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CPT code 73080: Elbow X-ray, three or more views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a complete plain-film examination of the elbow with at least three views for suspected fracture, joint injury, pain, or other elbow findings.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality420.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $38.21 for 73080 in the office.

$38.21Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.5%vs the national office rate ($33.07)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73080 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 73080 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 73080 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 73080 covers

This code represents a complete plain-film study of one elbow, using at least three radiographic views. It is commonly ordered after trauma when a fracture or dislocation is suspected, or to assess persistent elbow pain, joint changes, or another localized finding. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an office, imaging center, or hospital; a physician, commonly a radiologist, interprets them and documents the findings.

Select this study when the order and images support a complete elbow examination with three or more views, rather than the two-view study reported with 73070. Documentation should identify the examined side and support the medical reason for imaging. CMS separately prices the interpretation with modifier 26 and the equipment and staff with modifier TC; reporting the code 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 Washington, DC area compares for 73080

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73080 runs from $28.98 in Arkansas to $45.19 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $38.21. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73080 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$38.21
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$37.97−$0.24
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$35.18−$3.03
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$34.11−$4.10
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$38.15−$0.06
  6. Alaska · Alaska$37.34−$0.87
  7. Alabama · Alabama$29.44−$8.77

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

73080 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$28.98—
ArizonaArizona$32.14—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$35.48—
Chico, CACalifornia$35.42—
El Centro, CACalifornia$35.42—
Fresno, CACalifornia$35.42—
Hanford, CACalifornia$35.42—
Madera, CACalifornia$35.42—

73080 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$28.98

$40.31

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

View every state and territory as a table
73080 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$37.341
AL$29.441
AR$28.981
AZ$32.141
CA$35.42–$45.1929
CO$34.701
CT$35.381
DC$38.211
DE$32.711
FL$32.23–$35.183
GA$30.31–$33.652
GU$36.451
HI$36.451
IA$30.391
ID$30.581
IL$31.12–$34.344
IN$30.771
KS$30.171
KY$30.041
LA$29.97–$31.582
MA$34.44–$38.412
MD$33.39–$38.213
ME$30.68–$32.582
MI$30.83–$32.592
MN$33.371
MO$29.36–$31.793
MS$29.181
MT$33.071
NC$31.041
ND$32.671
NE$30.591
NH$34.081
NJ$35.82–$37.752
NM$30.981
NV$32.981
NY$31.53–$39.055
OH$30.751
OK$30.061
OR$32.76–$35.952
PA$30.84–$34.392
PR$33.351
RI$33.981
SC$30.941
SD$32.621
TN$30.331
TX$30.61–$34.558
UT$31.401
VA$32.42–$38.212
VI$33.351
VT$32.471
WA$34.40–$39.292
WI$31.481
WV$29.851
WY$32.891

See 73080 in every payment locality

How the 73080 rate is calculated

Each of 73080’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 · 73080

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.17

0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.80

0.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$33.07

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,123

Code
73080
Physician work
0.17
Practice expense
0.80
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 73080 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.17× 1.0540.1792
Practice expense0.80× 1.1780.9424
Malpractice0.02× 1.1130.0223
Total RVUs1.1438
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$38.21

Office: (0.17 × 1.054 + 0.8 × 1.178 + 0.02 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $38.21

Open 73080 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73080

The CMS indicators that decide how 73080 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73080

Elbow X-ray, three or more 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

73080 without 26 · national office

$33.07

Elbow X-ray, three or more views

73080-26 · Professional component

$8.35

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73080

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

Codes related to 73080
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
73070Elbow X-ray, two viewsTwo-view elbow radiography; distinguish it from this complete study by the number of views.$33.92
Used instead
73085Contrast X-ray, elbow arthrographyContrast elbow imaging is reported when the examination uses contrast rather than routine plain films.$111.04
Often billed with
73090Forearm X-ray, forearm, two viewsA separately ordered forearm study may be reported with elbow imaging when both regions are examined.$33.53
73060Humerus X-ray, minimum two viewsA separately ordered humerus study may accompany elbow imaging when the upper arm is also evaluated.$37.07

How 73080 has changed in Washington, DC area

73080 · Office / nonfacility

$38.21

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.18 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $37.03 to $38.21 (3.2%).

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

    $37.03changed to$38.21

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $38.50changed to$37.03

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $37.87changed to$38.50

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $39.42changed to$37.87

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $40.46changed to$39.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $39.50changed to$40.46

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.75 changed to 0.78

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $37.32changed to$39.50

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.75
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $35.54changed to$37.32

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.68
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $37.67changed to$35.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.65

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $37.15changed to$37.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $36.65changed to$37.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $37.24changed to$36.65

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $37.06changed to$37.24

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $40.41changed to$37.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $40.67changed to$40.41

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.77
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $40.67

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$38.21Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$38.21Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$38.21Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$38.21Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$37.03Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$37.03Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$37.03Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$37.03Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$38.50Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$38.50Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$38.50Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$38.50Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$37.87Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$39.42Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$39.42Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$39.42Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$39.42Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$40.46Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$40.46Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$40.46Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$40.46Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$39.50Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$39.50Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$39.50Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$39.50Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$37.32Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$37.32Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$37.32Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$37.32Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$35.54Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$35.54Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$35.54Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$35.54Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$37.67Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$37.67Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$37.67Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$37.67Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$37.15Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$37.15Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$37.15Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$37.15Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$36.65Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$36.65Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$36.65Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$36.65Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$37.24Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$37.24Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$37.06Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$37.06Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$40.41Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$40.41Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$40.41Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$40.41Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$40.67Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$40.67Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$40.67Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$40.67Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73080 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

73080 billing questions

When should 73080 be selected instead of 73070?

Use 73080 for a complete elbow study with at least three views. Code 73070 is for a two-view elbow examination.

Can the interpretation and imaging be billed separately?

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

How is imaging of both elbows reported?

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

What documentation supports 73080?

Document the clinical reason for imaging, the side examined, and the views obtained. The record should support a complete examination with at least three views.

Is a contrast elbow study reported with 73080?

No. Code 73085 describes an elbow examination using contrast; 73080 represents a plain-film study.

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 73080PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,123 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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