CPT code 73090: Forearm X-ray, forearm, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa
A two-view radiographic study of the forearm evaluates the radius and ulna for suspected fracture, injury, pain, or other bone abnormality.
In Iowa, Medicare pays $26.70 for 73090 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73090 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 73090 covers
This study uses X-rays to assess the radius and ulna, commonly after a fall or other injury, or for persistent forearm pain. Imaging is typically performed by a radiologic technologist in a hospital, emergency department, imaging center, or orthopedic clinic; a radiologist or other qualified practitioner interprets the images and reports the findings. The study focuses on the forearm rather than an isolated elbow, wrist, or upper-arm examination.
Report the code when the ordered and documented study consists of two forearm views. The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the body site and side examined, the views obtained, and the interpretation. A claim without a component modifier represents the global service, including the imaging work and interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service, such as equipment and staff. For bilateral examinations, 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.
How Iowa compares for 73090
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73090 runs from $25.49 in Arkansas to $39.52 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $26.70. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Iowa · this page$26.70
- Los Angeles, CA · California$33.27+$6.57
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$33.53+$6.83
- Miami, FL · Florida$31.03+$4.33
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.08+$3.38
- Manhattan, NY · New York$33.53+$6.83
- Alaska · Alaska$32.93+$6.23
Other areas in Iowa first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $25.89 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $25.49 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $28.25 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $31.11 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $31.06 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $36.40 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $33.15 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $31.27 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $32.70 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $32.58 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $33.43 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $38.65 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $38.63 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $39.52 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $39.43 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $32.04 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $33.82 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $32.72 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $34.16 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $36.36 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $31.05 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $30.45 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $31.08 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $28.74 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $29.90 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $28.38 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $29.58 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $26.70 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $31.93 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $26.86 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $27.89 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $27.43 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $30.23 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $27.03 | — |
| KansasKansas | $26.51 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $26.44 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $27.79 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $26.38 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $33.68 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $30.23 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $30.99 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $29.33 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $26.96 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $28.60 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $28.71 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $27.14 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $29.26 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $27.64 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $27.95 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $25.86 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $25.68 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $29.06 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $27.27 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $28.66 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $26.87 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $29.92 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.13 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $31.46 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $27.28 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $28.97 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $34.33 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $31.63 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $33.89 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $27.71 | — |
| OhioOhio | $27.06 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $26.44 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $31.53 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $28.77 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $30.23 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $27.13 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $29.30 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $29.85 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $27.21 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $28.62 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $26.65 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $30.33 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $26.94 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $28.75 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $28.92 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $28.70 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $28.83 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $29.19 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $27.82 | — |
| UtahUtah | $27.61 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $28.47 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $29.30 | — |
| VermontVermont | $28.50 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $30.19 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $34.44 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $27.63 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $26.33 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $28.89 | — |
73090 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.
$25.49
$35.29
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 | $32.93 | 1 |
| AL | $25.89 | 1 |
| AR | $25.49 | 1 |
| AZ | $28.25 | 1 |
| CA | $31.05–$39.52 | 29 |
| CO | $30.45 | 1 |
| CT | $31.08 | 1 |
| DC | $33.53 | 1 |
| DE | $28.74 | 1 |
| FL | $28.38–$31.03 | 3 |
| GA | $26.70–$29.58 | 2 |
| GU | $31.93 | 1 |
| HI | $31.93 | 1 |
| IA | $26.70 | 1 |
| ID | $26.86 | 1 |
| IL | $27.43–$30.23 | 4 |
| IN | $27.03 | 1 |
| KS | $26.51 | 1 |
| KY | $26.44 | 1 |
| LA | $26.38–$27.79 | 2 |
| MA | $30.23–$33.68 | 2 |
| MD | $29.33–$33.53 | 3 |
| ME | $26.96–$28.60 | 2 |
| MI | $27.14–$28.71 | 2 |
| MN | $29.26 | 1 |
| MO | $25.86–$27.95 | 3 |
| MS | $25.68 | 1 |
| MT | $29.06 | 1 |
| NC | $27.27 | 1 |
| ND | $28.66 | 1 |
| NE | $26.87 | 1 |
| NH | $29.92 | 1 |
| NJ | $31.46–$33.13 | 2 |
| NM | $27.28 | 1 |
| NV | $28.97 | 1 |
| NY | $27.71–$34.33 | 5 |
| OH | $27.06 | 1 |
| OK | $26.44 | 1 |
| OR | $28.77–$31.53 | 2 |
| PA | $27.13–$30.23 | 2 |
| PR | $29.30 | 1 |
| RI | $29.85 | 1 |
| SC | $27.21 | 1 |
| SD | $28.62 | 1 |
| TN | $26.65 | 1 |
| TX | $26.94–$30.33 | 8 |
| UT | $27.61 | 1 |
| VA | $28.47–$33.53 | 2 |
| VI | $29.30 | 1 |
| VT | $28.50 | 1 |
| WA | $30.19–$34.44 | 2 |
| WI | $27.63 | 1 |
| WV | $26.33 | 1 |
| WY | $28.89 | 1 |
How the 73090 rate is calculated
Each of 73090’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 · 73090
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.69
0.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$29.06
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,129
- Code
- 73090
- Physician work
- 0.16
- Practice expense
- 0.69
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
53
- Locality
- Iowa
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.915
- Malpractice
- 0.397
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.16 | × 1.000 | 0.1600 |
| Practice expense | 0.69 | × 0.915 | 0.6313 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.397 | 0.0079 |
| Total RVUs | 0.7993 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Iowa$26.70
Office: (0.16 × 1 + 0.69 × 0.915 + 0.02 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $26.70
Payment rules and modifiers for 73090
The CMS indicators that decide how 73090 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73090
Forearm X-ray, forearm, 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
73090 without 26 · national office
$29.06
Forearm X-ray, forearm, two views
73090-26 · Professional component
$7.68
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 73090 has changed in Iowa
73090 · Office / nonfacility
$26.70
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.56 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $26.14 to $26.70 (2.1%).
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
$26.14changed to$26.70
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.69
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
- Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$26.90changed to$26.14
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$26.47changed to$26.90
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$27.31changed to$26.47
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$27.49changed to$27.31
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
- Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$27.08changed to$27.49
- 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
$26.70changed to$27.08
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.67
- Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$26.01changed to$26.70
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.63
- Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$24.02changed to$26.01
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.61
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$23.88changed to$24.02
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$23.41changed to$23.88
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.55
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$23.49changed to$23.41
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$23.37changed to$23.49
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$25.88changed to$23.37
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.54
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$25.97changed to$25.88
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.62
- Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $25.97
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $26.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $26.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $26.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $26.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $26.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $26.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $26.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $26.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $26.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $27.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $27.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $27.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $27.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $27.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $27.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $27.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $27.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $27.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $27.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $27.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $27.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $26.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $26.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $26.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $26.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $26.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $24.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $24.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $24.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $24.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $23.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $23.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $23.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $23.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $23.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $23.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $23.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $23.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $23.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $23.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $25.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $25.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $25.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $25.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $25.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $25.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $25.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $25.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Iowa rate applies
Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Ackley
- Ackworth
- Adair
- Adel
- Afton
- Agency
- Ainsworth
- Akron
73090 billing questions
When should this code be chosen instead of an elbow or wrist X-ray code?
Use it for a two-view study centered on the radius and ulna. Choose an elbow or wrist code when the ordered and documented examination is of that joint.
Can the interpretation and imaging service be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How is a bilateral forearm study reported?
CMS pays each side separately at 100% when both forearms are examined. Document the side examined for each service.
What documentation supports reporting this study?
Document the clinical indication, the forearm and side examined, the views obtained, and the interpretation. The record should show that the study evaluates the forearm rather than only the elbow or wrist.
Should this code be used for a study with more than two views?
This code represents a two-view forearm study. Confirm that the documented examination and applicable code descriptor match the number and type of 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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