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CPT code 73120: Hand X-ray, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a two-view hand radiograph for evaluation of injuries, pain, or joint changes when the diagnostic study covers the hand.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality232K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $36.28 for 73120 in the office.

$36.28Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.5%vs the national office rate ($31.40)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73120 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 73120 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 73120 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 73120 covers

This code represents a two-view radiographic study of the hand, commonly ordered to assess a suspected fracture, hand pain, or degenerative joint changes. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an office or facility setting; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them. Use it when the documented study consists of two views of the hand rather than a broader three-or-more-view hand series or a focused finger examination.

Documentation should identify the hand examined, the reason for imaging, and the views obtained. The global service is reported without a component modifier; report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation alone or TC for the technical service, which includes equipment and staff. When both hands are examined, each side is paid separately at 100%; report laterality using the applicable Medicare claim format.

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 73120

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73120 runs from $27.49 in Arkansas to $42.89 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $36.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73120 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$36.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$36.04−$0.24
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$33.46−$2.82
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$32.43−$3.85
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$36.24−$0.04
  6. Alaska · Alaska$35.42−$0.86
  7. Alabama · Alabama$27.93−$8.35

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

Every other payment area

73120 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$27.49—
ArizonaArizona$30.51—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$33.67—
Chico, CACalifornia$33.61—
El Centro, CACalifornia$33.62—
Fresno, CACalifornia$33.61—
Hanford, CACalifornia$33.61—
Madera, CACalifornia$33.61—

73120 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.

$27.49

$38.25

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

View every state and territory as a table
73120 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$35.421
AL$27.931
AR$27.491
AZ$30.511
CA$33.61–$42.8929
CO$32.941
CT$33.601
DC$36.281
DE$31.051
FL$30.62–$33.463
GA$28.78–$31.952
GU$34.591
HI$34.591
IA$28.841
ID$29.011
IL$29.56–$32.644
IN$29.201
KS$28.631
KY$28.521
LA$28.45–$29.992
MA$32.69–$36.472
MD$31.70–$36.283
ME$29.11–$30.922
MI$29.27–$30.972
MN$31.661
MO$27.88–$30.183
MS$27.691
MT$31.401
NC$29.451
ND$31.001
NE$29.031
NH$32.351
NJ$34.01–$35.842
NM$29.421
NV$31.311
NY$29.93–$37.115
OH$29.191
OK$28.531
OR$31.10–$34.132
PA$29.28–$32.662
PR$31.671
RI$32.261
SC$29.371
SD$30.951
TN$28.781
TX$29.06–$32.808
UT$29.811
VA$30.77–$36.282
VI$31.671
VT$30.811
WA$32.65–$37.302
WI$29.871
WV$28.361
WY$31.221

See 73120 in every payment locality

How the 73120 rate is calculated

Each of 73120’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 · 73120

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.76

0.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.9400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$31.40

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

8,144

Code
73120
Physician work
0.16
Practice expense
0.76
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 73120 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.16× 1.0540.1686
Practice expense0.76× 1.1780.8953
Malpractice0.02× 1.1130.0223
Total RVUs1.0862
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$36.28

Office: (0.16 × 1.054 + 0.76 × 1.178 + 0.02 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $36.28

Open 73120 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73120

The CMS indicators that decide how 73120 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73120

Hand 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

73120 without 26 · national office

$31.40

Hand X-ray, two views

73120-26 · Professional component

$8.02

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73120

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

Codes related to 73120
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
73130Hand X-ray, minimum of three viewsHand radiography with three or more views, rather than the two-view study.$44.11
Used instead
73140Finger X-ray, one or more fingersUse for focused radiographic examination of one or more fingers rather than the hand.$45.85
73100Wrist X-ray, two viewsWrist radiography when the study is centered on the wrist rather than the hand.$39.82
73110Wrist X-ray, complete, minimum three viewsThree-or-more-view wrist radiography when the imaged anatomy is the wrist.$49.62

How 73120 has changed in Washington, DC area

73120 · Office / nonfacility

$36.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.75 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $35.53 to $36.28 (2.1%).

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

    $35.53changed to$36.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • 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

    $36.96changed to$35.53

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.76

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $36.36changed to$36.96

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $37.83changed to$36.36

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.77
    • 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

    $38.81changed to$37.83

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.75 changed to 0.76
    • 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

    $38.27changed to$38.81

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.75

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $36.50changed to$38.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.73
    • 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

    $34.73changed to$36.50

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.67
    • 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

    $33.82changed to$34.73

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $31.15changed to$33.82

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.62
    • 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

    $30.67changed to$31.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.56
    • 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

    $30.78changed to$30.67

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $30.62changed to$30.78

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $33.15changed to$30.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.55
    • 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

    $33.38changed to$33.15

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.61
    • 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: $33.38

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$36.28Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$36.28Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$36.28Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$36.28Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$35.53Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$35.53Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$35.53Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$35.53Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$36.96Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$36.96Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$36.96Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$36.96Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$36.36Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$37.83Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$37.83Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$37.83Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$37.83Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$38.81Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$38.81Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$38.81Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$38.81Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$36.50Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$36.50Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$36.50Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$36.50Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$34.73Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$34.73Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$34.73Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$34.73Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$33.82Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$33.82Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$33.82Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$33.82Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$31.15Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$31.15Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$31.15Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$31.15Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$30.67Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$30.67Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$30.67Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$30.67Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$30.78Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$30.78Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$30.62Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$30.62Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$33.15Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$33.15Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$33.15Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$33.15Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$33.38Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$33.38Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$33.38Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$33.38Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73120 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

73120 billing questions

When should 73120 be used instead of 73130?

Use 73120 when the hand study consists of two views. Use 73130 when three or more views of the hand are obtained and documented.

Can the interpretation and image-taking service be billed separately?

Yes. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service; without either modifier, the code represents the global service.

How is imaging of both hands reported?

Each side is paid separately at 100%. Identify the right and left sides using the applicable Medicare claim format.

Does a hand X-ray include a separate finger study?

A separately performed, focused finger examination may be reported with the finger radiograph code when supported by the order and documentation. Do not select a finger code solely because fingers appear in a hand image.

What documentation supports this code?

The record should support the clinical reason for imaging, the hand examined, and that two views were obtained. The interpretation should document the physician's findings when the professional component is billed.

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 73120PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,144 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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