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CPT code 73222: Joint MRI, upper extremity, with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports MRI evaluation of an upper-extremity joint after contrast administration, commonly for focused assessment of structures such as the shoulder labrum or wrist cartilage.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality14.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $361.50 for 73222 in the office.

$361.50Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.6%vs the national office rate ($312.63)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73222 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 73222 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 73222 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 73222 covers

This service captures MRI images of a specific upper-extremity joint after contrast is administered, often as a direct MR arthrogram when contrast is placed into the joint. It can help assess structures such as the shoulder labrum or wrist cartilage when internal derangement is suspected. A radiology team performs image acquisition, and a qualified physician interprets the study in hospital or outpatient imaging settings.

Select this code for a contrast-enhanced, joint-focused examination, not an MRI of the broader arm or hand region or a joint study using both pre- and post-contrast sequences. Documentation should identify the joint and side, clinical indication, contrast-enhanced acquisition, and interpretation. CMS permits global billing or separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, the multiple-procedure reduction applies to both components. For bilateral examinations, 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 73222

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73222 runs from $274.73 in Arkansas to $429.97 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $361.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73222 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$361.50
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$360.44−$1.06
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$328.75−$32.75
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$319.04−$42.46
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$359.66−$1.84
  6. Alaska · Alaska$354.02−$7.48
  7. Alabama · Alabama$279.01−$82.49

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

Every other payment area

73222 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$274.73—
ArizonaArizona$304.16—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$336.79—
Chico, CACalifornia$336.42—
El Centro, CACalifornia$336.44—
Fresno, CACalifornia$336.42—
Hanford, CACalifornia$336.42—
Madera, CACalifornia$336.42—

73222 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.

$274.73

$383.20

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

View every state and territory as a table
73222 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$354.021
AL$279.011
AR$274.731
AZ$304.161
CA$336.42–$429.9729
CO$328.861
CT$334.191
DC$361.501
DE$309.451
FL$303.21–$328.753
GA$285.67–$317.632
GU$346.181
HI$346.181
IA$288.641
ID$290.201
IL$292.41–$322.764
IN$292.041
KS$286.221
KY$283.881
LA$283.02–$298.022
MA$326.31–$364.092
MD$315.93–$361.503
ME$290.75–$308.972
MI$290.82–$306.192
MN$317.481
MO$277.18–$300.343
MS$276.061
MT$312.631
NC$294.141
ND$310.451
NE$290.621
NH$322.681
NJ$338.67–$357.202
NM$292.111
NV$312.281
NY$298.73–$367.585
OH$290.371
OK$284.401
OR$310.52–$340.972
PA$291.42–$324.802
PR$315.401
RI$321.691
SC$292.611
SD$310.191
TN$287.621
TX$289.31–$327.188
UT$296.891
VA$307.20–$361.502
VI$315.401
VT$308.261
WA$326.02–$372.752
WI$299.331
WV$280.661
WY$311.681

See 73222 in every payment locality

How the 73222 rate is calculated

Each of 73222’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 · 73222

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.58

1.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.67

7.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.3600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$312.63

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

8,177

Code
73222
Physician work
1.58
Practice expense
7.67
Malpractice
0.11

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 73222 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.58× 1.0541.6653
Practice expense7.67× 1.1789.0353
Malpractice0.11× 1.1130.1224
Total RVUs10.8230
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$361.50

Office: (1.58 × 1.054 + 7.67 × 1.178 + 0.11 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $361.50

Open 73222 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73222

The CMS indicators that decide how 73222 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73222

Joint MRI, upper extremity, with 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

73222 without 26 · national office

$312.63

Joint MRI, upper extremity, with contrast

73222-26 · Professional component

$75.15

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73222

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

Codes related to 73222
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
73221Joint MRI, upper extremity, no contrastUpper-extremity joint MRI without contrast.$235.92
73223Joint MRI, without and with contrastUpper-extremity joint MRI performed before and after contrast.$442.28
Often billed with
23350Shoulder injection, for diagnostic imagingShoulder arthrography injection may accompany a direct MR arthrogram.$180.67
25246Wrist injection, arthrographyWrist arthrography injection may accompany a direct MR arthrogram.$214.98
Used instead
73220Extremity MRI, without and with contrastMRI of an upper-extremity region with and without contrast, rather than a joint-focused study.$470.19

How 73222 has changed in Washington, DC area

73222 · Office / nonfacility

$361.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.29 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $357.21 to $361.50 (1.2%).

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

    $357.21changed to$361.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.62 changed to 1.58
    • Practice expense RVU 7.73 changed to 7.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • 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

    $376.33changed to$357.21

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.94 changed to 7.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $370.18changed to$376.33

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $395.78changed to$370.18

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 8.11 changed to 7.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • 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

    $416.47changed to$395.78

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 8.24 changed to 8.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $442.35changed to$416.47

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 8.76 changed to 8.24

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $443.60changed to$442.35

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.56 changed to 8.76
    • 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

    $445.56changed to$443.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.74 changed to 8.56
    • 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

    $457.22changed to$445.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 9.02 changed to 8.74

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $452.57changed to$457.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.94 changed to 9.02
    • 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

    $449.99changed to$452.57

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.90 changed to 8.94
    • 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

    $450.72changed to$449.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.89 changed to 8.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $448.47changed to$450.72

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $464.84changed to$448.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.27 changed to 8.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • 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

    $521.81changed to$464.84

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.28 changed to 9.27
    • 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: $521.81

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$361.50Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$361.50Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$361.50Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$361.50Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$357.21Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$357.21Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$357.21Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$357.21Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$376.33Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$376.33Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$376.33Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$376.33Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$370.18Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$395.78Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$395.78Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$395.78Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$395.78Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$416.47Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$416.47Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$416.47Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$416.47Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$442.35Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$442.35Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$442.35Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$442.35Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$443.60Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$443.60Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$443.60Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$443.60Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$445.56Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$445.56Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$445.56Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$445.56Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$457.22Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$457.22Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$457.22Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$457.22Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$452.57Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$452.57Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$452.57Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$452.57Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$449.99Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$449.99Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$449.99Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$449.99Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$450.72Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$450.72Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$448.47Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$448.47Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$464.84Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$464.84Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$464.84Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$464.84Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$521.81Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$521.81Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$521.81Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$521.81Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73222 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

73222 billing questions

How does this differ from 73223?

Use 73222 for the contrast-enhanced joint MRI. Code 73223 describes a joint MRI performed both before and after contrast.

When should 73221 be used instead?

Use 73221 for an upper-extremity joint MRI without contrast. Use 73222 when the joint study is performed with contrast.

Is a joint injection included in this code?

This code identifies the MRI service. A separately performed injection for arthrography may be reported under the appropriate injection code when documentation and coding requirements are met.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical service; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

How is a bilateral examination paid?

CMS pays each side separately at 100%. Documentation should identify the joint examined on each side.

What documentation supports choosing 73222?

Document the specific joint and side, the clinical reason for imaging, use of contrast, and the imaging interpretation.

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 73222PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,177 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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