Billing code 72170: Pelvis X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Plain radiograph of the pelvis limited to one or two views, often a single AP image, obtained for falls, pelvic pain, or arthroplasty follow-up.
Medicare pays $27.49–$32.30 for 72170 in the office in Virginia, from Virginia to Dc + Md/Va Suburbs. 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 72170 covers
This limited plain-film study images the pelvis, typically with a single anteroposterior (AP) view; an inlet or outlet view may provide a second projection. It is obtained in emergency departments after falls or trauma, in orthopedic and primary care offices for pelvic or groin pain, and after hip arthroplasty to assess component position. A radiologic technologist acquires the images. A radiologist, or a treating physician in some office settings, provides the written interpretation.
Select 72170 for a dedicated pelvic study with one or two pelvis views; three or more pelvis views support 72190. Dedicated hip projections do not increase the pelvis view count. Documentation should identify the views obtained and include a signed report with findings and an impression. CMS recognizes a professional component for interpretation, billed with modifier 26, and a technical component for equipment and staff, billed with modifier TC. An entity providing both components bills the global service without either modifier. For a hospital study, the interpreting radiologist generally bills with modifier 26; the hospital bills for the imaging services it provides.
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 72170 pays more and less in Virginia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $32.30 | Unavailable |
| Virginia | $27.49 | Unavailable |
How the 72170 rate is calculated
Each of 72170’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 · 72170
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.17
0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.65
0.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$28.06
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 72170
The CMS indicators that decide how 72170 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 72170
Pelvis 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
72170 without 26 · national office
$28.06
Pelvis X-ray
72170-26 · Professional component
$8.35
Pays only the interpretation and report.
72170 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 72190Pelvis X-ray
- 72190 requires at least three dedicated pelvis views, such as AP, inlet, and outlet views for pelvic ring trauma. One or two pelvis views support 72170.
- 73502Hip X-ray
- When the study targets one hip and includes dedicated hip views, use the hip code, which includes the pelvis when performed. Use 72170 for a dedicated pelvis study with one or two pelvis views.
- 73521Hip X-ray
- 73521 covers a two-view bilateral hip study, with pelvis when performed. Do not add 72170 solely for a pelvis view included in that hip study.
- 72192Pelvic CT
- 72192 is cross-sectional CT imaging of the pelvis without contrast; 72170 is a conventional radiograph with one or two pelvis views.
72170 billing questions
How do I choose between 72170 and 72190?
Count the dedicated pelvis views obtained and documented. One or two support 72170; at least three support 72190.
Can 72170 be billed along with hip X-rays on the same date?
Do not bill 72170 separately for a pelvis view included in a unilateral or bilateral hip study. A separately ordered, distinct pelvis examination needs its own supporting images and medical necessity.
Which modifier does the reading radiologist use for an emergency department study?
The radiologist appends modifier 26 when billing only the interpretation of a hospital-performed pelvis radiograph.
When should modifier TC be used?
Use TC when the billing entity provides the equipment and technologist but a separate provider performs the interpretation, such as an imaging center using an outside reading group.
What documentation supports billing the professional component?
A signed written report should identify the views obtained and document findings and an impression. A brief visit note stating that the film was reviewed does not substitute for the interpretation report.
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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