Billing code 73562: Knee X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $42.42 for 73562 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $37.06–$58.57.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 73562 covers

This study captures three distinct projections of one knee, often an AP, a lateral, and either an oblique or a patellar tangential view such as a sunrise view. Radiologic technologists obtain the images in orthopedic offices, urgent care centers, imaging centers, and hospital departments. A radiologist or treating physician interprets the images and documents a written report. Common indications include suspected fracture after a fall, degenerative joint disease, patellofemoral pain, and follow-up after arthroplasty or fracture fixation.

Select this code by counting the distinct views documented for one knee: three views fit here, while one or two views and four or more views have different codes. The report should identify the views and findings. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation; modifier TC identifies the equipment-and-staff portion. Billing without either modifier represents the global service. If both knees receive three views each, report each side; Medicare 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.

Where 73562 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

73562 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 73562 rate is calculated

Each of 73562’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 73562

The CMS indicators that decide how 73562 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

73562 compared with similar codes

How to choose

73560Knee X-ray

Use 73560 when only one or two views are documented, such as AP and lateral. A third distinct projection, such as a sunrise view, moves the study to 73562.

73564Knee X-ray

73564 applies when four or more views are obtained, for example AP, lateral, sunrise, and tunnel. Exactly three documented views stay at 73562.

73565Knee X-ray

73565 describes a standing AP image of both knees. 73562 describes a three-view series of one knee, reported per side.

73580Knee arthrography

73580 describes imaging supervision and interpretation for knee arthrography using contrast in the joint; 73562 describes a plain radiographic study.

Codes related to 73562

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates