Billing code 72141: Cervical MRIMedicare rate & RVUs in Ohio
Reports an MRI study of the cervical spine performed without contrast, commonly used to evaluate suspected disc, nerve, or spinal cord conditions.
Medicare pays $178.63 for 72141 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 72141 covers
This service covers magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine without contrast material. The study produces detailed images of the neck portion of the spine and surrounding structures, often to assess symptoms such as neck pain with radiating arm symptoms, suspected disc disease, or possible spinal cord or nerve-root compression. A technologist typically performs the scan in an imaging center or hospital, and a radiologist interprets the images.
Select this code when the documented study is of the cervical spine and is performed without contrast; use a different code when contrast is administered or the study includes both pre- and post-contrast imaging. The order and report should identify the cervical region, the protocol performed, and the clinical reason for imaging. Bill without a component modifier for the global service, or use modifier 26 for the interpretation or TC for the technical service. When the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies, it affects 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.
72141 in Ohio
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $178.63 | Unavailable |
How the 72141 rate is calculated
Each of 72141’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 · 72141
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.44Practice expense 4.17Malpractice 0.10
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72141
The CMS indicators that decide how 72141 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72141
Cervical 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
72141 without 26 · national office
$190.72
Cervical MRI
72141-26 · Professional component
$68.14
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72141 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
72141 vs 72142 vs 72156 vs 72125: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 72142Spine MRI
- Both cover cervical spine MRI, but 72142 is for imaging with contrast; this code is for imaging without contrast.
- 72156Spine MRI
- Use 72156 when the cervical study includes imaging both before and after contrast. Use this code when the study is performed without contrast.
- 72125Cervical spine CT
- Both evaluate the cervical spine without contrast, but 72125 is a CT study and this code is an MRI study.
72141 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 72142?
Use 72141 for a cervical spine MRI performed without contrast. Code 72142 describes the cervical study performed with contrast.
When does 72156 apply instead?
Use 72156 when the cervical MRI includes imaging both without and with contrast. This code is for the study without contrast only.
Can the interpretation and scan be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Can the multiple imaging reduction affect this service?
When the diagnostic imaging multiple-procedure reduction applies, it affects both the technical and professional components of this service.
How does this differ from a cervical spine CT?
This code is for MRI without contrast. Code 72125 is for cervical spine CT without contrast, a different imaging modality.
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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