CPT code 73650: Heel X-ray, calcaneus study2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports radiographic imaging of the heel bone, generally for localized heel pain, suspected calcaneal fracture, or another condition centered on the calcaneus.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $26.65 for 73650 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73650 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
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.
How North Carolina compares for 73650
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73650 runs from $24.91 in Arkansas to $38.56 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $26.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$26.65
- Los Angeles, CA · California$32.48+$5.83
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$32.74+$6.09
- Miami, FL · Florida$30.33+$3.68
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$29.41+$2.76
- Manhattan, NY · New York$32.75+$6.10
- Alaska · Alaska$32.22+$5.57
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $25.30 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $24.91 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $27.60 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $30.38 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $35.52 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $32.36 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $30.54 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $31.92 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $31.80 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $32.63 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $37.71 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $37.69 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $38.56 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $38.47 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $31.28 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $33.00 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $31.95 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $33.34 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $35.48 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $30.32 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $29.74 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $30.36 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $28.08 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $29.22 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $27.74 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $28.90 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $26.10 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $31.18 | — |
| IowaIowa | $26.09 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $26.25 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $27.28 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $26.82 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $29.55 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $26.41 | — |
| KansasKansas | $25.91 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $25.85 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $27.16 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $25.79 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $32.88 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $29.53 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $30.27 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $28.66 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $26.35 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $27.94 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $28.07 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $26.53 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $28.57 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $27.01 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $27.32 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $25.29 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $25.11 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $28.39 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $27.99 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $26.25 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $29.22 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $32.35 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $30.73 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $26.67 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $28.30 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $33.53 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $30.90 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $33.10 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $27.07 | — |
| OhioOhio | $26.45 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $25.85 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $30.79 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $28.10 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $29.53 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $26.52 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $28.63 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $29.16 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $26.59 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $27.95 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $26.05 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $29.62 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $26.33 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $28.09 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $28.25 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $28.04 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $28.16 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $28.53 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $27.18 | — |
| UtahUtah | $26.98 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $27.81 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $28.63 | — |
| VermontVermont | $27.84 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $29.49 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $33.62 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $26.99 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $25.75 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $28.22 | — |
73650 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.
$24.91
$34.44
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $32.22 | 1 |
| AL | $25.30 | 1 |
| AR | $24.91 | 1 |
| AZ | $27.60 | 1 |
| CA | $30.32–$38.56 | 29 |
| CO | $29.74 | 1 |
| CT | $30.36 | 1 |
| DC | $32.74 | 1 |
| DE | $28.08 | 1 |
| FL | $27.74–$30.33 | 3 |
| GA | $26.10–$28.90 | 2 |
| GU | $31.18 | 1 |
| HI | $31.18 | 1 |
| IA | $26.09 | 1 |
| ID | $26.25 | 1 |
| IL | $26.82–$29.55 | 4 |
| IN | $26.41 | 1 |
| KS | $25.91 | 1 |
| KY | $25.85 | 1 |
| LA | $25.79–$27.16 | 2 |
| MA | $29.53–$32.88 | 2 |
| MD | $28.66–$32.74 | 3 |
| ME | $26.35–$27.94 | 2 |
| MI | $26.53–$28.07 | 2 |
| MN | $28.57 | 1 |
| MO | $25.29–$27.32 | 3 |
| MS | $25.11 | 1 |
| MT | $28.39 | 1 |
| NC | $26.65 | 1 |
| ND | $27.99 | 1 |
| NE | $26.25 | 1 |
| NH | $29.22 | 1 |
| NJ | $30.73–$32.35 | 2 |
| NM | $26.67 | 1 |
| NV | $28.30 | 1 |
| NY | $27.07–$33.53 | 5 |
| OH | $26.45 | 1 |
| OK | $25.85 | 1 |
| OR | $28.10–$30.79 | 2 |
| PA | $26.52–$29.53 | 2 |
| PR | $28.63 | 1 |
| RI | $29.16 | 1 |
| SC | $26.59 | 1 |
| SD | $27.95 | 1 |
| TN | $26.05 | 1 |
| TX | $26.33–$29.62 | 8 |
| UT | $26.98 | 1 |
| VA | $27.81–$32.74 | 2 |
| VI | $28.63 | 1 |
| VT | $27.84 | 1 |
| WA | $29.49–$33.62 | 2 |
| WI | $26.99 | 1 |
| WV | $25.75 | 1 |
| WY | $28.22 | 1 |
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.
How the rate is built · 73650
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.16
0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.67
0.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$28.39
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
8,249
- Code
- 73650
- Physician work
- 0.16
- Practice expense
- 0.67
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.16 | × 1.000 | 0.1600 |
| Practice expense | 0.67 | × 0.933 | 0.6251 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.639 | 0.0128 |
| Total RVUs | 0.7979 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$26.65
Office: (0.16 × 1 + 0.67 × 0.933 + 0.02 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $26.65
Payment rules and modifiers for 73650
The CMS indicators that decide how 73650 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73650
Heel X-ray, calcaneus 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
73650 without 26 · national office
$28.39
Heel X-ray, calcaneus study
73650-26 · Professional component
$7.68
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 73650 has changed in North Carolina
73650 · Office / nonfacility
$26.65
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.98 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $25.67 to $26.65 (3.8%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$25.67changed to$26.65
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$26.73changed to$25.67
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.67
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$26.29changed to$26.73
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$27.29changed to$26.29
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$27.94changed to$27.29
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$27.53changed to$27.94
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.68
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$26.79changed to$27.53
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.66
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$25.73changed to$26.79
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.58 changed to 0.61
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$26.03changed to$25.73
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.58
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$25.65changed to$26.03
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.58 changed to 0.59
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$25.59changed to$25.65
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$25.35changed to$25.59
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 0.57 changed to 0.58
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$25.22changed to$25.35
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$27.22changed to$25.22
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.57
- Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$27.68changed to$27.22
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.63
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $27.68
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $26.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $26.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $26.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $26.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $25.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $25.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $25.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $25.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $26.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $26.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $26.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $26.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $26.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $27.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $27.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $27.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $27.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $27.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $27.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $27.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $27.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $27.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $26.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $26.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $26.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $26.79 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $25.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $25.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $25.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $25.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $26.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $26.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $26.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $26.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $25.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $25.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $25.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $25.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $25.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $25.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $25.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $25.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $27.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $27.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $27.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $27.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $27.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $27.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $27.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $27.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
73650 billing questions
When should this code be chosen instead of a foot X-ray?
Use it for imaging centered on the calcaneus. A broader examination of the foot, rather than a heel-focused study, points to a foot radiography code.
How many views are required?
The study requires at least two radiographic views of the calcaneus. The order and imaging documentation should support the heel examination performed.
Can the interpretation and image acquisition be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and TC identifies the technical service; without a component modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How is a bilateral heel study reported for Medicare payment?
CMS pays each side separately at 100% when both heels are examined. The documentation should identify the side or sides imaged.
What documentation supports this code?
Document the clinical indication, that the calcaneus was imaged, the side examined, and the views obtained. The interpreting physician's report should address the heel 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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