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CPT code 25246: Wrist injection, arthrography2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Reports injection of contrast into a wrist joint to prepare for arthrographic imaging, such as evaluation of suspected ligament or triangular fibrocartilage injury.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $195.95 for 25246 in the office and $61.62 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$195.95Office (non-facility)
$61.62Hospital or facility
+4.4%vs the national office rate ($187.71)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 25246 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 25246 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 25246 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 25246 covers

A clinician injects contrast into the wrist joint to prepare for arthrographic imaging. This is commonly performed by a radiologist or an orthopedic specialist when evaluation of internal wrist structures, such as the triangular fibrocartilage complex or intrinsic ligaments, is needed. The study may be followed by radiographic, CT, or MR imaging, depending on the diagnostic question and the ordered examination.

Select this code for the wrist-joint injection, not for imaging alone or an injection into another joint. Documentation should identify the wrist treated, the injection and contrast used, and the clinical reason for the arthrogram; report the imaging service separately when performed and supported. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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.

How Colorado compares for 25246

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 25246 runs from $166.28 in Arkansas to $250.81 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $195.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

25246 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$195.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$212.95+$17.00
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$214.98+$19.03
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$200.44+$4.49
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$194.78−$1.17
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$215.49+$19.54
  7. Alaska · Alaska$218.00+$22.05

Other areas in Colorado first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

25246 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$168.69$58.22
ArkansasArkansas$166.28$57.82
ArizonaArizona$182.83$60.48
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$199.83$61.45
Chico, CACalifornia$199.39$61.02
El Centro, CACalifornia$199.42$61.04
Fresno, CACalifornia$199.39$61.02
Hanford, CACalifornia$199.39$61.02

25246 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$166.28

$225.10

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
25246 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$218.001
AL$168.691
AR$166.281
AZ$182.831
CA$199.39–$250.8129
CO$195.951
CT$200.101
DC$214.981
DE$185.841
FL$184.08–$200.443
GA$173.93–$190.972
GU$204.371
HI$204.371
IA$173.341
ID$174.371
IL$178.52–$195.324
IN$175.391
KS$172.341
KY$172.231
LA$171.88–$180.332
MA$194.72–$215.502
MD$189.43–$214.983
ME$175.07–$184.762
MI$176.49–$186.162
MN$188.361
MO$168.83–$181.203
MS$167.601
MT$187.701
NC$176.921
ND$184.941
NE$174.341
NH$192.701
NJ$202.56–$212.752
NM$177.371
NV$187.071
NY$179.53–$220.435
OH$175.921
OK$172.121
OR$185.78–$202.362
PA$176.31–$195.042
PR$189.141
RI$192.591
SC$176.681
SD$184.611
TN$173.181
TX$175.15–$195.168
UT$179.081
VA$184.03–$214.982
VI$189.141
VT$184.041
WA$194.41–$220.072
WI$178.771
WV$171.921
WY$186.501

See 25246 in every payment locality

How the 25246 rate is calculated

Each of 25246’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 · 25246

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.41

1.41 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.07

4.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.6200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$187.71

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

2,413

Code
25246
Physician work
1.41
Practice expense
4.07
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 25246 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.41× 1.0121.4269
Practice expense4.07× 1.0644.3305
Malpractice0.14× 0.7810.1093
Total RVUs5.8667
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$195.95

Office: (1.41 × 1.012 + 4.07 × 1.064 + 0.14 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $195.95

Facility: (1.41 × 1.012 + 0.29 × 1.064 + 0.14 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $61.62

Open 25246 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 25246

The CMS indicators that decide how 25246 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 25246

Wrist injection, arthrography

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

25246 without 50 · national office

$187.71

Wrist injection, arthrography

25246-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$281.57

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 25246

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 25246
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Often billed with
73115Contrast wrist study, radiographic arthrographyReports wrist arthrography imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation.$140.41
73222Joint MRI, upper extremity, with contrastMRI of an upper-extremity joint with contrast may follow the wrist injection.$328.86
Same family
24220Arthrographic injection, elbow jointComparable arthrography injection code for the elbow rather than the wrist.$194.85
23350Shoulder injection, for diagnostic imagingComparable arthrography injection code for the shoulder rather than the wrist.$164.48

How 25246 has changed in Colorado

25246 · Office / nonfacility

$195.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.35 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $190.60 to $195.95 (2.8%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $190.60changed to$195.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.45 changed to 1.41
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 4.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $201.40changed to$190.60

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.24 changed to 4.09

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $198.11changed to$201.40

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $207.94changed to$198.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.35 changed to 4.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $214.29changed to$207.94

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.44 changed to 4.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $210.75changed to$214.29

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.28 changed to 4.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $193.44changed to$210.75

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.68 changed to 4.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $178.22changed to$193.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.29 changed to 3.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $167.39changed to$178.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.00 changed to 3.29

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $166.68changed to$167.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $166.70changed to$166.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.02 changed to 3.00
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $167.69changed to$166.70

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $166.86changed to$167.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $164.48changed to$166.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.99 changed to 3.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $162.45changed to$164.48

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.19 changed to 2.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $162.45

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$195.95$61.62RVU26D
2026-07-01$195.95$61.62RVU26C
2026-04-01$195.95$61.62RVU26B
2026-01-01$195.95$61.62RVU26A
2025-10-01$190.60$70.36RVU25D
2025-07-01$190.60$70.36RVU25C
2025-04-01$190.60$70.36RVU25B
2025-01-01$190.60$70.36RVU25A
2024-10-01$201.40$72.41RVU24D
2024-07-01$201.40$72.41RVU24C
2024-04-01$201.40$72.41RVU24B
2024-03-09$201.40$72.41RVU24AR
2024-01-01$198.11$71.23RVU24A
2023-10-01$207.94$73.09RVU23D
2023-07-01$207.94$73.09RVU23C
2023-04-01$207.94$73.09RVU23B
2023-01-01$207.94$73.09RVU23A
2022-10-01$214.29$73.70RVU22D
2022-07-01$214.29$73.70RVU22C
2022-04-01$214.29$73.70RVU22B
2022-01-01$214.29$73.70RVU22A
2021-10-01$210.75$75.22RVU21D
2021-07-01$210.75$75.22RVU21C
2021-04-01$210.75$75.22RVU21B
2021-01-01$210.75$75.22RVU21A
2020-10-01$193.44$77.50RVU20D
2020-07-01$193.44$77.50RVU20C
2020-04-01$193.44$77.50RVU20B
2020-01-01$193.44$77.50RVU20A
2019-10-01$178.22$78.43RVU19D
2019-07-01$178.22$78.43RVU19C
2019-04-01$178.22$78.43RVU19B
2019-01-01$178.22$78.43RVU19A
2018-10-01$167.39$78.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$167.39$78.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$167.39$78.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$167.39$78.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$166.68$78.52RVU17D
2017-07-01$166.68$78.52RVU17C
2017-04-01$166.68$78.52RVU17B
2017-01-01$166.68$78.52RVU17A
2016-10-01$166.70$78.37RVU16D
2016-07-01$166.70$78.37RVU16C
2016-04-01$166.70$78.37RVU16B
2016-01-01$166.70$78.37RVU16A
2015-10-01$167.69$79.05RVU15D
2015-07-01$167.69$79.05RVU15C
2015-04-01$166.86$78.66RVU15B
2015-01-01$166.86$78.66RVU15A
2014-10-01$164.48$77.09RVU14D
2014-07-01$164.48$77.09RVU14C
2014-04-01$164.48$77.09RVU14B
2014-01-01$164.48$77.09RVU14A
2013-10-01$162.45$73.30RVU13D
2013-07-01$162.45$73.30RVU13C
2013-04-01$162.45$73.30RVU13B
2013-01-01$162.45$73.30RVU13AR

Price 25246 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

25246 billing questions

How is this different from the wrist arthrography imaging code?

25246 represents the contrast injection into the wrist joint. The imaging examination and its interpretation are reported with the applicable imaging code when performed and documented.

Can 25246 be reported for an MR arthrogram?

Yes, when contrast is injected directly into the wrist joint to prepare for the MR examination. An MRI using only intravenous contrast is not a wrist arthrography injection.

What documentation supports reporting the injection?

Record the wrist and joint injected, the contrast administration, and the clinical reason for arthrographic evaluation. The imaging report should identify the examination performed.

How should bilateral wrist injections be reported?

CMS recognizes bilateral reporting with modifier 50 and pays it at 150%. The record should support injection of both wrists during the service.

Is same-day care included in this service?

Yes. The code has a 0-day global period, which includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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
RVUs for 25246PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 2,413 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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