CPT code 73551: Femur X-ray, one view2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
A single-view femur radiograph evaluates the thigh bone for suspected fracture, pain, or another bone abnormality when one projection is obtained.
In Montana, Medicare pays $29.39 for 73551 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73551 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 73551 covers
This service is a radiograph of the femur acquired in a single projection. It is commonly ordered after trauma or for thigh pain, suspected fracture, or another concern involving the femoral bone. The study focuses on the femur rather than a joint-focused hip or knee examination. A technologist obtains the image in a hospital, imaging center, or office; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets it and prepares a report.
Choose this code when the documented femur study consists of one view; use 73552 when two or more views are obtained. The order, imaging record, and report should support the body site, laterality, number of views, and clinical reason for the examination. The service may be billed globally, or separately for interpretation with modifier 26 and for the technical portion with modifier TC. When both femurs are imaged, CMS pays each side 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 Montana compares for 73551
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73551 runs from $25.77 in Arkansas to $40.00 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $29.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$29.39
- Los Angeles, CA · California$33.67+$4.28
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$33.92+$4.53
- Miami, FL · Florida$31.37+$1.98
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.41+$1.02
- Manhattan, NY · New York$33.91+$4.52
- Alaska · Alaska$33.28+$3.89
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $26.18 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $25.77 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $28.57 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $31.48 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $36.84 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $33.55 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $31.64 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $33.09 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $32.97 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $33.83 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $39.13 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $39.10 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $40.00 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $39.91 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $32.42 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $34.22 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $33.11 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $34.57 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $36.80 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $31.42 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $30.81 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $31.44 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $29.07 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $30.24 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $28.70 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $29.92 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $27.00 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $32.31 | — |
| IowaIowa | $27.00 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $27.17 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $28.20 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $27.73 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $30.58 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $27.34 | — |
| KansasKansas | $26.82 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $26.74 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $28.10 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $26.68 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $34.07 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $30.58 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $31.34 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $29.67 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $27.27 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $28.94 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $29.03 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $27.44 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $29.60 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $27.95 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $28.27 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $26.15 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $25.97 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $27.59 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $29.00 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $27.18 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $30.27 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.52 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $31.82 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $27.59 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $29.30 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $34.73 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $31.99 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $34.29 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $28.03 | — |
| OhioOhio | $27.36 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $26.74 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $31.90 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $29.10 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $30.58 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $27.44 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $29.64 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $30.19 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $27.52 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $28.95 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $26.96 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $30.68 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $27.24 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $29.08 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $29.25 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $29.03 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $29.16 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $29.52 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $28.14 | — |
| UtahUtah | $27.92 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $28.80 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $29.64 | — |
| VermontVermont | $28.83 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $30.54 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $34.85 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $27.95 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $26.62 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $29.22 | — |
73551 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.
$25.77
$35.71
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 | $33.28 | 1 |
| AL | $26.18 | 1 |
| AR | $25.77 | 1 |
| AZ | $28.57 | 1 |
| CA | $31.42–$40.00 | 29 |
| CO | $30.81 | 1 |
| CT | $31.44 | 1 |
| DC | $33.92 | 1 |
| DE | $29.07 | 1 |
| FL | $28.70–$31.37 | 3 |
| GA | $27.00–$29.92 | 2 |
| GU | $32.31 | 1 |
| HI | $32.31 | 1 |
| IA | $27.00 | 1 |
| ID | $27.17 | 1 |
| IL | $27.73–$30.58 | 4 |
| IN | $27.34 | 1 |
| KS | $26.82 | 1 |
| KY | $26.74 | 1 |
| LA | $26.68–$28.10 | 2 |
| MA | $30.58–$34.07 | 2 |
| MD | $29.67–$33.92 | 3 |
| ME | $27.27–$28.94 | 2 |
| MI | $27.44–$29.03 | 2 |
| MN | $29.60 | 1 |
| MO | $26.15–$28.27 | 3 |
| MS | $25.97 | 1 |
| MT | $29.39 | 1 |
| NC | $27.59 | 1 |
| ND | $29.00 | 1 |
| NE | $27.18 | 1 |
| NH | $30.27 | 1 |
| NJ | $31.82–$33.52 | 2 |
| NM | $27.59 | 1 |
| NV | $29.30 | 1 |
| NY | $28.03–$34.73 | 5 |
| OH | $27.36 | 1 |
| OK | $26.74 | 1 |
| OR | $29.10–$31.90 | 2 |
| PA | $27.44–$30.58 | 2 |
| PR | $29.64 | 1 |
| RI | $30.19 | 1 |
| SC | $27.52 | 1 |
| SD | $28.95 | 1 |
| TN | $26.96 | 1 |
| TX | $27.24–$30.68 | 8 |
| UT | $27.92 | 1 |
| VA | $28.80–$33.92 | 2 |
| VI | $29.64 | 1 |
| VT | $28.83 | 1 |
| WA | $30.54–$34.85 | 2 |
| WI | $27.95 | 1 |
| WV | $26.62 | 1 |
| WY | $29.22 | 1 |
How the 73551 rate is calculated
Each of 73551’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 · 73551
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.70
0.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$29.39
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,207
- Code
- 73551
- Physician work
- 0.16
- Practice expense
- 0.70
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.16 | × 1.000 | 0.1600 |
| Practice expense | 0.70 | × 1.000 | 0.7000 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.998 | 0.0200 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8800 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$29.39
Office: (0.16 × 1 + 0.7 × 1 + 0.02 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $29.39
Payment rules and modifiers for 73551
The CMS indicators that decide how 73551 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73551
Femur X-ray, one view
| 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) | 3 | Each side paid at 100% (no 150% cap). |
| 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
73551 without 26 · national office
$29.39
Femur X-ray, one view
73551-26 · Professional component
$8.02
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 73551 has changed in Montana
73551 · Office / nonfacility
$29.39
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.62 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $28.77 to $29.39 (2.2%).
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
$28.77changed to$29.39
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.70
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$29.28changed to$28.77
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.71
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$28.80changed to$29.28
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$29.81changed to$28.80
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$30.09changed to$29.81
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$29.99changed to$30.09
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$29.81changed to$29.99
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.68
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$29.29changed to$29.81
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.64
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$28.89changed to$29.29
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.62
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$28.66changed to$28.89
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$28.09changed to$28.66
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.61
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
No ratechanged to$28.09
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 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $29.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $28.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $28.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $28.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $28.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $29.28 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $28.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $30.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $29.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $29.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $29.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $29.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $29.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $29.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $29.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $29.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $29.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $28.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $28.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $28.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $28.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $28.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $28.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $28.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $28.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $28.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $28.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $28.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $28.09 | 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 Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
73551 billing questions
When should 73551 be selected instead of 73552?
Use 73551 for a one-view femur study. When the examination includes two or more views, report 73552 instead.
Can the interpretation and image acquisition be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
How is a bilateral femur examination handled?
When both sides are imaged, CMS pays each side separately at 100%. Document the side examined for each service.
What documentation supports this code?
The record should identify the femur, laterality, single-view acquisition, and the reason for imaging. The interpretation report should support the professional service when modifier 26 is billed.
Should a hip or knee X-ray be reported instead?
Choose the code that matches the imaged anatomy and view count. A femur study evaluates the thigh bone; hip and knee codes describe examinations focused on those joints.
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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