CPT code 73521: Hip X-ray, bilateral, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alaska
Reports a two-view X-ray examination of both hips, commonly ordered to evaluate bilateral hip pain or suspected degenerative changes.
In Alaska, Medicare pays $47.17 for 73521 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73521 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 73521 covers
This service is a plain-film examination of both hip joints, with a pelvic image included when obtained as part of the exam. It is commonly ordered for bilateral hip pain, suspected osteoarthritis, or assessment of the hip joints after injury. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an outpatient imaging center or hospital department, and a physician or other qualified interpreting professional reviews them and reports the findings.
Select the code when the documented examination covers both hips and includes two views. The order, image record, and interpretation should support the bilateral scope and view count. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.
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 Alaska compares for 73521
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73521 runs from $36.62 in Arkansas to $57.27 in San Benito County, CA. Alaska pays $47.17. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alaska · this page$47.17
- Los Angeles, CA · California$48.05+$0.88
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$48.27+$1.10
- Miami, FL · Florida$44.17−$3.00
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$42.84−$4.33
- Manhattan, NY · New York$48.11+$0.94
- Alabama · Alabama$37.20−$9.97
Other areas in Alaska first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $36.62 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $40.60 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $44.89 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $52.70 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $47.90 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $45.05 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $47.25 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $47.08 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $48.33 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $56.02 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $56.00 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $57.27 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $57.18 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $46.30 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $48.91 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $47.29 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $49.42 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $52.67 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $44.83 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $43.87 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $44.65 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $41.31 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $42.73 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $40.59 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $42.45 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $38.20 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $46.14 | — |
| IowaIowa | $38.45 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $38.67 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $39.70 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $39.16 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $43.24 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $38.92 | — |
| KansasKansas | $38.15 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $37.91 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $39.83 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $37.81 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $48.57 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $43.53 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $44.51 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $42.18 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $38.77 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $41.20 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $41.02 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $38.87 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $42.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $39.66 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $40.12 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $37.03 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $36.84 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $41.75 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $39.23 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $41.35 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $38.71 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $43.06 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $47.69 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $45.23 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $39.06 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $41.67 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $49.21 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $45.44 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $48.70 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $39.85 | — |
| OhioOhio | $38.79 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $37.96 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $45.47 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $41.42 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $43.40 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $38.92 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $42.12 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $42.94 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $39.06 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $41.31 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $38.34 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $43.66 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $38.64 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $41.35 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $41.58 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $41.25 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $41.45 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $41.82 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $39.95 | — |
| UtahUtah | $39.64 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $40.98 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $42.12 | — |
| VermontVermont | $41.08 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $43.49 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $49.71 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $39.86 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $37.58 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $41.58 | — |
73521 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$36.62
$51.05
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $47.17 | 1 |
| AL | $37.20 | 1 |
| AR | $36.62 | 1 |
| AZ | $40.60 | 1 |
| CA | $44.83–$57.27 | 29 |
| CO | $43.87 | 1 |
| CT | $44.65 | 1 |
| DC | $48.27 | 1 |
| DE | $41.31 | 1 |
| FL | $40.59–$44.17 | 3 |
| GA | $38.20–$42.45 | 2 |
| GU | $46.14 | 1 |
| HI | $46.14 | 1 |
| IA | $38.45 | 1 |
| ID | $38.67 | 1 |
| IL | $39.16–$43.24 | 4 |
| IN | $38.92 | 1 |
| KS | $38.15 | 1 |
| KY | $37.91 | 1 |
| LA | $37.81–$39.83 | 2 |
| MA | $43.53–$48.57 | 2 |
| MD | $42.18–$48.27 | 3 |
| ME | $38.77–$41.20 | 2 |
| MI | $38.87–$41.02 | 2 |
| MN | $42.27 | 1 |
| MO | $37.03–$40.12 | 3 |
| MS | $36.84 | 1 |
| MT | $41.75 | 1 |
| NC | $39.23 | 1 |
| ND | $41.35 | 1 |
| NE | $38.71 | 1 |
| NH | $43.06 | 1 |
| NJ | $45.23–$47.69 | 2 |
| NM | $39.06 | 1 |
| NV | $41.67 | 1 |
| NY | $39.85–$49.21 | 5 |
| OH | $38.79 | 1 |
| OK | $37.96 | 1 |
| OR | $41.42–$45.47 | 2 |
| PA | $38.92–$43.40 | 2 |
| PR | $42.12 | 1 |
| RI | $42.94 | 1 |
| SC | $39.06 | 1 |
| SD | $41.31 | 1 |
| TN | $38.34 | 1 |
| TX | $38.64–$43.66 | 8 |
| UT | $39.64 | 1 |
| VA | $40.98–$48.27 | 2 |
| VI | $42.12 | 1 |
| VT | $41.08 | 1 |
| WA | $43.49–$49.71 | 2 |
| WI | $39.86 | 1 |
| WV | $37.58 | 1 |
| WY | $41.58 | 1 |
How the 73521 rate is calculated
Each of 73521’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 · 73521
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.02
1.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.2500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$41.75
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alaska inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,195
- Code
- 73521
- Physician work
- 0.21
- Practice expense
- 1.02
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
5
- Locality
- Alaska
- Physician work
- 1.500
- Practice expense
- 1.065
- Malpractice
- 0.551
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.21 | × 1.500 | 0.3150 |
| Practice expense | 1.02 | × 1.065 | 1.0863 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.551 | 0.0110 |
| Total RVUs | 1.4123 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alaska$47.17
Office: (0.21 × 1.5 + 1.02 × 1.065 + 0.02 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $47.17
Payment rules and modifiers for 73521
The CMS indicators that decide how 73521 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73521
Hip X-ray, bilateral, two views
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
73521 without 26 · national office
$41.75
Hip X-ray, bilateral, two views
73521-26 · Professional component
$10.69
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 73521 has changed in Alaska
73521 · Office / nonfacility
$47.17
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.15 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $46.02 to $47.17 (2.5%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$46.02changed to$47.17
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.02
- Practice expense GPCI 1.081 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.592 changed to 0.551
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$47.36changed to$46.02
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$46.59changed to$47.36
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$48.87changed to$46.59
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.081
- Malpractice GPCI 0.603 changed to 0.592
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$50.15changed to$48.87
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 1.00
- Practice expense GPCI 1.118 changed to 1.100
- Malpractice GPCI 0.614 changed to 0.603
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$49.39changed to$50.15
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.96 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$47.89changed to$49.39
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.96
- Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.614
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$46.22changed to$47.89
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.84 changed to 0.88
- Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.118
- Malpractice GPCI 0.708 changed to 0.661
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$45.36changed to$46.22
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.84
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$47.47changed to$45.36
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.82
- Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.117
- Malpractice GPCI 0.710 changed to 0.708
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$46.81changed to$47.47
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.87 changed to 0.88
- Practice expense GPCI 1.107 changed to 1.112
- Malpractice GPCI 0.712 changed to 0.710
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged to$46.81
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $47.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $47.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $47.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $47.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $46.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $46.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $46.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $46.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $47.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $47.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $47.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $47.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $46.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $48.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $48.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $48.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $48.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $50.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $50.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $50.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $50.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $49.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $49.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $49.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $49.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $47.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $47.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $47.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $47.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $46.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $46.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $46.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $46.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $45.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $45.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $45.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $45.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $47.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $47.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $47.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $47.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $46.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $46.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $46.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $46.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the Alaska rate applies
Alaska is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 355 cities and communities in Alaska. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adak
- Akhiok
- Akiachak
- Akiak
- Akutan
- Alakanuk
- Alatna
- Alcan Border
73521 billing questions
How does this differ from 73502?
73521 describes a two-view examination of both hips. Code 73502 is for a unilateral hip examination with two or three views.
When should 73522 be selected instead?
Use 73522 when the bilateral hip examination includes three or four views rather than two.
Can the professional and technical services be reported separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Does an image of the pelvis change the code selection?
The examination may include a pelvic image when performed. Select the code based on the documented bilateral hip exam and its view count.
Should the code be reported once for each hip?
The code describes an examination of both hips, not a separate unilateral service for each side. The record should support that both hips were examined.
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
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