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CPT code 73221: Joint MRI, upper extremity, no contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Nevada

Reports MRI imaging of an upper-extremity joint without contrast, commonly used to assess shoulder, elbow, or wrist problems.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality528.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Nevada, Medicare pays $204.74 for 73221 in the office.

$204.74Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−0.2%vs the national office rate ($205.08)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73221 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 73221 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Nevada
  2. What 73221 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 73221 covers

This service uses magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate an upper-extremity joint without contrast material. Common targets include the shoulder, elbow, and wrist; clinicians may request the study for suspected rotator cuff or labral injury, internal joint derangement, or unexplained joint pain. An imaging technologist acquires the images, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them in an outpatient imaging center or hospital department.

Select this code when the study is directed at a joint rather than a nonjoint region of the arm, and when contrast is not used. The order and report should identify the joint and clinical reason for imaging, and the record should support the performed protocol. The global service includes the technical work and interpretation; modifier 26 reports interpretation only, and modifier TC reports the technical portion only. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both components. For bilateral imaging, 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 Nevada compares for 73221

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73221 runs from $181.35 in Arkansas to $278.37 in San Benito County, CA. Nevada pays $204.74. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73221 in Nevada vs other payment areas
  1. Nevada · this page$204.74
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$234.79+$30.05
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$235.92+$31.18
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$216.16+$11.42
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$210.07+$5.33
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$235.26+$30.52
  7. Alaska · Alaska$236.05+$31.31

Other areas in Nevada first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

73221 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$184.03—
ArkansasArkansas$181.35—
ArizonaArizona$199.75—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$219.91—
Chico, CACalifornia$219.60—
El Centro, CACalifornia$219.62—
Fresno, CACalifornia$219.60—
Hanford, CACalifornia$219.60—

73221 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.

$181.35

$248.99

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

View every state and territory as a table
73221 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$236.051
AL$184.031
AR$181.351
AZ$199.751
CA$219.60–$278.3729
CO$215.061
CT$218.761
DC$235.921
DE$203.101
FL$199.64–$216.163
GA$188.60–$208.352
GU$225.461
HI$225.461
IA$189.841
ID$190.861
IL$193.03–$211.984
IN$192.001
KS$188.421
KY$187.291
LA$186.79–$196.172
MA$213.55–$237.212
MD$207.17–$235.923
ME$191.31–$202.552
MI$191.72–$201.612
MN$207.551
MO$183.20–$197.503
MS$182.341
MT$205.081
NC$193.411
ND$203.301
NE$191.051
NH$211.181
NJ$221.67–$233.342
NM$192.571
NV$204.741
NY$196.29–$240.345
OH$191.361
OK$187.511
OR$203.56–$222.552
PA$191.96–$212.932
PR$206.771
RI$210.811
SC$192.621
SD$203.091
TN$189.311
TX$190.65–$213.998
UT$195.301
VA$201.51–$235.922
VI$206.771
VT$202.021
WA$213.31–$242.602
WI$196.371
WV$185.681
WY$204.301

See 73221 in every payment locality

How the 73221 rate is calculated

Each of 73221’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 · 73221

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.32

1.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.73

4.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.1400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$205.08

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

The exact Nevada inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,174

Code
73221
Physician work
1.32
Practice expense
4.73
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

73

Locality
Nevada
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.001
Malpractice
0.833
Office calculation for 73221 in Nevada
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0001.3200
Practice expense4.73× 1.0014.7347
Malpractice0.09× 0.8330.0750
Total RVUs6.1297
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Nevada$204.74

Office: (1.32 × 1 + 4.73 × 1.001 + 0.09 × 0.833) × $33.4009 = $204.74

Open 73221 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73221

The CMS indicators that decide how 73221 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73221

Joint MRI, upper extremity, no contrast

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
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

73221 without 26 · national office

$205.08

Joint MRI, upper extremity, no contrast

73221-26 · Professional component

$63.13

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73221

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

Codes related to 73221
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Nevada
Same family
73222Joint MRI, upper extremity, with contrastJoint MRI with contrast; contrast use distinguishes it from this study.$312.28
73223Joint MRI, without and with contrastJoint MRI without and with contrast.$382.58
Used instead
73218Extremity MRI, non-joint, without contrastMRI without contrast for an upper-extremity region not imaged as a joint.$302.98
73220Extremity MRI, without and with contrastMRI without and with contrast for a nonjoint upper-extremity region.$406.26

How 73221 has changed in Nevada

73221 · Office / nonfacility

$204.74

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.65 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $200.09 to $204.74 (2.3%).

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

    $200.09changed to$204.74

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.32
    • Practice expense RVU 4.76 changed to 4.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.844 changed to 0.833

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $207.91changed to$200.09

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.82 changed to 4.76

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $204.52changed to$207.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $214.47changed to$204.52

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 4.82
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.098 changed to 0.844

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $220.85changed to$214.47

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.89 changed to 4.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.351 changed to 1.098

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $230.11changed to$220.85

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.13 changed to 4.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $234.16changed to$230.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.02 changed to 5.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.351

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $239.68changed to$234.16

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.12 changed to 5.02
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.017 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.909 changed to 1.130

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $245.28changed to$239.68

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $246.86changed to$245.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.25 changed to 5.28
    • Work GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.017
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.909

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $247.39changed to$246.86

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.19 changed to 5.25
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.004
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $246.83changed to$247.39

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.17 changed to 5.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $245.60changed to$246.83

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $268.95changed to$245.60

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.08
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.055 changed to 1.051
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.107 changed to 0.982

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $296.40changed to$268.95

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.83 changed to 5.72
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.058 changed to 1.055
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.107

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$296.40

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$204.74Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$204.74Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$204.74Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$204.74Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$200.09Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$200.09Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$200.09Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$200.09Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$207.91Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$207.91Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$207.91Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$207.91Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$204.52Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$214.47Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$214.47Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$214.47Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$214.47Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$220.85Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$220.85Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$220.85Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$220.85Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$230.11Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$230.11Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$230.11Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$230.11Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$234.16Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$234.16Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$234.16Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$234.16Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$239.68Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$239.68Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$239.68Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$239.68Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$245.28Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$245.28Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$245.28Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$245.28Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$246.86Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$246.86Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$246.86Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$246.86Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$247.39Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$247.39Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$247.39Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$247.39Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$246.83Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$246.83Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$245.60Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$245.60Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$268.95Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$268.95Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$268.95Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$268.95Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$296.40Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73221 for an earlier date of service

Where the Nevada rate applies

Nevada is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 138 cities and communities in Nevada. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Alamo
  • Amargosa Valley
  • Austin
  • Baker
  • Battle Mountain
  • Beatty
  • Beaverdam
  • Bennett Springs

Browse all communities in Nevada

73221 billing questions

How does this differ from MRI of the upper extremity?

Use this code when imaging is directed at an upper-extremity joint, such as the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. Code 73218 describes MRI of an upper-extremity area rather than a joint.

When should contrast MRI codes be used instead?

Use 73222 when contrast is used, or 73223 when the study is performed both without and with contrast. This code is for a study performed without contrast.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

How is bilateral joint imaging reported?

Report each side distinctly when both upper-extremity joints are imaged. CMS pays each side separately at 100%.

What happens when multiple imaging procedures are performed?

CMS's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components. The reduction can therefore affect either a global claim or separately billed components.

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 73221PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,174 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for NevadaGPCI2026.csv, line 73 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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