Billing code 70544: Head MRAMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports magnetic resonance angiography of the intracranial vessels performed without contrast to evaluate suspected aneurysm, narrowing, or another vascular abnormality.
Medicare pays $201.65–$222.27 for 70544 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Suburban Chicago. 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 70544 covers
This study uses magnetic resonance techniques to create angiographic images of blood vessels within the head without contrast material. It is commonly ordered to assess suspected intracranial aneurysm, vessel narrowing, or other vascular abnormalities. A technologist performs the scan in an imaging department or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings. The study evaluates the intracranial vessels, rather than brain tissue as the primary target.
Report 70544 when the head angiographic examination is performed without contrast; use the applicable contrast-specific code when contrast is administered. Documentation should identify the head vessels examined, the imaging technique, contrast status, and the interpreting physician’s findings. The global service includes both the technical work of image acquisition and the professional interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
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 70544 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$201.65 to $222.27
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $220.23 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $204.37 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $201.65 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $222.27 | Unavailable |
How the 70544 rate is calculated
Each of 70544’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 · 70544
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.17Practice expense 5.16Malpractice 0.10
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70544
The CMS indicators that decide how 70544 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70544
Head MRA
| 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
70544 without 26 · national office
$214.77
Head MRA
70544-26 · Professional component
$55.11
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70544 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
70544 vs 70545 vs 70546 vs 70547 vs 70551: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 70545Head MR angiography
- Choose 70545 when contrast is used for the head MRA; 70544 is for the head angiographic study without contrast.
- 70546Head MR angiography
- Choose 70546 when the head MRA includes imaging both without and with contrast. 70544 describes the study without contrast only.
- 70547Neck MRA
- 70547 examines neck vessels without contrast. Use 70544 for angiographic imaging of vessels within the head.
- 70551Brain MRI
- 70551 is an MRI of brain tissue without contrast; 70544 is an angiographic examination of intracranial vessels.
70544 billing questions
How does 70544 differ from 70545?
70544 describes head MRA performed without contrast. Use 70545 when contrast is used for the head angiographic study.
When is 70546 used instead?
70546 is for head MRA performed both without and with contrast. It is not the code for a study performed only without contrast.
Can a brain MRI be reported with 70544?
A separately performed MRI of the brain may be reported when it is a distinct study, such as a brain MRI without contrast reported with 70551. The documentation should support both examinations.
How should the professional and technical services be billed?
Report 70544 without a component modifier for the global service. Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical service when those portions are billed separately.
Does the multiple imaging reduction affect 70544?
Yes. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional 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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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