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CPT code 73223: Joint MRI, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports MRI evaluation of an upper extremity joint using images acquired before and after contrast, such as for suspected joint infection or tumor.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality19.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $442.28 for 73223 in the office.

$442.28Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.4%vs the national office rate ($383.11)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73223 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 73223 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 73223 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 73223 covers

This service covers MRI of an upper extremity joint, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand joint, with images obtained before and after contrast administration. A technologist performs the scan, and a radiologist interprets the images. It may be ordered when the clinical question requires assessment of a joint and surrounding structures with both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced imaging, including evaluation for infection, inflammatory disease, or a suspected mass.

Select this code when the study is of a joint and includes both precontrast and postcontrast imaging; a study using only one contrast protocol belongs to a different code. The order and report should identify the joint and side, the clinical indication, and the contrast phases performed. Report one service per side rather than separate units for the precontrast and postcontrast portions. The global service includes the technical and professional work; modifier 26 identifies interpretation only, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. When multiple diagnostic imaging services are performed, the multiple procedure reduction applies to both components. For bilateral studies, 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 73223

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73223 runs from $337.26 in Arkansas to $524.62 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $442.28. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73223 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$442.28
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$440.66−$1.62
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$403.40−$38.88
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$391.63−$50.65
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$440.42−$1.86
  6. Alaska · Alaska$435.95−$6.33
  7. Alabama · Alabama$342.44−$99.84

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

Every other payment area

73223 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$337.26—
ArizonaArizona$372.84—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$412.05—
Chico, CACalifornia$411.54—
El Centro, CACalifornia$411.56—
Fresno, CACalifornia$411.54—
Hanford, CACalifornia$411.54—
Madera, CACalifornia$411.54—

73223 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.

$337.26

$468.08

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

View every state and territory as a table
73223 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$435.951
AL$342.441
AR$337.261
AZ$372.841
CA$411.54–$524.6229
CO$402.561
CT$409.281
DC$442.281
DE$379.261
FL$372.08–$403.403
GA$350.81–$389.252
GU$423.191
HI$423.191
IA$353.911
ID$355.831
IL$359.14–$395.784
IN$358.051
KS$351.061
KY$348.501
LA$347.48–$365.622
MA$399.54–$445.182
MD$387.09–$442.283
ME$356.58–$378.492
MI$356.96–$375.772
MN$388.511
MO$340.48–$368.343
MS$338.991
MT$383.101
NC$360.671
ND$380.131
NE$356.281
NH$395.111
NJ$414.73–$437.142
NM$358.551
NV$382.581
NY$366.22–$450.095
OH$356.361
OK$349.041
OR$380.39–$417.132
PA$357.58–$397.962
PR$386.421
RI$394.061
SC$358.951
SD$379.781
TN$352.761
TX$355.04–$400.548
UT$364.121
VA$376.40–$442.282
VI$386.421
VT$377.551
WA$399.14–$455.602
WI$366.711
WV$344.931
WY$381.811

See 73223 in every payment locality

How the 73223 rate is calculated

Each of 73223’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 · 73223

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.10

2.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.22

9.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.4700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$383.11

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

8,180

Code
73223
Physician work
2.10
Practice expense
9.22
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 73223 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.10× 1.0542.2134
Practice expense9.22× 1.17810.8612
Malpractice0.15× 1.1130.1669
Total RVUs13.2415
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$442.28

Office: (2.1 × 1.054 + 9.22 × 1.178 + 0.15 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $442.28

Open 73223 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73223

The CMS indicators that decide how 73223 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73223

Joint MRI, without and 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

73223 without 26 · national office

$383.11

Joint MRI, without and with contrast

73223-26 · Professional component

$99.53

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73223

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

Codes related to 73223
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
73221Joint MRI, upper extremity, no contrastJoint MRI sibling for a study performed without contrast.$235.92
73222Joint MRI, upper extremity, with contrastJoint MRI sibling for a study performed with contrast only.$361.50
Used instead
73220Extremity MRI, without and with contrastUsed for upper extremity MRI when the target is not a joint.$470.19
73219Extremity MRI, contrast, non-joint areaContrast-only MRI for upper extremity anatomy other than a joint.$381.56

How 73223 has changed in Washington, DC area

73223 · Office / nonfacility

$442.28

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $441.61 to $442.28 (0.2%).

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

    $441.61changed to$442.28

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.15 changed to 2.10
    • Practice expense RVU 9.40 changed to 9.22
    • 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

    $464.39changed to$441.61

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.66 changed to 9.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $456.81changed to$464.39

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $489.24changed to$456.81

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.87 changed to 9.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $514.56changed to$489.24

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 10.05 changed to 9.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $544.66changed to$514.56

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.67 changed to 10.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $547.39changed to$544.66

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 10.46 changed to 10.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • 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

    $552.00changed to$547.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.70 changed to 10.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.11
    • 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

    $566.15changed to$552.00

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 11.04 changed to 10.70

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $562.09changed to$566.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.98 changed to 11.04
    • 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

    $557.16changed to$562.09

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.89 changed to 10.98
    • 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

    $557.87changed to$557.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.86 changed to 10.89

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $555.10changed to$557.87

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $575.20changed to$555.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.36 changed to 10.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $645.44changed to$575.20

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 13.83 changed to 11.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • 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: $645.44

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$442.28Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$442.28Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$442.28Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$442.28Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$441.61Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$441.61Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$441.61Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$441.61Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$464.39Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$464.39Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$464.39Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$464.39Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$456.81Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$489.24Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$489.24Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$489.24Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$489.24Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$514.56Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$514.56Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$514.56Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$514.56Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$544.66Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$544.66Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$544.66Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$544.66Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$547.39Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$547.39Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$547.39Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$547.39Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$552.00Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$552.00Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$552.00Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$552.00Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$566.15Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$566.15Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$566.15Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$566.15Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$562.09Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$562.09Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$562.09Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$562.09Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$557.16Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$557.16Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$557.16Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$557.16Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$557.87Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$557.87Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$555.10Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$555.10Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$575.20Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$575.20Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$575.20Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$575.20Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$645.44Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$645.44Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$645.44Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$645.44Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73223 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

73223 billing questions

How does this differ from 73221 or 73222?

Use 73223 when the joint MRI includes images both before and after contrast. 73221 is for a joint study without contrast, while 73222 is for one with contrast only.

Should the precontrast and postcontrast portions be billed as separate units?

No. The combined protocol is reported as one service per side, not as separate units for each contrast phase.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation alone and TC for the technical service alone. Report without either modifier when billing the global service.

How is a bilateral study reported?

Report each side separately and document the joint and laterality. CMS pays each side separately at 100% when performed bilaterally.

What documentation supports this code?

The order and imaging report should support the clinical need, identify the upper extremity joint and side, and show that imaging was performed both before and after contrast.

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 73223PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,180 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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