Billing code 70481: CT imagingMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Contrast-enhanced CT focused on the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear is reported when diagnostic evaluation requires these targeted anatomic regions.
Medicare pays $166.89–$187.54 for 70481 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont to Austin. 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 70481 covers
This service is a contrast-enhanced CT study directed to the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear. It may be used to evaluate findings such as suspected orbital infection or mass, or a lesion in the sella or posterior fossa. A technologist typically performs the acquisition in a hospital, imaging center, or equipped office; a radiologist interprets the images and reports the findings.
Select this code when the documented study targets one of these regions and uses contrast. Use the corresponding noncontrast or combined-protocol code when the documented protocol differs, and choose a head or maxillofacial CT code when that is the intended anatomic study. Documentation should identify the region examined, clinical indication, contrast protocol, and interpretation. Report the global service without a component modifier, modifier 26 for the interpretation, or modifier TC for the technical service. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the professional and technical components when applicable.
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.
Where 70481 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$166.89 to $187.54
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $187.54 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont | $166.89 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria | $178.07 | Unavailable |
| Dallas | $179.04 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | $177.68 | Unavailable |
| Galveston | $178.49 | Unavailable |
| Houston | $180.14 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | $172.27 | Unavailable |
How the 70481 rate is calculated
Each of 70481’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 · 70481
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.10Practice expense 4.19Malpractice 0.09
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70481
The CMS indicators that decide how 70481 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70481
CT imaging
| 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
70481 without 26 · national office
$179.70
CT imaging
70481-26 · Professional component
$52.11
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70481 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
70481 vs 70480 vs 70482 vs 70460 vs 70487: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 70480Targeted CT
- Choose 70480 for the same targeted regions when the protocol is performed without contrast; choose 70481 when contrast is used.
- 70482CT imaging
- Choose 70482 when imaging includes both noncontrast and contrast phases. This code describes the contrast-enhanced study without the noncontrast phase.
- 70460Head CT
- 70460 is for a contrast-enhanced head or brain CT. Use 70481 when the documented target is the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear.
- 70487Facial CT
- 70487 covers contrast-enhanced CT of the maxillofacial region; 70481 is selected for its specified orbital, sellar, posterior fossa, or ear targets.
70481 billing questions
How does this differ from 70480?
This code is for a contrast-enhanced study of the specified region. 70480 is used when the study is performed without contrast.
When should 70482 be used instead?
Use 70482 when the documented protocol includes both noncontrast and contrast imaging. This code is for the contrast-enhanced protocol without the noncontrast portion.
Which modifiers identify the professional and technical services?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Billing without a component modifier represents the global service.
Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?
Yes. The diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components.
Should this code be used for a general head CT with contrast?
No. Use this code when the study targets the orbit, sella, posterior fossa, or ear; 70460 is for a head or brain CT with 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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