CPT code 73590: Lower-leg X-ray, tibia and fibula, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports a two-view X-ray examination of the tibia and fibula, commonly obtained to evaluate lower-leg pain, injury, or suspected fracture.
Medicare pays $29.06–$32.80 for 73590 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 73590 covers
This code represents a two-view radiographic examination of the tibia and fibula in the lower leg. It is commonly ordered for pain or trauma, including suspected fractures, deformity, or assessment of bone healing. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in settings such as an imaging center, physician office, or hospital; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them.
Select the code when the study images the tibia and fibula and includes two views. The order and report should support the body part, side examined, and imaging performed. The global service includes image acquisition and interpretation. When those portions are billed separately, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. For bilateral examinations, each side is paid separately at 100%; report the sides separately using the applicable laterality conventions.
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 73590 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
$29.06 to $32.80
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $32.80 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | $29.06 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | $31.06 | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | $31.25 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | $31.00 | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | $31.15 | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | $31.51 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | $30.04 | Unavailable |
How the 73590 rate is calculated
Each of 73590’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 · 73590
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.76
0.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$31.40
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 73590
The CMS indicators that decide how 73590 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73590
Lower-leg X-ray, tibia and fibula, 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) | 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
73590 without 26 · national office
$31.40
Lower-leg X-ray, tibia and fibula, two views
73590-26 · Professional component
$7.68
Pays only the interpretation and report.
73590 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 73592Lower-extremity X-rayInfant, two views
- This code is for a two-view tibia and fibula examination; 73592 is the lower-leg radiography code designated for an infant.
- 73551Femur X-rayOne view
- 73551 describes a one-view femur examination. Choose this code when the images instead cover the tibia and fibula.
- 73562Knee X-rayThree views, one knee
- 73562 is for a three-view knee examination. This code is for a two-view tibia and fibula study.
73590 billing questions
How many views are represented by this code?
This code represents a two-view examination of the tibia and fibula. Use the code matching the actual study and its documented views.
When should a femur X-ray be reported instead?
Use a femur radiography code when the imaged anatomy is the femur rather than the tibia and fibula. Codes 73551 and 73552 distinguish femur studies by view count.
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 examination reported?
Each side is paid separately at 100% when both legs are examined. Report each side separately using the applicable laterality conventions.
Does a knee X-ray replace this lower-leg study?
No. Use a knee radiography code when the examination is of the knee, selecting the code that matches its views. This code describes imaging of the tibia and fibula.
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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