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Billing code 73110: Wrist X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs

Plain radiographs of the wrist with at least three views, reported for suspected fracture, wrist pain after trauma, arthritis evaluation, or fracture follow-up.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities1M Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $42.75 for 73110 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $37.30–$59.16.

Medicare rate · 73110

Wrist X-ray

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

Work RVUs
0.17
Total RVUs
1.28
Global days
XXX

National rate · 2026

$42.75

Office setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 73110 → · 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 73110 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 73110 covers

This complete wrist radiograph series typically includes posteroanterior, lateral, and oblique projections. A dedicated scaphoid view may be added when a scaphoid fracture is suspected. Common indications include a fall on an outstretched hand, suspected distal radius or carpal fracture, post-reduction and healing checks, and inflammatory or degenerative arthritis. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in physician offices, orthopedic and urgent care clinics, emergency departments, or hospital outpatient imaging departments. A radiologist, orthopedist, or other treating physician interprets them.

The documented view count drives code selection: three or more wrist views support 73110, while two views support 73100. The report should identify the views obtained, findings, and impression. Modifier 26 identifies the professional component for interpretation; modifier TC identifies the technical component furnished through imaging equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier claims the global service. When both wrists are imaged, each side is paid separately at 100%. Report the right and left wrists with RT and LT.

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 73110 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

$37.30 to $59.16

$37.30$48.23$59.16
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

73110 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Alabama$37.91Unavailable
Alaska*$47.66Unavailable
Arizona$41.53Unavailable
Arkansas$37.30Unavailable
Atlanta$43.49Unavailable
Austin$44.80Unavailable
Bakersfield$46.09Unavailable
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys$45.66Unavailable
Beaumont$39.43Unavailable
Brazoria$42.32Unavailable

73110 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.

$37.30

$52.60

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

View every state and territory as a table
73110 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$47.661
AL$37.911
AR$37.301
AZ$41.531
CA$46.03–$59.1629
CO$45.011
CT$45.811
DC$49.621
DE$42.281
FL$41.49–$45.273
GA$38.95–$43.492
GU$47.461
HI$47.461
IA$39.261
ID$39.491
IL$39.96–$44.294
IN$39.751
KS$38.931
KY$38.661
LA$38.54–$40.702
MA$44.64–$49.982
MD$43.19–$49.623
ME$39.59–$42.182
MI$39.67–$41.942
MN$43.341
MO$37.71–$41.013
MS$37.521
MT$42.751
NC$40.071
ND$42.361
NE$39.531
NH$44.161
NJ$46.39–$48.982
NM$39.871
NV$42.681
NY$40.73–$50.575
OH$39.591
OK$38.711
OR$42.41–$46.712
PA$39.73–$44.482
PR$43.141
RI$43.991
SC$39.891
SD$42.311
TN$39.131
TX$39.43–$44.808
UT$40.501
VA$41.94–$49.622
VI$43.141
VT$42.061
WA$44.60–$51.182
WI$40.761
WV$38.271
WY$42.581

How the 73110 rate is calculated

Each of 73110’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 · 73110

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

Work 0.17Practice expense 1.09Malpractice 0.02

1.2800 adjusted RVUs×$33.4009 conversion factor=$42.75

All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

Payment rules and modifiers for 73110

The CMS indicators that decide how 73110 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 73110

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

73110 without 26 · national office

$42.75

Wrist X-ray

73110-26 · Professional component

$8.68

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

73110 compared with similar codes

Compare codes

73110 vs 73100 vs 73130 vs 73115: national Medicare rates

Swap in your local Medicare rate.

  • 73110
    Wrist X-ray · 0.17 wRVU
    $42.75
  • 73100
    Wrist X-ray · 0.16 wRVU
    $34.40−$8.35
  • 73130
    Hand X-ray · 0.17 wRVU
    $38.08−$4.67
  • 73115
    Contrast wrist study · 0.53 wRVU
    $133.27+$90.52

How to choose

73100Wrist X-ray
73100 describes two wrist views. 73110 requires at least three, such as posteroanterior, lateral, and oblique projections.
73130Hand X-ray
73130 is a three-view study centered on the hand and metacarpals. 73110 examines the wrist, including the carpal bones and distal radius and ulna.
73115Contrast wrist study
73115 covers contrast wrist arthrography imaging. 73110 is a plain wrist radiograph series with at least three views.

Codes related to 73110

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

Codes related to 73110
CodeHow it relatesNational office range
Used instead
73100Wrist X-rayTwo-view wrist study, reported instead when only two wrist views are obtained.$30.08–$47.23
73115Contrast wrist studyContrast wrist arthrography imaging instead of plain projections when intra-articular evaluation is needed.$116.40–$184.78
Often billed with
73130Hand X-rayThree-view hand series that may accompany a distinct wrist series after trauma.$33.28–$52.42
73090Forearm X-rayForearm films that may accompany distinct wrist views for suspected radius or ulna injury.$25.49–$39.52

73110 billing questions

How do I choose between this code and 73100?

Count the documented wrist views. Three or more support 73110; 73100 describes a two-view wrist study.

Does an added scaphoid view require a separate code?

No. A dedicated scaphoid projection counts toward the wrist view total rather than creating a separate wrist study.

How are bilateral wrist X-rays reported?

Report the right and left wrist studies with RT and LT. CMS pays each side separately at 100%.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use 26 when billing only the interpretation, such as a physician's interpretation of hospital images. Use TC for the equipment and staff portion when no interpretation is billed by that entity. Without either modifier, the claim is for the global service.

Can hand and wrist films be billed together on the same date?

Yes, when distinct hand and wrist series are clinically indicated and documented. For example, a three-view hand series is reported with 73130 alongside a separately performed complete wrist series.

Is this code used for wrist arthrography?

No. Use 73115 for contrast wrist arthrography imaging rather than this plain wrist radiograph series.

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 73110PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,138 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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