CPT code 73551: Femur X-ray, one view2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

A single-view femur radiograph evaluates the thigh bone for suspected fracture, pain, or another bone abnormality when one projection is obtained.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality28.9K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $27.59 for 73551 in the office.

$27.59Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−6.1%vs the national office rate ($29.39)

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.

We’ll open 73551 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 73551 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 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 New Mexico 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. New Mexico pays $27.59. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73551 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$27.59
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$33.67+$6.08
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$33.92+$6.33
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$31.37+$3.78
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.41+$2.82
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$33.91+$6.32
  7. Alaska · Alaska$33.28+$5.69

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

Every other payment area

73551 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
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—

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
73551 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$33.281
AL$26.181
AR$25.771
AZ$28.571
CA$31.42–$40.0029
CO$30.811
CT$31.441
DC$33.921
DE$29.071
FL$28.70–$31.373
GA$27.00–$29.922
GU$32.311
HI$32.311
IA$27.001
ID$27.171
IL$27.73–$30.584
IN$27.341
KS$26.821
KY$26.741
LA$26.68–$28.102
MA$30.58–$34.072
MD$29.67–$33.923
ME$27.27–$28.942
MI$27.44–$29.032
MN$29.601
MO$26.15–$28.273
MS$25.971
MT$29.391
NC$27.591
ND$29.001
NE$27.181
NH$30.271
NJ$31.82–$33.522
NM$27.591
NV$29.301
NY$28.03–$34.735
OH$27.361
OK$26.741
OR$29.10–$31.902
PA$27.44–$30.582
PR$29.641
RI$30.191
SC$27.521
SD$28.951
TN$26.961
TX$27.24–$30.688
UT$27.921
VA$28.80–$33.922
VI$29.641
VT$28.831
WA$30.54–$34.852
WI$27.951
WV$26.621
WY$29.221

See 73551 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 New Mexico 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

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 73551 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.16× 1.0000.1600
Practice expense0.70× 0.9170.6419
Malpractice0.02× 1.2010.0240
Total RVUs0.8259
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$27.59

Office: (0.16 × 1 + 0.7 × 0.917 + 0.02 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $27.59

Open 73551 in the RVU calculator

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

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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

73551 without 26 · national office

$29.39

Femur X-ray, one view

73551-26 · Professional component

$8.02

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 73551 has changed in New Mexico

73551 · Office / nonfacility

$27.59

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $26.79 to $27.59 (3.0%).

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

    $26.79changed to$27.59

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $27.26changed to$26.79

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.71

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $26.82changed to$27.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $27.61changed to$26.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $27.74changed to$27.61

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $27.66changed to$27.74

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $27.62changed to$27.66

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.68
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $27.24changed to$27.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.64
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $26.88changed to$27.24

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.62

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $26.75changed to$26.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $26.30changed to$26.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.61
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    No ratechanged to$26.30

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$27.59Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$27.59Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$27.59Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$27.59Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$26.79Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$26.79Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$26.79Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$26.79Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$27.26Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$27.26Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$27.26Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$27.26Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$26.82Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$27.61Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$27.61Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$27.61Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$27.61Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$27.74Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$27.74Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$27.74Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$27.74Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$27.66Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$27.66Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$27.66Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$27.66Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$27.62Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$27.62Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$27.62Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$27.62Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$27.24Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$27.24Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$27.24Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$27.24Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$26.88Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$26.88Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$26.88Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$26.88Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$26.75Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$26.75Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$26.75Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$26.75Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$26.30Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$26.30Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$26.30Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$26.30Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 73551 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

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
RVUs for 73551PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,207 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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