CPT 70450: CT Head/Brain Without Contrast
CPT 70450 reports computed tomography of the head or brain without contrast material. It is the first-line CT for head trauma, acute stroke, headache, and altered mental status. In 2026 Medicare pays about $106.55 for the global service, split into a professional (modifier 26) and technical (modifier TC) component.
- Code type
- CT, head/brain, without contrast
- 2026 Medicare (global)
- $106.55
- Components
- Professional (26) + Technical (TC); PC/TC indicator 1
- Global period
- XXX (concept does not apply)
What is CPT 70450 used for?
CPT 70450 reports computed tomography of the head or brain, without contrast material. It is the fastest, most-ordered emergency neuroimaging study, used for head trauma, suspected acute stroke or intracranial hemorrhage, new severe headache, seizure, and altered mental status. Because it is quick and does not require contrast, it is the default first-line brain CT.
The contrast variants are 70450 (without), 70460 (with), and 70470 (without and with). Selecting the wrong one is a coding error — the radiology report must state the exact protocol performed.
How much does 70450 pay in 2026, and how does the 26/TC split work?
The 2026 national Medicare allowed amount for the global study is about $106.55. With a PC/TC indicator of 1, the global fee divides into professional and technical components, with the scanner-heavy technical side carrying most of the value:
| Component | Modifier | Covers | Approx. 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional | 26 | Radiologist interpretation and report | ~$33 |
| Technical | TC | Scanner, technologist, overhead | ~$74 |
| Global | (none) | Both, same entity | ~$106.55 |
The two components always sum to the global figure. Use the Medicare fee calculator for a locality-adjusted amount.
Who bills the professional and technical components?
Example: an ED patient with head trauma gets a non-contrast head CT at the hospital. The hospital bills the technical resources through OPPS, and the interpreting radiologist bills 70450-26 for about $33. A freestanding imaging center that owns the scanner and staffs its own radiologists would bill the $106.55 global.
- Imaging center owns scanner and reads: bill 70450 global for ~$106.55.
- Hospital owns the scanner; radiologist reads: facility captures technical, radiologist bills 70450-26.
- Your group owns the scanner but outsources the read: bill 70450-TC only.
How does 70450 fit the CT head family?
The CT head codes differ only by contrast protocol.
- 70450 — CT head/brain without contrast.
- 70460 — CT head/brain with contrast.
- 70470 — CT head/brain without and with contrast.
The professional and technical split is identical across all three — see modifier 26 and modifier TC. For a combined-region CT with the same billing mechanics, see 74177.
Frequently asked questions
The 2026 national Medicare allowed amount for the global CT head without contrast is about $106.55. The technical component (scanner, staff, overhead) makes up most of that value, with a smaller professional component for the radiologist read. Medicare pays 80 percent after the deductible; the patient or secondary owes 20 percent.
Append modifier 26 when a radiologist interprets a head CT acquired at another facility — the professional component. Append modifier TC when your imaging center owns the scanner and acquires the study but an outside physician reads it. Bill 70450 global only when the same entity both acquires and interprets the CT.
All three are CT of the head/brain; only the contrast protocol differs. 70450 is without contrast, 70460 is with contrast, and 70470 is without followed by with contrast in the same session. Emergency head CT for trauma or stroke is almost always 70450 (without contrast). The report must document which protocol was performed.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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