CPT code 72146: Spine MRI2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Nebraska
Reports MRI evaluation of the thoracic spine without contrast, commonly used to assess mid-back pain, neurologic symptoms, or suspected spinal disease.
Medicare pays $177.61 for 72146 in the office in Nebraska (Nebraska). 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 72146 covers
This service is an MRI examination of the thoracic, or mid-back, spine performed without contrast material. It may be used to evaluate symptoms or findings such as thoracic radiculopathy, spinal cord compression, or suspected disc, bone, or soft-tissue abnormality. Imaging centers and hospital radiology departments typically provide the technical service, while a radiologist interprets the images and issues a report.
Select this code when the documented study covers the thoracic spine and is performed without contrast; use the corresponding contrast or without-and-with-contrast code when that protocol is performed. The order and report should support the body region and contrast protocol. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the multiple procedure reduction applies to both professional and technical 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.
72146 in Nebraska
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $177.61 | Unavailable |
How the 72146 rate is calculated
Each of 72146’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 · 72146
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.44
1.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.16
4.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.10
0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.7000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$190.39
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72146
The CMS indicators that decide how 72146 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72146
Spine 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
72146 without 26 · national office
$190.39
Spine MRI
72146-26 · Professional component
$68.14
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72146 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72147Thoracic MRI
- Use 72146 for a thoracic MRI without contrast; use 72147 when contrast is administered.
- 72157Thoracic MRI
- Use 72157 when the thoracic MRI includes imaging both before and after contrast, rather than a noncontrast-only examination.
- 72128Spine CT
- 72128 describes CT imaging of the thoracic spine without contrast. Choose between CT and MRI based on the examination actually performed.
72146 billing questions
How does this differ from 72147?
This code is for a thoracic spine MRI performed without contrast. Code 72147 describes a thoracic spine MRI performed with contrast.
When should 72157 be reported instead?
Use 72157 when the thoracic MRI is performed both before and after contrast administration. The documented examination protocol determines the code.
Can the interpretation and imaging facility bill separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this service?
When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are performed, the CMS multiple procedure reduction applies to the professional and technical components.
What documentation supports this code?
The order and imaging report should identify the thoracic spine as the examined region and show that the MRI was performed without contrast.
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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