CPT code 73070: Elbow X-ray, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
A two-view plain radiograph of the elbow evaluates symptoms or injury when the study is limited to two images of that joint.
In Montana, Medicare pays $29.39 for 73070 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Montana 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. Montana pays $29.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$29.39
- Los Angeles, CA · California$33.67+$4.28
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$33.92+$4.53
- Miami, FL · Florida$31.37+$1.98
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.41+$1.02
- Manhattan, NY · New York$33.91+$4.52
- Alaska · Alaska$33.28+$3.89
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $26.18 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $25.77 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $28.57 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $31.48 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $32.97 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $33.83 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $39.13 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $39.10 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $40.00 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $39.91 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $32.42 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $34.22 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $33.11 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $34.57 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $36.80 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $30.81 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $31.44 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $29.07 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $30.24 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $28.70 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $29.92 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $27.00 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $32.31 | — |
| IowaIowa | $27.00 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $27.17 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $28.20 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $27.73 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $30.58 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $27.34 | — |
| KansasKansas | $26.82 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $26.74 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $28.10 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $26.68 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $34.07 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $30.58 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $31.34 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $29.67 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $27.27 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $28.94 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $29.03 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $27.44 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $29.60 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $27.95 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $28.27 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $26.15 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $25.97 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $27.59 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $29.00 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $27.18 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $30.27 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.52 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $31.82 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $27.59 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $29.30 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $34.73 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $31.99 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $34.29 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $28.03 | — |
| OhioOhio | $27.36 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $26.74 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $31.90 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $29.10 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $30.58 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $27.44 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $29.64 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $30.19 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $27.52 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $28.95 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $26.96 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $30.68 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $27.24 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $29.08 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $29.25 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $29.03 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $29.16 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $29.52 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $28.14 | — |
| UtahUtah | $27.92 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $28.80 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $29.64 | — |
| VermontVermont | $28.83 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $30.54 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $34.85 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $27.95 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $26.62 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $29.22 | — |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $33.28 | 1 |
| AL | $26.18 | 1 |
| AR | $25.77 | 1 |
| AZ | $28.57 | 1 |
| CA | $31.42–$40.00 | 29 |
| CO | $30.81 | 1 |
| CT | $31.44 | 1 |
| DC | $33.92 | 1 |
| DE | $29.07 | 1 |
| FL | $28.70–$31.37 | 3 |
| GA | $27.00–$29.92 | 2 |
| GU | $32.31 | 1 |
| HI | $32.31 | 1 |
| IA | $27.00 | 1 |
| ID | $27.17 | 1 |
| IL | $27.73–$30.58 | 4 |
| IN | $27.34 | 1 |
| KS | $26.82 | 1 |
| KY | $26.74 | 1 |
| LA | $26.68–$28.10 | 2 |
| MA | $30.58–$34.07 | 2 |
| MD | $29.67–$33.92 | 3 |
| ME | $27.27–$28.94 | 2 |
| MI | $27.44–$29.03 | 2 |
| MN | $29.60 | 1 |
| MO | $26.15–$28.27 | 3 |
| MS | $25.97 | 1 |
| MT | $29.39 | 1 |
| NC | $27.59 | 1 |
| ND | $29.00 | 1 |
| NE | $27.18 | 1 |
| NH | $30.27 | 1 |
| NJ | $31.82–$33.52 | 2 |
| NM | $27.59 | 1 |
| NV | $29.30 | 1 |
| NY | $28.03–$34.73 | 5 |
| OH | $27.36 | 1 |
| OK | $26.74 | 1 |
| OR | $29.10–$31.90 | 2 |
| PA | $27.44–$30.58 | 2 |
| PR | $29.64 | 1 |
| RI | $30.19 | 1 |
| SC | $27.52 | 1 |
| SD | $28.95 | 1 |
| TN | $26.96 | 1 |
| TX | $27.24–$30.68 | 8 |
| UT | $27.92 | 1 |
| VA | $28.80–$33.92 | 2 |
| VI | $29.64 | 1 |
| VT | $28.83 | 1 |
| WA | $30.54–$34.85 | 2 |
| WI | $27.95 | 1 |
| WV | $26.62 | 1 |
| WY | $29.22 | 1 |
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
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 Montana 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
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.16 | × 1.000 | 0.1600 |
| Practice expense | 0.70 | × 1.000 | 0.7000 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.998 | 0.0200 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8800 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$29.39
Office: (0.16 × 1 + 0.7 × 1 + 0.02 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $29.39
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
| 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) | 3 | Each side paid at 100% (no 150% cap). |
| 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
73070 without 26 · national office
$29.39
Elbow X-ray, two views
73070-26 · Professional component
$8.02
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 73070 has changed in Montana
73070 · Office / nonfacility
$29.39
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.94 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $28.45 to $29.39 (3.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$28.45changed to$29.39
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$29.28changed to$28.45
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$28.80changed to$29.28
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$29.81changed to$28.80
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$30.09changed to$29.81
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$29.64changed to$30.09
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.69
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$29.09changed to$29.64
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.67
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$27.84changed to$29.09
- 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
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$28.17changed to$27.84
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.59
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$27.94changed to$28.17
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$27.37changed to$27.94
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$27.91changed to$27.37
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$27.77changed to$27.91
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$29.13changed to$27.77
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.59
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$29.67changed to$29.13
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.64
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $29.67
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $28.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $28.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $28.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $28.45 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $28.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $29.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $29.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $29.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $29.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $29.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $29.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $29.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $29.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $27.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $27.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $27.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $27.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $28.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $28.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $28.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $28.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $27.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $27.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $27.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $27.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $27.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $27.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $27.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $27.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $29.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $29.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $29.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $29.13 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $29.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $29.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $29.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $29.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
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
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