What Radiology teams should benchmark
Radiology IDR outcomes are shaped by code mix. The same payer can look fair in one lane and misaligned in another. Start with the codes that dominate your disputed claims, then compare state and payer behavior.
The purpose of this page is to help a specialty leader or RCM team decide where the federal IDR data supports a closer claim-level review.
Top Radiology service codes
| Code | Service | Disputes | Provider win rate | Median award | Median award dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74177 | CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast | 98,009 | 87.4% | 6.7x | $956 |
| 70450 | CT scan of the head/brain without contrast | 68,576 | 89% | 5.3x | $360 |
| 71045 | Chest X-ray, single view | 63,967 | 89.4% | 7.0x | $90 |
| 71046 | Chest X-ray, 2 views | 60,694 | 85.8% | 7.9x | $125 |
| 74176 | CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast | 53,498 | 86.9% | 6.7x | $914 |
| 77067 | Screening mammography, bilateral | 42,664 | 94.5% | 3.3x | $184 |
| 77063 | Screening digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammogram), bilateral | 41,314 | 94.3% | 2.9x | $130 |
| 71275 | CT angiography of the chest | 36,080 | 89.9% | 6.5x | $855 |
| Q9967 | Low osmolar radiology contrast material, per mL | 27,078 | 80.8% | 5.5x | $360 |
| 76705 | Abdominal ultrasound, limited | 23,316 | 90.4% | 6.9x | $273 |
| 72125 | CT scan of the cervical spine without contrast | 21,646 | 88.4% | 5.4x | $447 |
| 70498 | CT angiography of the neck | 17,416 | 91.2% | 5.8x | $798 |
| 70496 | CT angiography of the head | 17,037 | 91.2% | 5.0x | $715 |
| 71260 | CT scan of the chest with contrast | 16,092 | 90.6% | 5.2x | $482 |
| 76830 | Transvaginal ultrasound | 15,715 | 91.3% | 6.3x | $296 |
All Radiology benchmark codes
| Code | Service | Disputes |
|---|---|---|
| 74177 | CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast | 98,009 |
| 70450 | CT scan of the head/brain without contrast | 68,576 |
| 71045 | Chest X-ray, single view | 63,967 |
| 71046 | Chest X-ray, 2 views | 60,694 |
| 74176 | CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast | 53,498 |
| 77067 | Screening mammography, bilateral | 42,664 |
| 77063 | Screening digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammogram), bilateral | 41,314 |
| 71275 | CT angiography of the chest | 36,080 |
| Q9967 | Low osmolar radiology contrast material, per mL | 27,078 |
| 76705 | Abdominal ultrasound, limited | 23,316 |
| 72125 | CT scan of the cervical spine without contrast | 21,646 |
| 70498 | CT angiography of the neck | 17,416 |
| 70496 | CT angiography of the head | 17,037 |
| 71260 | CT scan of the chest with contrast | 16,092 |
| 76830 | Transvaginal ultrasound | 15,715 |
| 71250 | CT scan of the chest without contrast | 14,696 |
| 76856 | Pelvic ultrasound, complete | 14,180 |
| 70553 | MRI of the brain, without and with contrast | 13,389 |
| 70551 | MRI of the brain without contrast | 13,095 |
| 72131 | CT scan of the lumbar spine without contrast | 12,479 |
| 73630 | Foot X-ray, complete (3+ views) | 12,153 |
| 74018 | Abdominal X-ray, single view | 12,129 |
| 73610 | Ankle X-ray, complete (3+ views) | 11,437 |
| 70486 | CT scan of the face/sinuses without contrast | 11,207 |
| 73030 | Shoulder X-ray, complete (2+ views) | 10,182 |
| 77066 | Diagnostic mammography, bilateral | 9,988 |
| 76642 | Breast ultrasound, limited | 9,814 |
| 73130 | Hand X-ray, complete (3+ views) | 9,763 |
| 77065 | Diagnostic mammography, unilateral | 9,608 |
| 73562 | Knee X-ray, 3 views | 9,464 |
| 76817 | Transvaginal obstetric (pregnancy) ultrasound | 9,374 |
| 76815 | Obstetric ultrasound, limited | 9,275 |
| 72148 | MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 9,016 |
| 73721 | MRI of a lower-extremity joint (e.g., knee) without contrast | 9,006 |
| 76641 | Breast ultrasound, complete | 8,399 |
| 76700 | Abdominal ultrasound, complete | 8,268 |
| 74174 | CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis | 8,099 |
| 73110 | Wrist X-ray, complete (3+ views) | 7,907 |
| 70491 | CT scan of the neck soft tissue with contrast | 7,452 |
| 76770 | Retroperitoneal ultrasound, complete | 6,983 |
| 76536 | Ultrasound of the head and neck (e.g., thyroid) | 6,782 |
| 72100 | Lumbosacral spine X-ray, 2-3 views | 6,582 |
| 72141 | MRI of the cervical spine without contrast | 6,462 |
| 74183 | MRI of the abdomen, without and with contrast | 6,193 |
| 76870 | Scrotal ultrasound | 6,127 |
| 74178 | CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, without then with contrast | 5,589 |
| 73590 | Tibia/fibula (lower leg) X-ray, 2 views | 5,180 |
| 72128 | CT scan of the thoracic spine without contrast | 4,866 |
| 73700 | CT scan of the lower extremity without contrast | 4,863 |
| 73502 | Hip X-ray, 2-3 views | 4,823 |
| 73080 | Elbow X-ray, complete (3+ views) | 4,679 |
| 73221 | MRI of an upper-extremity joint (e.g., shoulder) without contrast | 4,676 |
| 76801 | Obstetric ultrasound, first trimester | 4,623 |
| 73090 | Forearm X-ray, 2 views | 4,584 |
| 73140 | Finger X-ray, 2+ views | 4,200 |
| 72197 | MRI scan of pelvis before and after contrast | 4,174 |
| 73560 | Knee X-ray, 1-2 views | 4,030 |
| 72040 | X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views | 3,691 |
| 77049 | MRI scan of both breasts | 3,632 |
| 76819 | Ultrasound scan of fetus | 3,533 |
| 74019 | X-ray of abdomen, 2 views | 3,068 |
| 74181 | MRI scan of abdomen without contrast | 3,059 |
| 72170 | X-ray of pelvis, 1-2 views | 2,995 |
| 72156 | MRI scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast | 2,812 |
| 78815 | Nuclear medicine study from skull base to mid-thigh with CT scan | 2,760 |
| 71101 | X-ray of ribs on side of body, minimum of 3 views | 2,724 |
| 72158 | MRI scan of lower spinal canal before and after contrast | 2,592 |
| 76882 | Ultrasound, limited, joint or focal evaluation of other nonvascular extremity structure(s) | 2,503 |
| 73552 | X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views | 2,501 |
| 70544 | MRI scan of blood vessels of head without contrast | 2,453 |
| 72146 | MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | 2,421 |
| 77080 | DXA bone density measurement of hip, pelvis, spine | 2,408 |
| 73564 | X-ray of knee, 4 or more views | 2,392 |
| 73060 | X-ray of upper arm, minimum of 2 views | 2,376 |
| 76942 | Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization | 2,375 |
| 75574 | CT scan of blood vessels and grafts of heart with contrast | 2,284 |
| 76857 | Limited ultrasound scan of pelvis | 2,211 |
| 77012 | Review by radiologist of CT guidance for needle placement | 2,105 |
| 73718 | MRI scan of leg without contrast | 2,079 |
| 70487 | CT scan of face with contrast | 2,078 |
| 72157 | MRI scan of middle spinal canal before and after contrast | 2,052 |
| 72110 | X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views | 2,036 |
| 71271 | Low dose CT scan of chest for lung cancer screening | 2,017 |
| 73200 | CT scan of arm without contrast | 1,968 |
| 76775 | Limited ultrasound scan behind abdominal cavity | 1,959 |
| 77062 | 3D breast mammography of both breasts | 1,919 |
| 72192 | CT scan of pelvis without contrast | 1,873 |
| 72132 | CT scan of lower spine with contrast | 1,822 |
| 73070 | X-ray of elbow, 2 views | 1,787 |
| 77061 | 3D breast mammography of 1 breast | 1,644 |
| 73660 | X-ray of toe, minimum of 2 views | 1,599 |
| 78227 | Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system with use of drugs | 1,598 |
| 76937 | Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential acces | 1,566 |
| 72129 | CT scan of middle spine with contrast | 1,562 |
| 73620 | X-ray of foot, 2 views | 1,496 |
| 70490 | CT scan of soft tissue of neck without contrast | 1,444 |
| 72072 | X-ray of middle spine, 3 views | 1,426 |
| 70360 | X-ray of soft tissue of neck | 1,414 |
| 72070 | X-ray of middle spine, 2 views | 1,403 |
| 70480 | CT scan of cranial cavity without contrast | 1,314 |
| 70543 | MRI scan of bone of eye socket, face, and/or neck before and after contrast | 1,277 |
| 74240 | Single contrast X-ray of upper digestive tract | 1,277 |
| 72050 | X-ray of upper spine, 4-5 views | 1,242 |
| 74246 | Double contrast X-ray of upper digestive tract | 1,198 |
| 74230 | Imaging for evaluation of swallowing function | 1,147 |
| 75571 | CT scan of heart with evaluation of blood vessel calcium | 1,145 |
| 70547 | MRI scan of blood vessels of neck without contrast | 1,142 |
| 77001 | Fluoroscopic guidance for insertion or removal of central vein access device | 1,124 |
| 73100 | X-ray of wrist, 2 views | 1,118 |
| 74022 | X-ray series of abdomen with single X-ray of chest | 1,117 |
| 72193 | CT scan of pelvis with contrast | 1,113 |
| 72195 | MRI scan of pelvis without contrast | 1,083 |
| 77002 | Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localizatio | 1,072 |
| 73600 | Radiologic examination, ankle; 2 views | 1,054 |
| 73000 | X-ray of collar bone | 1,034 |
| 73701 | CT scan of leg with contrast material | 1,032 |
| 74170 | CT scan of abdomen before and after contrast | 1,021 |
| 73120 | X-ray of hand, 2 views | 1,012 |
| 78264 | Nuclear medicine study of stomach to assess emptying | 998 |
| 78306 | Nuclear medicine study of bone and/or joint whole body | 987 |
| 78452 | Nuclear medicine studies of heart muscle at rest and with stress and SPECT | 958 |
| 76506 | Ultrasound scan of brain | 940 |
| 78226 | Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system | 923 |
| 74220 | Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | 912 |
| 73720 | MRI scan of leg before and after contrast | 875 |
| 76000 | Fluoroscopy (separate procedure), up to 1 hour physician or other qualified health care pr | 850 |
| 73222 | MRI scan of arm joint with contrast | 848 |
| 74250 | Single contrast X-ray of small intestine | 842 |
| 75635 | CT scan of abdominal aorta and both leg arteries with contrast | 839 |
| 71100 | X-ray of ribs on side of body, 2 views | 827 |
| 72220 | X-ray of sacrum and tailbone, minimum of 2 views | 771 |
| 76604 | Ultrasound scan of chest | 765 |
| 70470 | CT scan of head or brain before and after contrast | 763 |
| 77003 | Fluoroscopic guidance and localization of needle or catheter tip for spine or paraspinous | 739 |
| 71270 | CT scan of chest before and after contrast | 706 |
| 76805 | Ultrasound scan of pregnant uterus (14 weeks or more), single or first fetus | 681 |
| 73218 | MRI scan of arm without contrast | 633 |
| 74221 | Double contrast X-ray of esophagus | 630 |
| 74160 | CT scan of abdomen with contrast | 606 |
| 73521 | X-ray of both hips, 2 views | 589 |
| 70481 | CT scan of cranial cavity with contrast | 568 |
| 72082 | X-ray of entire middle and lower spine, 2-3 views | 554 |
| 73723 | MRI scan of leg joint before and after contrast | 512 |
| 76981 | Ultrasound scan of organ tissue for measuring elasticity | 509 |
| 74150 | CT scan of abdomen without contrast | 508 |
Top states for Radiology disputes
| State | Disputes | Provider win rate | Median award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 405,672 | 89.9% | 6.1x |
| Arizona | 71,416 | 88.4% | 6.0x |
| Indiana | 36,302 | 88.5% | 5.7x |
| Florida | 32,413 | 96.6% | 3.8x |
| Tennessee | 20,056 | 82.4% | 3.1x |
| New York | 18,846 | 88.6% | 5.3x |
| South Carolina | 9,035 | 81.6% | 20.0x |
| California | 8,923 | 87.8% | 2.8x |
| Arkansas | 7,817 | 84.9% | 15.8x |
| Illinois | 7,193 | 93.6% | 6.0x |
Top payers in Radiology
| Payer | Disputes | Provider win rate | Median award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | 192,120 | 96.9% | 5.0x |
| UnitedHealthcare | 183,049 | 88% | 6.7x |
| Cigna / MultiPlan | 90,329 | 86.1% | 7.4x |
| BCBSTX | 75,895 | 81.4% | 7.0x |
| UMR (clearhs.com) | 33,405 | 90.9% | 4.6x |
| Cigna | 25,290 | 86.5% | 2.9x |
| BCBSAZ | 7,987 | 75.6% | 11.5x |
| Anthem Blue Cross | 7,047 | 88.3% | 4.3x |
| BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF TEXAS | 6,358 | 71.1% | 4.9x |
| AMBETTER | 5,750 | 94.5% | 5.3x |
Filing checklist before you take Radiology claims to IDR
- Confirm the claim is NSA-eligible: emergency care, or out-of-network care at an in-network facility, with no state arbitration law that displaces the federal process for that plan type.
- Start open negotiation within 30 business days of the initial payment or denial notice. The negotiation window then runs 30 business days.
- If negotiation fails, initiate federal IDR through the portal within 4 business days after the window closes.
- Batch same-payer items in the same service code category. Open negotiation periods starting on or after November 1, 2026 can batch up to 50 line items per dispute, up from 25.
- Budget for fees: the federal administrative fee is $15 per party for disputes initiated on or after June 11, 2026 (down from $115), and the non-prevailing party pays the certified IDR entity fee.
- Anchor your offer to the data: the Radiology median provider-won award is 5.7x QPA across 658,921 disputes.
The fee and batching changes come from the May 2026 federal IDR operations final rule. See the 2026 and 2027 No Surprises Act changes guide for the full timeline, or request a free NSA audit to see how your claims compare.
Open the Radiology dashboard
Filter Radiology disputes by state, payer, and year to compare the public benchmark with your own out-of-network payment experience.
FAQ
How many Radiology federal IDR disputes are in the dataset?
This benchmark shows 658,921 Radiology disputes.
What is the Radiology provider win rate?
The non-default provider win rate is 89.3%.
What should Radiology groups compare first?
Start with service-code mix, then narrow by payer and state. That sequence usually gives a more useful answer than a national specialty average.
What changes in 2026 and 2027 affect Radiology IDR filings?
The administrative fee dropped to $15 per party for disputes initiated on or after June 11, 2026, batching expands to 50 line items for open negotiation periods starting on or after November 1, 2026, and standardized CARC/RARC remittance codes arrive January 1, 2027.
Related benchmarks
Sources and method
Providers won 85.8% of 3.39 million federal IDR disputes through 2025Q4, with a median provider-won award of 4.7x the qualifying payment amount, per CMS public use files.
- CMS: Federal IDR reports and public use files
- CMS: Federal IDR operations final rule fact sheet
- CMS: Federal IDR timeline for claims
Data source: CMS Federal IDR public use files, coverage through 2025Q4; data build 2026-09-24. Counts are CMS dispute counts unless a table says line items. Win rates on this page exclude payer no-show defaults unless labeled otherwise. Award multiples are medians versus the qualifying payment amount (QPA). Dollar figures, where shown, come from CMS QPA-and-offer fields or are anchored estimates, not payment records. This page is informational, not legal or reimbursement advice.