CPT code 73050: AC joint X-ray, bilateral joints2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Reports radiographic evaluation of both acromioclavicular joints, including studies with or without weighted views, such as assessment for suspected joint separation.
Medicare pays $30.10–$32.95 for 73050 in the office in Oregon, from Rest of Oregon to Portland, OR. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 73050 covers
This examination images the right and left acromioclavicular joints, where the collarbones meet the shoulder blades. It is commonly ordered after shoulder-girdle trauma or when pain, deformity, or suspected separation calls for focused evaluation of these joints. A radiologic technologist obtains the images, and a radiologist or other qualified interpreting practitioner reviews them in an outpatient imaging center, physician office, or hospital department. Weighted views may be obtained when clinically indicated to assess suspected separation.
Report 73050 for the bilateral AC-joint study, rather than a general shoulder examination when the documented imaging target is specifically both AC joints. The order and report should identify the clinical reason, the bilateral anatomy examined, and the imaging findings. CMS treats this as a diagnostic test with separately priced professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, TC for equipment and staff, or neither when billing the global service. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment.
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 73050 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $32.95 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Oregon | $30.10 | Unavailable |
How the 73050 rate is calculated
Each of 73050’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 · 73050
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.18
0.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.71
0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$30.39
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 73050
The CMS indicators that decide how 73050 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73050
AC joint X-ray, bilateral joints
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
73050 without 26 · national office
$30.39
AC joint X-ray, bilateral joints
73050-26 · Professional component
$9.35
Pays only the interpretation and report.
73050 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 73020Shoulder X-raySingle view
- 73020 reports a single-view general shoulder radiograph. Choose 73050 for a focused examination of both acromioclavicular joints.
- 73030Shoulder X-rayComplete, minimum two views
- 73030 reports a multi-view general shoulder radiograph. It is not the focused bilateral AC-joint study represented by 73050.
- 73000Clavicle X-rayAt least two views
- 73000 images the clavicle; 73050 focuses on both acromioclavicular joints. Select based on the documented anatomy examined.
- 73040Shoulder arthrographyContrast joint imaging
- 73040 is shoulder arthrography using contrast. 73050 is a radiographic examination of both AC joints without requiring an arthrogram.
73050 billing questions
When should 73050 be chosen over a standard shoulder X-ray?
Use 73050 when the study is focused on both acromioclavicular joints, such as evaluating suspected AC-joint separation. Use a general shoulder radiograph code when the ordered and performed examination is a broader shoulder study.
Does 73050 include both sides?
Yes. The code represents examination of the right and left AC joints and is already priced as bilateral; modifier 50 does not increase payment.
How should the professional and technical services be reported?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and TC for the technical service, which covers equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Can weighted views be part of this examination?
Yes. The examination may be performed with or without weighted views; the ordering indication and imaging documentation should support the study performed.
What documentation supports reporting 73050?
Document the clinical reason for imaging, that both AC joints were examined, and the resulting interpretation. If weighted views are obtained, the report should reflect the views 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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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