CPT code 73580: Knee arthrography, radiographic contrast study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports radiographic imaging and interpretation of a contrast study of the knee joint, typically performed after contrast is introduced into the joint.
Medicare pays $108.48–$122.49 for 73580 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 73580 covers
This service covers radiographic imaging and interpretation of a knee arthrogram: contrast is introduced into the joint, and images are obtained to assess its internal structures. A radiologist typically interprets the study; imaging staff acquire the images, and a physician may perform the joint injection. It is distinct from routine knee x-rays without intra-articular contrast and from an MRI arthrogram.
Report 73580 for the radiographic arthrogram service, supported by documentation identifying the knee, the contrast study, the images obtained, and the interpretation. The contrast injection is commonly reported separately with 27370. CMS prices the professional interpretation with modifier 26 and the equipment-and-staff service with modifier TC; billing without either modifier represents the global service. When both knees are examined, 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.
Where 73580 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$108.48 to $122.49
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $122.49 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | $108.48 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | $115.95 | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | $116.65 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | $115.73 | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | $116.27 | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | $117.73 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | $112.12 | Unavailable |
How the 73580 rate is calculated
Each of 73580’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 · 73580
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.58
0.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.85
2.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.5100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$117.24
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 73580
The CMS indicators that decide how 73580 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73580
Knee arthrography, radiographic contrast study
| 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
73580 without 26 · national office
$117.24
Knee arthrography, radiographic contrast study
73580-26 · Professional component
$31.73
Pays only the interpretation and report.
73580 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 73560Knee X-rayOne or two views
- Use 73560 for routine noncontrast knee radiographs with one or two views, not a contrast arthrogram.
- 73562Knee X-rayThree views, one knee
- 73562 describes routine noncontrast knee radiographs with three views; 73580 is for contrast arthrography.
- 73564Knee X-rayFour or more views, one knee
- 73564 describes routine noncontrast knee radiographs with four or more views, while 73580 reports radiographic imaging and interpretation of a contrast study.
73580 billing questions
How does 73580 differ from routine knee x-rays?
73580 is for radiographic imaging and interpretation of a knee arthrogram using contrast introduced into the joint. Routine knee x-ray codes describe noncontrast examinations and are selected by the number of views.
Is the contrast injection included in 73580?
The injection is commonly reported separately with 27370. Keep documentation clear about the injection and the radiographic arthrogram service.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, 73580 represents the global service.
How is bilateral knee arthrography paid?
CMS pays each side separately at 100% when both knees are examined. Document which knee was studied and report the services for each side.
What documentation supports 73580?
The record should identify the knee, document that the examination used intra-articular contrast, and support the radiographic imaging and interpretation. The report should reflect the arthrogram findings.
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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