CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 72072 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
X-ray exam thorac spine 3vws — 0.22 work RVU, about $38.75 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 0.22
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 0.92
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.92
- MP RVU
- 0.02
- Office payment
- $38.75
- Facility payment
- $38.75
How the payment is calculated
Total RVU is work plus practice expense plus malpractice, each adjusted by its GPCI factor, then multiplied by the conversion factor. For 72072 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (0.22 + 0.92 + 0.02) × $33.4009 ≈ $38.75. The same code in a facility setting pays about $38.75 because facility PE RVU (0.92) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 72072 non-facility payment from $34.09 to $52.83 across CMS localities — from Arkansas to San Jose-sunnyvale-santa Clara (san Benito Cnty). Check your exact locality in the GPCI calculator rather than using a state average.
Related codes
Checking a different code or locality? Open the full RVU calculator to run any of the 7,790 CPT/HCPCS codes with your own GPCI factors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 work RVU for CPT 72072?
0.22. Work RVU measures physician time, skill, and intensity — it does not change by setting or locality. Total payment adds practice expense and malpractice RVUs plus the conversion factor.
How much does Medicare pay for CPT 72072 in 2026?
About $38.75 non-facility ($38.75 facility) at national GPCI with the 2026 $33.4009 conversion factor. Your locality GPCI moves the number — see the range above.
Does the work RVU change between office and facility?
No. Work RVU (0.22) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (0.92 office vs 0.92 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.