Billing code 72147: Thoracic MRIMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Report this MRI when the thoracic spine is imaged using contrast-enhanced sequences without a separate noncontrast imaging series.
Medicare pays $255.28–$280.36 for 72147 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 72147 covers
This service is an MRI examination of the thoracic spine performed with contrast, commonly injected intravenously, to assess the vertebrae, spinal canal, and cord. A radiology technologist acquires the images, and a radiologist interprets them. It may be ordered to evaluate a suspected thoracic cord lesion, tumor, infection, or other abnormality for which contrast-enhanced images are requested.
Report 72147 when the documented examination includes contrast-enhanced thoracic spine imaging without a separate noncontrast series. If both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced sequences are performed, the corresponding combined code is 72157; an examination without contrast is 72146. Documentation should identify the thoracic region, contrast use, and the imaging performed. The service may be billed globally or split between the professional interpretation (modifier 26) and technical service (modifier TC). CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction 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 72147 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
$255.28 to $280.36
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $277.86 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $258.55 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $255.28 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $280.36 | Unavailable |
How the 72147 rate is calculated
Each of 72147’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 · 72147
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.74
1.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense6.26
6.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
8.1200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$271.22
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72147
The CMS indicators that decide how 72147 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72147
Thoracic 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
72147 without 26 · national office
$271.22
Thoracic MRI
72147-26 · Professional component
$82.17
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72147 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72146Spine MRI
- 72146 is for thoracic spine MRI without contrast; 72147 is for contrast-enhanced imaging without a separate noncontrast series.
- 72157Thoracic MRI
- 72157 applies when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced thoracic MRI sequences are performed. 72147 covers contrast-enhanced imaging only.
- 72129Spine CT
- 72129 is a thoracic spine CT with contrast. Choose between it and 72147 according to the imaging modality actually performed.
72147 billing questions
When should 72147 be selected instead of 72157?
Use 72147 when the thoracic MRI is performed with contrast only. Use 72157 when the examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging.
How does 72147 differ from 72146?
72147 describes thoracic spine MRI with contrast, while 72146 describes the examination without contrast.
Can the interpretation and imaging service 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.
How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this code?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to the technical and professional components when applicable.
What should the record support for 72147?
The record should support imaging of the thoracic spine with contrast and show that the performed examination was not a combined noncontrast-and-contrast study.
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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