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CPT code 73721: Lower extremity joint MRI, without contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Noncontrast MRI of a knee, ankle, hip, or other lower extremity joint is reported to evaluate joint injury or disease.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality732.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $214.35 for 73721 in the office.

$214.35Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+4.9%vs the national office rate ($204.41)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 73721 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 73721 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 73721 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 73721 covers

This study images a lower extremity joint, often the knee, ankle, or hip, without intravenous or intra-articular contrast. Orthopedists, sports medicine physicians, and podiatrists commonly order it to evaluate meniscal tears, ACL and collateral ligament injuries, cartilage defects, tendon tears, labral pathology, osteochondral lesions, stress fractures, and avascular necrosis. Studies are performed in hospital outpatient departments and freestanding imaging centers, with a radiologist interpreting the images.

Report the joint studied and its side. For corresponding joints imaged bilaterally, identify both sides using modifier 50 or separate RT and LT lines according to the billing format; Medicare pays each side separately at 100%. Modifier TC identifies the equipment, staff, and other technical work, while modifier 26 identifies the interpretation and signed report. Billing without either modifier represents the global service. When multiple diagnostic imaging studies are performed in the same session, the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the technical and professional components. Documentation should identify the joint, side, indication, sequences, and absence of contrast.

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 Colorado compares for 73721

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 73721 runs from $180.77 in Arkansas to $277.40 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $214.35. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

73721 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$214.35
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$234.00+$19.65
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$235.14+$20.79
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$215.46+$1.11
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$209.40−$4.95
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$234.48+$20.13
  7. Alaska · Alaska$235.33+$20.98

Other areas in Colorado first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

73721 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$183.44—
ArkansasArkansas$180.77—
ArizonaArizona$199.10—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$219.18—
Chico, CACalifornia$218.87—
El Centro, CACalifornia$218.89—
Fresno, CACalifornia$218.87—
Hanford, CACalifornia$218.87—

73721 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.

$180.77

$248.14

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

View every state and territory as a table
73721 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$235.331
AL$183.441
AR$180.771
AZ$199.101
CA$218.87–$277.4029
CO$214.351
CT$218.041
DC$235.141
DE$202.441
FL$199.00–$215.463
GA$188.00–$207.672
GU$224.701
HI$224.701
IA$189.231
ID$190.241
IL$192.42–$211.294
IN$191.381
KS$187.821
KY$186.701
LA$186.20–$195.542
MA$212.85–$236.412
MD$206.50–$235.143
ME$190.69–$201.892
MI$191.11–$200.972
MN$206.861
MO$182.63–$196.873
MS$181.761
MT$204.411
NC$192.791
ND$202.631
NE$190.431
NH$210.491
NJ$220.94–$232.572
NM$191.961
NV$204.071
NY$195.65–$239.545
OH$190.751
OK$186.911
OR$202.89–$221.812
PA$191.35–$212.242
PR$206.101
RI$210.121
SC$192.011
SD$202.421
TN$188.711
TX$190.04–$213.288
UT$194.671
VA$200.86–$235.142
VI$206.101
VT$201.361
WA$212.61–$241.782
WI$195.731
WV$185.101
WY$203.631

See 73721 in every payment locality

How the 73721 rate is calculated

Each of 73721’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 · 73721

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.32

1.32 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.71

4.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.1200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$204.41

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,276

Code
73721
Physician work
1.32
Practice expense
4.71
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 73721 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0121.3358
Practice expense4.71× 1.0645.0114
Malpractice0.09× 0.7810.0703
Total RVUs6.4176
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$214.35

Office: (1.32 × 1.012 + 4.71 × 1.064 + 0.09 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $214.35

Open 73721 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 73721

The CMS indicators that decide how 73721 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73721

Lower extremity joint MRI, without contrast

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures4Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services.
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

73721 without 26 · national office

$204.41

Lower extremity joint MRI, without contrast

73721-26 · Professional component

$62.79

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 73721

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

Codes related to 73721
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Colorado
Same family
73722Joint MRI, with contrastMRI of a lower extremity joint with contrast.$331.34
73723Joint MRI, without and with contrastJoint MRI performed without contrast followed by contrast-enhanced imaging.$400.79
Used instead
73718MRI, nonjoint, without contrastNoncontrast MRI when the lower extremity target is a non-joint region.$233.54
73700Extremity CT, without contrast materialNoncontrast CT of the lower extremity when CT is chosen instead of MRI.$136.24

How 73721 has changed in Colorado

73721 · Office / nonfacility

$214.35

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.14 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $208.21 to $214.35 (2.9%).

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

    $208.21changed to$214.35

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.32
    • Practice expense RVU 4.75 changed to 4.71
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $216.37changed to$208.21

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.81 changed to 4.75

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $212.84changed to$216.37

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $221.69changed to$212.84

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.87 changed to 4.81
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $226.23changed to$221.69

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.88 changed to 4.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $235.98changed to$226.23

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.11 changed to 4.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $238.11changed to$235.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.01 changed to 5.11
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $240.25changed to$238.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.12 changed to 5.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $245.85changed to$240.25

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $243.15changed to$245.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.24 changed to 5.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $240.47changed to$243.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.20 changed to 5.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $239.10changed to$240.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.16 changed to 5.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $237.91changed to$239.10

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $259.13changed to$237.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.73 changed to 5.16
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $282.50changed to$259.13

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.83 changed to 5.73
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $282.50

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$214.35Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$214.35Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$214.35Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$214.35Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$208.21Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$208.21Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$208.21Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$208.21Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$216.37Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$216.37Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$216.37Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$216.37Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$212.84Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$221.69Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$221.69Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$221.69Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$221.69Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$226.23Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$226.23Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$226.23Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$226.23Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$235.98Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$235.98Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$235.98Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$235.98Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$238.11Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$238.11Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$238.11Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$238.11Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$240.25Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$240.25Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$240.25Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$240.25Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$245.85Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$245.85Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$245.85Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$245.85Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$243.15Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$243.15Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$243.15Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$243.15Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$240.47Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$240.47Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$240.47Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$240.47Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$239.10Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$239.10Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$237.91Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$237.91Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$259.13Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$259.13Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$259.13Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$259.13Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$282.50Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$282.50Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$282.50Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$282.50Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 73721 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

73721 billing questions

When is 73721 chosen instead of 73718?

Use 73721 when the study targets a joint, such as the knee, ankle, or hip. Use 73718 when it targets a non-joint lower extremity region, such as a thigh or calf soft tissue mass or a long bone shaft.

How are bilateral knee MRIs reported?

Identify the right and left knee using modifier 50 or separate RT and LT lines according to the billing format. Medicare pays each side separately at 100%.

Can 73721 be reported for an MR arthrogram?

No. When contrast is injected into the joint, report the joint MRI with contrast using 73722; report the appropriate joint injection service separately when it is performed and documented.

Which modifier does a reading radiologist use?

A radiologist who only interprets the study reports modifier 26. The entity furnishing the technical study reports modifier TC, and an entity furnishing both components bills without either modifier.

What happens when a knee and an ankle MRI are done the same day?

Report each joint studied with its side. If the studies are performed in the same session, the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to their technical and professional components.

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 73721PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,276 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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