Billing code 72129: Spine CTMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports a contrast-enhanced CT of the thoracic spine when the ordered study uses contrast without a noncontrast acquisition.
Medicare pays $157.74–$176.42 for 72129 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 72129 covers
This service is a CT examination of the thoracic spine acquired after contrast administration, with images interpreted for vertebral and surrounding spinal findings. Radiology departments and imaging centers commonly perform it; a radiologist typically interprets the study. Clinical situations may include evaluation of a suspected enhancing vertebral or paraspinal abnormality, such as a neoplasm or infection, when the imaging protocol calls for contrast-only CT.
Select this code when the documented examination is of the thoracic spine and uses contrast without a separate noncontrast series. The order, imaging report, and protocol should support the spinal region and contrast technique; use the combined-study code when both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions are performed. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging procedures are reported, the multiple procedure reduction applies to both 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.
Where 72129 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
$157.74 to $176.42
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $176.42 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont | $157.74 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria | $167.86 | Unavailable |
| Dallas | $168.77 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | $167.54 | Unavailable |
| Galveston | $168.26 | Unavailable |
| Houston | $169.90 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | $162.59 | Unavailable |
How the 72129 rate is calculated
Each of 72129’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 · 72129
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.19
1.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.79
3.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.09
0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.0700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$169.34
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72129
The CMS indicators that decide how 72129 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72129
Spine CT
| 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
72129 without 26 · national office
$169.34
Spine CT
72129-26 · Professional component
$56.11
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72129 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72128Spine CT
- 72128 is for a thoracic spine CT performed without contrast. Choose this code when the study uses contrast only.
- 72130Thoracic spine CT
- 72130 is for a thoracic spine CT with both noncontrast and contrast acquisitions; this code describes contrast-only imaging.
- 72147Thoracic MRI
- 72147 reports thoracic spine MRI with contrast, not CT. The modality documented in the imaging record determines which code applies.
72129 billing questions
When should this code be chosen instead of 72128?
Use 72129 for a contrast-only thoracic spine CT. Use 72128 when the thoracic spine CT is performed without contrast.
How does this differ from 72130?
72130 represents a thoracic spine CT performed both without and with contrast. This code is for the contrast-only examination.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does the multiple procedure reduction affect both components?
Yes. For multiple diagnostic imaging procedures, the CMS reduction applies to both the professional and technical components.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
The order and imaging documentation should identify the thoracic spine and show that contrast was used without a noncontrast acquisition. The imaging report should support that the study was performed and interpreted.
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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