CPT code 73130: Hand X-ray, minimum of three views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $38.08 for 73130 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $33.28–$52.42.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 73130 covers

This study images the hand, including the metacarpals and phalanges, with a minimum of three projections. A standard series uses posteroanterior, oblique, and lateral views. It may be ordered after a fall, punch, or crush injury, or to evaluate suspected boxer's fracture, arthritis, bone lesions, or retained foreign bodies. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in physician offices, orthopedic and hand surgery clinics, urgent care centers, emergency departments, or hospital outpatient departments. A radiologist or treating physician interprets them.

Report 73130 when three or more hand views are obtained; use 73120 for a two-view hand exam or 73140 when imaging is limited to the fingers. The report should document the views, findings, and impression. Modifier 26 identifies interpretation alone; modifier TC identifies separately billed equipment and staff services. Bill the global service without either modifier when one entity provides both components. When both hands are imaged, Medicare pays each side separately at 100%; identify each hand with its laterality modifier.

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.

Where 73130 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

73130 rates by state

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

How the 73130 rate is calculated

Each of 73130’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 73130

The CMS indicators that decide how 73130 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

73130 compared with similar codes

How to choose

73120Hand X-rayTwo views

73120 is a two-view hand study. 73130 requires three or more views. Count the projections documented in the report.

73140Finger X-rayOne or more fingers

73140 covers imaging limited to one or more fingers. 73130 images the hand, including the metacarpals.

73110Wrist X-rayComplete, minimum three views

73110 is a complete wrist series centered on the carpal bones and distal radius and ulna. 73130 is centered on the hand. Report both when separate, dedicated views are performed and documented.

77072Bone ageSkeletal maturity study

77072 is a bone-age study using a hand and wrist image to assess skeletal maturity. 73130 is a diagnostic multiview hand series for injury or disease.

Codes related to 73130

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates