CPT code 73020: Shoulder X-ray, single view2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $21.71 for 73020 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $19.13–$29.04.

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

What 73020 covers

CPT 73020 reports a radiographic examination of one shoulder using a single projection. It may be obtained in settings such as an emergency department, hospital, or outpatient imaging department when a limited view is clinically appropriate, including situations where positioning is restricted. A technologist performs the imaging; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets the study and documents the findings.

Select this code based on the number of views actually obtained, not the number requested: use 73020 for one view and compare with 73030 when two or more views are performed. The record should identify the shoulder and side, the number of views, the clinical indication, and the interpretation. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and no modifier represents the global service. When both shoulders are examined, CMS pays each side separately at 100%.

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 73020 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

73020 rates by state

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

How the 73020 rate is calculated

Each of 73020’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 73020

The CMS indicators that decide how 73020 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

73020 compared with similar codes

How to choose

73030Shoulder X-rayComplete, minimum two views

73020 is for one shoulder view. Choose 73030 when two or more views are obtained.

73050AC joint X-rayBilateral joints

73050 reports a complete examination of both shoulders. 73020 reports a single view of a shoulder, with each side separately paid when both are examined.

73040Shoulder arthrographyContrast joint imaging

73040 is for shoulder imaging performed with contrast as part of an arthrographic examination; 73020 is a noncontrast single-view shoulder radiograph.

73010Scapula X-rayDedicated scapular examination

73010 is a dedicated scapula examination. Use 73020 when the study is of the shoulder rather than specifically of the scapula.

Codes related to 73020

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates