CPT code 73723: Joint MRI, without and with contrast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
MRI of a lower extremity joint with images acquired before and after contrast is reported when both phases are medically indicated.
Medicare pays $339.04–$366.75 for 73723 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. 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 73723 covers
This service is an MRI of a lower extremity joint, such as the knee, hip, or ankle, with image sequences obtained before and after contrast. A technologist performs the scan, and a radiologist typically interprets the images. It may be selected when contrast-enhanced characterization is needed for concerns such as infection, a mass, synovial disease, or a postoperative problem.
Report this code when the study includes both noncontrast and postcontrast imaging of the joint; a study performed only before or only after contrast belongs to a different code. The order and imaging report should support the joint examined, the use of both phases, and the clinical reason for contrast. The global service includes acquisition and interpretation; modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. CMS applies diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both components. For bilateral imaging, 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.
Where 73723 pays more and less in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$339.04 to $366.75
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $362.64 | Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $366.75 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Missouri | $339.04 | Unavailable |
How the 73723 rate is calculated
Each of 73723’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 · 73723
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.10
2.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.17
9.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
11.4200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$381.44
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 73723
The CMS indicators that decide how 73723 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73723
Joint MRI, without and with contrast
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 4 | Diagnostic imaging reduction applies to the technical component (and professional component) of additional services. |
| 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
73723 without 26 · national office
$381.44
Joint MRI, without and with contrast
73723-26 · Professional component
$99.20
Pays only the interpretation and report.
73723 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 73721Lower extremity joint MRIWithout contrast
- Choose 73721 for a lower extremity joint MRI performed without contrast. Choose this code when the exam includes both noncontrast and postcontrast sequences.
- 73722Joint MRIWith contrast
- Code 73722 is for a joint MRI performed with contrast only; this code represents imaging before and after contrast.
- 73720MRINon-joint, without and with contrast
- Code 73720 covers a lower extremity MRI without and with contrast when the study is not focused on a joint. This code is specifically for a joint examination.
73723 billing questions
When should this be reported instead of 73721?
Use 73723 when the joint MRI includes imaging both before and after contrast. Code 73721 is for a joint MRI performed without contrast.
How does this differ from 73722?
Code 73722 describes a joint MRI performed with contrast only. This code requires both noncontrast and postcontrast imaging.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the interpretation, and modifier TC reports the equipment and staff service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How are bilateral joint MRIs paid?
CMS pays each side separately at 100% when the study is performed bilaterally. Documentation should identify the joint and side imaged.
Does a multiple-procedure reduction affect this code?
CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both the technical and professional components when applicable.
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
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