Billing code 70491: CT neckMedicare rate & RVUs in Ohio
Contrast-enhanced CT of the soft tissues of the neck, reported to evaluate masses, adenopathy, infection, or other nonvascular neck abnormalities.
Medicare pays $171.63 for 70491 in the office in Ohio (Ohio). 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 70491 covers
This study uses computed tomography with contrast to depict soft tissues of the neck, including structures such as the pharynx, larynx, thyroid region, and cervical lymph nodes. It is commonly ordered to assess a neck mass, enlarged nodes, or suspected deep neck infection. A technologist acquires the images, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them in a hospital, imaging center, or office setting.
Select this code when the documented examination covers the soft tissues of the neck and uses contrast; use a different code for a noncontrast study or one performed both without and with contrast. The order, imaging record, and interpretation should support the examined region, contrast protocol, and clinical question. The service may be billed globally, or the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction 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.
70491 in Ohio
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $171.63 | Unavailable |
How the 70491 rate is calculated
Each of 70491’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 · 70491
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.35Practice expense 4.05Malpractice 0.09
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70491
The CMS indicators that decide how 70491 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70491
CT neck
| 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
70491 without 26 · national office
$183.37
CT neck
70491-26 · Professional component
$63.46
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70491 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
70491 vs 70490 vs 70492 vs 70498 vs 70460: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 70490Neck CT
- Choose 70490 for a soft tissue neck CT without contrast; choose 70491 when contrast is used.
- 70492CT neck
- 70492 represents a neck CT performed both without and with contrast. 70491 is for the contrast-only protocol.
- 70498Ct angiography neck
- 70498 is CT angiography of the neck, focused on vascular structures; 70491 evaluates neck soft tissues.
- 70460Head CT
- 70460 is a contrast-enhanced CT of the head or brain. 70491 applies when the documented study covers the soft tissues of the neck.
70491 billing questions
How does this differ from 70490?
70491 is for a soft tissue neck CT performed with contrast. 70490 describes the corresponding study without contrast.
When should 70492 be used instead?
Use 70492 when the neck CT is performed both without and with contrast. A study performed with contrast only is reported with 70491.
Can the interpretation and image acquisition be billed separately?
Yes. Report the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the technical service with modifier TC; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Does the multiple procedure reduction affect this code?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to the technical and professional components. This can affect either component when it is billed separately.
How does this differ from a neck CT angiography?
70491 evaluates neck soft tissues with contrast. 70498 is for CT angiography of the neck when the examination is directed at blood vessels.
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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