CPT code 73070: Elbow X-ray, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Hanford, CA

A two-view plain radiograph of the elbow evaluates symptoms or injury when the study is limited to two images of that joint.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality200.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Hanford, CA, Medicare pays $31.42 for 73070 in the office.

$31.42Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+6.9%vs the national office rate ($29.39)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73070 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 73070 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Hanford, CA
  2. What 73070 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 73070 covers

This service is a plain-film examination of one elbow using two views. It is commonly ordered after a fall or other injury to assess for fracture or dislocation, and for elbow pain or limited motion. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an imaging center, hospital, or office; a qualified practitioner interprets them and documents the findings. The study focuses on the elbow joint rather than a separate forearm or upper-arm examination.

Select this code when the elbow study consists of two views; use the appropriate sibling code when three or more views are obtained. The order and report should identify the side, clinical reason, views performed, and interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. When both elbows are imaged, each side is paid 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.

How Hanford, CA compares for 73070

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73070 runs from $25.77 in Arkansas to $40.00 in San Benito County, CA. Hanford, CA pays $31.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73070 in Hanford, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Hanford, CA · this page$31.42
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$31.48+$0.06
  3. Chico, CA · California$31.42
  4. El Centro, CA · California$31.42
  5. Fresno, CA · California$31.42
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$33.67+$2.25
  7. Madera, CA · California$31.42

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

Every other payment area

73070 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$31.42—
Modesto, CACalifornia$31.42—
Napa, CACalifornia$36.84—
Oxnard, CACalifornia$33.55—
Redding, CACalifornia$31.42—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$31.42—
Riverside, CACalifornia$31.64—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$33.09—

73070 rates by state

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

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.

$25.77

$35.71

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

View every state and territory as a table
73070 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$33.281
AL$26.181
AR$25.771
AZ$28.571
CA$31.42–$40.0029
CO$30.811
CT$31.441
DC$33.921
DE$29.071
FL$28.70–$31.373
GA$27.00–$29.922
GU$32.311
HI$32.311
IA$27.001
ID$27.171
IL$27.73–$30.584
IN$27.341
KS$26.821
KY$26.741
LA$26.68–$28.102
MA$30.58–$34.072
MD$29.67–$33.923
ME$27.27–$28.942
MI$27.44–$29.032
MN$29.601
MO$26.15–$28.273
MS$25.971
MT$29.391
NC$27.591
ND$29.001
NE$27.181
NH$30.271
NJ$31.82–$33.522
NM$27.591
NV$29.301
NY$28.03–$34.735
OH$27.361
OK$26.741
OR$29.10–$31.902
PA$27.44–$30.582
PR$29.641
RI$30.191
SC$27.521
SD$28.951
TN$26.961
TX$27.24–$30.688
UT$27.921
VA$28.80–$33.922
VI$29.641
VT$28.831
WA$30.54–$34.852
WI$27.951
WV$26.621
WY$29.221

See 73070 in every payment locality

How the 73070 rate is calculated

Each of 73070’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 · 73070

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.70

0.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.8800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$29.39

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

The exact Hanford, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,120

Code
73070
Physician work
0.16
Practice expense
0.70
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

12

Locality
Hanford, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 73070 in Hanford, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.16× 1.0170.1627
Practice expense0.70× 1.0960.7672
Malpractice0.02× 0.5360.0107
Total RVUs0.9406
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Hanford, CA$31.42

Office: (0.16 × 1.017 + 0.7 × 1.096 + 0.02 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $31.42

Open 73070 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73070

The CMS indicators that decide how 73070 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73070

Elbow X-ray, two views

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)3Each side paid at 100% (no 150% cap).
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

73070 without 26 · national office

$29.39

Elbow X-ray, two views

73070-26 · Professional component

$8.02

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 73070 has changed in Hanford, CA

73070 · Office / nonfacility

$31.42

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.06 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $30.36 to $31.42 (3.5%).

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

    $30.36changed to$31.42

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $31.24changed to$30.36

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $30.73changed to$31.24

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $31.52changed to$30.73

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $31.53changed to$31.52

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $31.05changed to$31.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $30.27changed to$31.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.67
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $28.76changed to$30.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16
    • Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $29.11changed to$28.76

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.021

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $29.18changed to$29.11

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$29.18

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$31.42Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$31.42Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$31.42Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$31.42Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$30.36Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$30.36Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$30.36Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$30.36Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$31.24Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$31.24Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$31.24Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$31.24Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$30.73Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$31.52Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$31.52Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$31.52Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$31.52Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$31.53Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$31.53Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$31.53Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$31.53Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$31.05Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$31.05Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$31.05Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$31.05Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$30.27Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$30.27Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$30.27Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$30.27Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$28.76Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$28.76Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$28.76Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$28.76Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$29.11Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$29.11Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$29.11Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$29.11Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$29.18Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$29.18Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$29.18Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$29.18Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73070 for an earlier date of service

Where the Hanford, CA rate applies

Hanford, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 11 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Corcoran
  • Hanford
  • Armona
  • Avenal
  • Grangeville
  • Hardwick
  • Home Garden
  • Kettleman City

Browse all communities in California

73070 billing questions

When should 73070 be chosen instead of 73080?

Use 73070 for a two-view elbow study. Use 73080 when three or more views are obtained.

Can the interpretation and imaging be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.

How is imaging of both elbows reported?

Report the study for each side imaged. CMS pays each side separately at 100% when performed bilaterally.

What documentation supports 73070?

Document the clinical indication, the elbow side, the two views obtained, and the interpretation. The documented view count should support selection over 73080.

Does 73070 cover a forearm X-ray as well?

No. It describes the elbow study; a separately performed forearm examination is coded based on the forearm imaging obtained.

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 73070PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,120 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Hanford, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 12 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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