Billing code 74280: Colon X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs in Ohio
A radiologist uses fluoroscopy and barium plus air to examine the colon when diagnostic imaging of its structure is needed.
Medicare pays $196.89 for 74280 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 74280 covers
This examination uses fluoroscopy and radiographs to evaluate the colon after contrast is introduced through the rectum. Barium outlines the bowel, and air helps show the inner surface. A radiologist typically performs and interprets the study in a hospital radiology department or imaging center. It may be selected when a structural assessment of the colon is needed and colonoscopy is incomplete or not suitable. Scout or delayed images, when obtained as part of the examination, are included in the study.
Report 74280 for the double-contrast technique, rather than the single-contrast colon examination represented by 74270. The imaging report should support the indication, technique used, and findings. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the physician’s interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or neither modifier when billing the global service. The professional and technical components are separately priced when billed with their respective modifiers.
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.
74280 in Ohio
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $196.89 | Unavailable |
How the 74280 rate is calculated
Each of 74280’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 · 74280
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.23Practice expense 5.01Malpractice 0.09
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 74280
The CMS indicators that decide how 74280 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 74280
Colon X-ray
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| 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
74280 without 26 · national office
$211.43
Colon X-ray
74280-26 · Professional component
$57.78
Pays only the interpretation and report.
74280 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
74280 vs 74270 vs 74261 vs 74263: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 74270Colon imaging
- Choose 74280 for the double-contrast barium-and-air technique. Code 74270 is for a single-contrast colon examination.
- 74261Ct colonography dx
- 74261 is diagnostic CT colonography without contrast. Code 74280 is a fluoroscopic examination using barium and air.
- 74263Ct colonography screening
- 74263 is for screening CT colonography. Code 74280 describes a diagnostic fluoroscopic colon study, not CT screening.
74280 billing questions
How does 74280 differ from 74270?
74280 describes a double-contrast colon study using barium and air. Use 74270 for the single-contrast colon examination.
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.
Are scout or delayed images separately reported?
Scout abdominal radiographs and delayed images obtained as part of this colon examination are included in the study.
What documentation supports 74280?
The record should identify the diagnostic reason for examining the colon, document the double-contrast technique, and include the radiologist’s findings.
When might CT colonography be considered instead?
CT colonography codes 74261 and 74262 describe a different imaging method for diagnostic colon evaluation; 74280 is the fluoroscopic barium-and-air examination.
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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