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CPT code 73600: Ankle X-ray, two views2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

A two-view ankle radiograph evaluates the ankle after injury or for pain, swelling, or suspected bone abnormality when a limited study is performed.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality196.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $37.46 for 73600 in the office.

$37.46Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.6%vs the national office rate ($32.40)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73600 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 73600 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 73600 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 73600 covers

This code represents a two-view X-ray examination of the ankle, commonly obtained for an ankle sprain or injury, pain, swelling, or suspected fracture. Images are acquired by radiology staff in an imaging department, hospital, urgent care center, or equipped office; a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets the study. The examination is limited to the ankle rather than a dedicated foot or heel study.

Choose this code when the documented ankle examination consists of two views; use the view count and body region actually imaged to distinguish it from a three-or-more-view ankle study. The record should support the ankle side, views obtained, clinical reason, and interpretation. Medicare allows the global service to be billed without a component modifier, or the interpretation with modifier 26 and the equipment and staff portion with modifier TC. For bilateral examinations, each side is paid 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 Washington, DC area compares for 73600

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73600 runs from $28.35 in Arkansas to $44.34 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $37.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73600 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$37.46
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$37.22−$0.24
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$34.50−$2.96
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$33.43−$4.03
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$37.41−$0.05
  6. Alaska · Alaska$36.49−$0.97
  7. Alabama · Alabama$28.81−$8.65

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

73600 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$28.35—
ArizonaArizona$31.48—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$34.77—
Chico, CACalifornia$34.71—
El Centro, CACalifornia$34.72—
Fresno, CACalifornia$34.71—
Hanford, CACalifornia$34.71—
Madera, CACalifornia$34.71—

73600 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$28.35

$39.53

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
73600 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$36.491
AL$28.811
AR$28.351
AZ$31.481
CA$34.71–$44.3429
CO$34.011
CT$34.681
DC$37.461
DE$32.041
FL$31.57–$34.503
GA$29.68–$32.972
GU$35.731
HI$35.731
IA$29.751
ID$29.941
IL$30.48–$33.664
IN$30.131
KS$29.531
KY$29.411
LA$29.34–$30.932
MA$33.75–$37.662
MD$32.71–$37.463
ME$30.04–$31.912
MI$30.19–$31.932
MN$32.691
MO$28.74–$31.133
MS$28.561
MT$32.401
NC$30.391
ND$32.001
NE$29.951
NH$33.401
NJ$35.11–$37.002
NM$30.341
NV$32.311
NY$30.88–$38.305
OH$30.111
OK$29.431
OR$32.09–$35.242
PA$30.20–$33.712
PR$32.681
RI$33.301
SC$30.291
SD$31.961
TN$29.691
TX$29.98–$33.868
UT$30.751
VA$31.75–$37.462
VI$32.681
VT$31.811
WA$33.71–$38.532
WI$30.831
WV$29.231
WY$32.231

See 73600 in every payment locality

How the 73600 rate is calculated

Each of 73600’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 · 73600

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.79

0.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.9700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$32.40

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,234

Code
73600
Physician work
0.16
Practice expense
0.79
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 73600 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.16× 1.0540.1686
Practice expense0.79× 1.1780.9306
Malpractice0.02× 1.1130.0223
Total RVUs1.1215
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$37.46

Office: (0.16 × 1.054 + 0.79 × 1.178 + 0.02 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $37.46

Open 73600 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73600

The CMS indicators that decide how 73600 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73600

Ankle X-ray, two views

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

73600 without 26 · national office

$32.40

Ankle X-ray, two views

73600-26 · Professional component

$8.02

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73600

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 73600
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
73610Ankle X-ray, complete, at least three viewsSibling ankle study for three or more views.$42.93
Often billed with
73620Foot X-ray, two viewsA separate foot study may accompany ankle imaging when both regions are evaluated.$33.13
73630Foot X-ray, complete, at least three viewsA three-or-more-view foot study may accompany a distinct ankle examination.$39.39
Used instead
73615Ankle arthrography, radiographic supervision and interpretationAn ankle contrast examination is a different imaging method.$154.29

How 73600 has changed in Washington, DC area

73600 · Office / nonfacility

$37.46

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.16 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $36.30 to $37.46 (3.2%).

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

    $36.30changed to$37.46

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $37.75changed to$36.30

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.78

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $37.14changed to$37.75

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $39.47changed to$37.14

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.80 changed to 0.79
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $40.09changed to$39.47

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.78 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $40.00changed to$40.09

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.78

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $38.27changed to$40.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.77
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $36.90changed to$38.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.71
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $35.56changed to$36.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $35.47changed to$35.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $35.41changed to$35.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $32.08changed to$35.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.58 changed to 0.66

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $31.92changed to$32.08

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $34.44changed to$31.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.58
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $35.01changed to$34.44

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.70 changed to 0.64
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $35.01

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$37.46Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$37.46Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$37.46Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$37.46Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$36.30Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$36.30Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$36.30Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$36.30Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$37.75Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$37.75Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$37.75Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$37.75Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$37.14Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$39.47Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$39.47Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$39.47Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$39.47Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$40.09Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$40.09Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$40.09Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$40.09Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$40.00Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$38.27Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$36.90Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$36.90Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$36.90Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$36.90Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$35.56Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$35.56Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$35.56Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$35.56Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$35.47Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$35.47Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$35.47Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$35.47Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$35.41Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$35.41Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$35.41Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$35.41Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$32.08Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$32.08Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$31.92Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$31.92Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$34.44Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$34.44Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$34.44Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$34.44Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$35.01Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73600 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

73600 billing questions

How does this differ from 73610?

73600 is for a two-view ankle examination. Use 73610 when three or more ankle views are obtained and documented.

Can the interpretation and imaging be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

How is a bilateral ankle examination reported?

Report the examination for each side. CMS pays each side separately at 100%; use the applicable laterality identification on the claim.

Can an ankle and foot X-ray be reported together?

They may both be reported when distinct ankle and foot examinations are performed and documented. Use the foot code that matches its own view count rather than treating foot images as ankle views.

What documentation supports 73600?

Document the clinical reason, ankle side, two views obtained, and the physician's interpretation when reporting the professional service.

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 73600PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,234 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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