Billing code 70488: Maxillofacial CTMedicare rate & RVUs in Iowa
Reports a maxillofacial CT with both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging when evaluation of facial structures requires both phases.
Medicare pays $170.36 for 70488 in the office in Iowa (Iowa). 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 70488 covers
This study images the facial bones and related maxillofacial structures in noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases. A technologist acquires the images, and a radiologist interprets them. It may be selected for evaluation of a suspected facial mass or deep facial infection when both phases are needed to assess the relevant structures, commonly in hospital outpatient departments, emergency departments, and imaging centers.
Report 70488 for the combined examination, not separate maxillofacial CT codes for each phase. The order and report should support the maxillofacial anatomy studied and the clinical need for both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and no component modifier reports the global service. The diagnostic imaging 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.
70488 in Iowa
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $170.36 | Unavailable |
How the 70488 rate is calculated
Each of 70488’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 · 70488
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.24
1.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.18
4.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.09
0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.5100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$184.04
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70488
The CMS indicators that decide how 70488 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70488
Maxillofacial 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
70488 without 26 · national office
$184.04
Maxillofacial CT
70488-26 · Professional component
$58.45
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70488 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 70486Maxillofacial CT
- 70486 describes a maxillofacial CT without contrast. Choose 70488 when both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases are performed and supported.
- 70487Facial CT
- 70487 describes a contrast-only maxillofacial CT. 70488 includes both a noncontrast phase and a contrast-enhanced phase.
- 70482CT imaging
- 70482 covers an orbit, ear, or middle cranial fossa study without and with contrast. Choose 70488 when the imaged anatomy is maxillofacial instead.
- 70470Head CT
- 70470 is a head or brain CT without and with contrast. 70488 is for maxillofacial anatomy, not a brain-focused examination.
70488 billing questions
When should 70488 be chosen over 70486 or 70487?
Use 70488 when the maxillofacial examination includes both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced imaging. Use 70486 for a noncontrast-only study and 70487 for a contrast-only study.
Should the two imaging phases be billed as separate CT codes?
No. Report 70488 for the combined maxillofacial examination rather than billing 70486 and 70487 for its separate phases.
How are the professional and technical services reported?
Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?
Yes. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components.
What documentation supports reporting 70488?
Documentation should identify the maxillofacial anatomy examined and support the need for both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases, rather than only one phase.
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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