Billing code 73100: Wrist X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs

Reports a two-view plain-film examination of the wrist for concerns such as pain, injury, or suspected fracture.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities208.4K Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $34.40 for 73100 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $30.08–$47.23.

Medicare rate · 73100

Wrist X-ray

Work RVUs
0.16
Total RVUs
1.03
Global days
XXX

National rate · 2026

$34.40

Office setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 73100 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →

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 10 sections
  1. Medicare rate
  2. What 73100 covers
  3. By payment locality
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Similar codes
  8. Related codes
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 73100 covers

This code represents a plain-film examination of one wrist using two views. It is commonly ordered for wrist pain after a fall, suspected fracture, or evaluation of wrist alignment. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an emergency department, urgent care clinic, orthopedic office, or imaging department; a physician, often a radiologist, interprets them. The code covers the wrist, not a separate hand or finger examination.

Select this service when the documented wrist study consists of two views; a study with three or more views is reported with the corresponding higher-view wrist code. The record should identify the wrist examined, the views obtained, and the clinical reason for imaging. Bill the global service without a component modifier, or report the interpretation with modifier 26 and the equipment-and-staff portion with modifier TC. For bilateral examinations, CMS pays each side separately at 100%; identify each side on the claim.

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 73100 pays more and less

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

109 payment localities

$30.08 to $47.23

$30.08$38.66$47.23
One dot per payment locality, office / nonfacility. Hover a dot to see the locality; select it to open that rate.

109 of 109 payment localities

73100 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Alabama$30.56Unavailable
Alaska*$38.62Unavailable
Arizona$33.43Unavailable
Arkansas$30.08Unavailable
Atlanta$35.01Unavailable
Austin$35.98Unavailable
Bakersfield$36.97Unavailable
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys$36.72Unavailable
Beaumont$31.80Unavailable
Brazoria$34.04Unavailable

73100 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.

$30.08

$42.07

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

View every state and territory as a table
73100 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$38.621
AL$30.561
AR$30.081
AZ$33.431
CA$36.91–$47.2329
CO$36.141
CT$36.841
DC$39.821
DE$34.021
FL$33.49–$36.593
GA$31.46–$35.012
GU$38.011
HI$38.011
IA$31.591
ID$31.781
IL$32.31–$35.724
IN$31.991
KS$31.351
KY$31.191
LA$31.11–$32.822
MA$35.86–$40.062
MD$34.74–$39.823
ME$31.88–$33.902
MI$32.02–$33.872
MN$34.761
MO$30.47–$33.043
MS$30.281
MT$34.401
NC$32.261
ND$34.011
NE$31.801
NH$35.481
NJ$37.29–$39.332
NM$32.181
NV$34.321
NY$32.78–$40.685
OH$31.941
OK$31.221
OR$34.09–$37.472
PA$32.04–$35.792
PR$34.711
RI$35.371
SC$32.151
SD$33.961
TN$31.511
TX$31.80–$35.988
UT$32.631
VA$33.72–$39.822
VI$34.711
VT$33.791
WA$35.82–$40.992
WI$32.751
WV$30.971
WY$34.231

How the 73100 rate is calculated

Each of 73100’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 · 73100

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Work0.16

0.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.85

0.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.0300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$34.40

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

Payment rules and modifiers for 73100

The CMS indicators that decide how 73100 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73100

Wrist X-ray

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

73100 without 26 · national office

$34.40

Wrist X-ray

73100-26 · Professional component

$8.35

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

73100 compared with similar codes

Compare codes · National

4 codes, side by side

  • 73100

    Wrist X-ray0.16 wRVU

    $34.40

  • 73110

    Wrist X-ray0.17 wRVU

    $42.75+$8.35

  • 73115

    Contrast wrist study0.53 wRVU

    $133.27+$98.87

  • 73120

    Hand X-ray0.16 wRVU

    $31.40−$3.00

How to choose

73110Wrist X-ray
Choose 73100 for two wrist views; choose 73110 when the wrist examination includes three or more views.
73115Contrast wrist study
73115 describes wrist arthrography imaging with contrast. This code is for routine plain-film wrist views.
73120Hand X-ray
73120 is for hand radiography, while 73100 covers the wrist. Report a separate hand study only when hand imaging is performed and documented.

73100 billing questions

How does this differ from 73110?

73100 is for a two-view wrist study. Use 73110 when three or more wrist views are obtained.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use modifier 26 for the physician's interpretation alone and TC for the technical portion, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

How is a bilateral wrist examination reported?

CMS pays each side separately at 100% when both wrists are examined. Identify the right and left sides on the claim.

Can this code be used for a hand or finger study?

No. It represents wrist imaging; a separately performed hand or finger examination has its own code.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

Document the wrist examined, the two views obtained, and the clinical indication, such as post-fall pain or suspected fracture.

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 73100PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,135 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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