CPT code 71551: Chest MRI2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington
Reports a chest MRI performed with contrast to evaluate thoracic findings such as a mediastinal mass, chest-wall lesion, or pleural abnormality.
Medicare pays $387.67–$444.10 for 71551 in the office in Washington, from Rest Of Washington to Seattle (King Cnty). 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 71551 covers
This service covers MRI imaging of the chest performed with contrast, often to characterize a mediastinal mass, chest-wall lesion, pleural abnormality, or other thoracic finding. A radiologist interprets the images acquired by an MRI technologist, typically in a hospital imaging department or freestanding imaging center.
Choose this code when the documented protocol uses contrast without the combined without-and-with protocol. The order, performed protocol, and interpretation should support the chest study and use of contrast. Billing without a modifier represents the global service; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical 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 71551 pays more and less in Washington
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rest Of Washington | $387.67 | Unavailable |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $444.10 | Unavailable |
How the 71551 rate is calculated
Each of 71551’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 · 71551
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.69
1.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.31
9.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
11.1200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$371.42
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 71551
The CMS indicators that decide how 71551 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 71551
Chest 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
71551 without 26 · national office
$371.42
Chest MRI
71551-26 · Professional component
$79.49
Pays only the interpretation and report.
71551 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 71550Mri chest w/o dye
- 71550 is for chest MRI without contrast. Choose 71551 when contrast is used.
- 71552Mri chest w/o & w/dye
- 71552 covers chest MRI performed both without and with contrast; 71551 is for the with-contrast-only protocol.
- 71555Mri angio chest w or w/o dye
- 71555 is chest MR angiography, used for vascular imaging. Code 71551 describes a chest MRI rather than an angiographic study.
71551 billing questions
When should this code be chosen over 71550?
Use 71551 when the chest MRI is performed with contrast. Code 71550 describes a chest MRI without contrast.
How does this differ from 71552?
71552 describes a chest MRI performed without and with contrast. Use 71551 for a with-contrast-only protocol.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
How does the multiple procedure reduction affect this code?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the professional and technical components when applicable.
What documentation supports reporting 71551?
The record should support a chest MRI, the use of contrast, and the resulting interpretation. The performed protocol distinguishes this code from a study without contrast or one performed both without and 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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