interpretation and imaging; use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service when those portions are billed separately. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both professional and technical components when it applies to the reported services.
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 74181 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
$188.93 to $204.20
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $198.02 | Unavailable |
| Miami | $204.20 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Florida | $188.93 | Unavailable |
How the 74181 rate is calculated
Each of 74181’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 · 74181
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.42Practice expense 4.29Malpractice 0.09
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 74181
The CMS indicators that decide how 74181 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 74181
Abdominal 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
74181 without 26 · national office
$193.73
Abdominal MRI
74181-26 · Professional component
$66.47
Pays only the interpretation and report.
74181 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
74181 vs 74182 vs 74183 vs 74150 vs 74160: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 74182Abdominal MRI
- Use 74182 for abdominal MRI performed with contrast; 74181 is for the noncontrast examination.
- 74183MRI abdomen
- Use 74183 when the abdominal MRI includes images before and after contrast. 74181 represents the noncontrast-only protocol.
- 74150CT abdomen
- 74150 is abdominal CT without contrast. Choose between it and 74181 based on the modality actually performed, not simply the absence of contrast.
- 74160Abdominal CT
- 74160 describes abdominal CT with contrast, while 74181 describes abdominal MRI without contrast.
74181 billing questions
How does 74181 differ from 74182?
74181 is for abdominal MRI performed without contrast. Use 74182 when the abdominal MRI is performed with contrast.
When is 74183 reported instead?
74183 describes an abdominal MRI performed first without contrast and then with contrast. It is not the code for a noncontrast-only examination.
Can the professional interpretation and imaging be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports 74181?
The order and imaging report should identify the abdomen as the imaged region and support that the examination was performed without contrast.
Can multiple procedure reduction affect this code?
CMS diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the professional and technical components when multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported.
Should 74181 be used for an abdominal CT?
No. 74181 describes MRI. For an abdominal CT without contrast, consider 74150 when that modality and protocol match the service performed.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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