CPT code 73650: Heel X-ray, calcaneus study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $28.39 for 73650 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $24.91–$38.56.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 73650 covers

This study images the calcaneus, the heel bone, with at least two radiographic views. It is commonly ordered for focal heel pain, trauma with concern for a calcaneal fracture, or evaluation of a heel abnormality such as a spur. A radiologic technologist typically obtains the images in an office, imaging center, or hospital; a physician interprets them and documents the findings.

Choose this code when the imaging is specifically of the calcaneus, rather than a broader foot or ankle examination. The order and report should identify the heel examined and support the clinical reason for imaging. When one billing entity provides both image acquisition and interpretation, report the global service; use modifier 26 for the interpretation alone or TC for the technical service alone when those components are billed separately. For bilateral studies, 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 73650 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

73650 rates by state

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

How the 73650 rate is calculated

Each of 73650’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 73650

The CMS indicators that decide how 73650 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

73650 compared with similar codes

How to choose

73620Foot X-rayTwo views

This code is for calcaneus-focused imaging; 73620 is for radiographs of the foot. Select according to the anatomic examination performed.

73630Foot X-rayComplete, at least three views

Use this code for a heel-focused study. Code 73630 describes a complete foot examination, not an isolated calcaneus study.

73600Ankle X-rayTwo views

This code images the calcaneus, while 73600 is for an ankle examination. A heel complaint alone does not make the study an ankle X-ray.

Codes related to 73650

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates