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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

73221 in Delaware

Office / nonfacility

$203.10

Base rate per service

Facility setting

Not available in this setting

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Radiology

About 73221: Upper-extremity joint MRI without contrast

Reports MRI imaging of an upper-extremity joint without contrast, commonly used to assess shoulder, elbow, or wrist problems.

This service uses magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate an upper-extremity joint without contrast material. Common targets include the shoulder, elbow, and wrist; clinicians may request the study for suspected rotator cuff or labral injury, internal joint derangement, or unexplained joint pain. An imaging technologist acquires the images, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets them in an outpatient imaging center or hospital department.

Select this code when the study is directed at a joint rather than a nonjoint region of the arm, and when contrast is not used. The order and report should identify the joint and clinical reason for imaging, and the record should support the performed protocol. The global service includes the technical work and interpretation; modifier 26 reports interpretation only, and modifier TC reports the technical portion only. CMS applies the diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction to both components. For bilateral imaging, each side is paid separately at 100%.

CMS billing rules for 73221

Professional and technical components
Diagnostic test with a professional component (modifier 26, interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, equipment and staff); billing without a modifier is the global service.
Multiple procedures
Diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to the technical and professional components.
Bilateral procedures
Each side is paid separately at 100% when performed bilaterally.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU1.32 · 21%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU4.73 · 77%
  • Malpractice RVU0.09 · 1%

528.4K

Medicare services in 2024 · #224 by national volume

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.

73221 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Delaware, from the same CMS release.

73218

Extremity MRI

Non-joint, without contrast

$300.09

This code is for MRI focused on a joint. Code 73218 applies when the target is an upper-extremity region rather than a joint.

73222

Joint MRI

Upper extremity, with contrast

$309.45

Both describe MRI of an upper-extremity joint, but 73222 is used when contrast is administered.

73223

Joint MRI

Without and with contrast

$379.26

Use 73223 for joint imaging performed both without and with contrast; use this code for imaging without contrast.

The same code, a different location

How does Delaware compare?

73221 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Delaware · This locality

    $203.10

  2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $234.79

    $31.69 higher than Delaware

  3. Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    $235.92

    $32.82 higher than Delaware

  4. Miami

    $216.16

    $13.06 higher than Delaware

  5. Chicago

    $210.07

    $6.97 higher than Delaware

  6. Manhattan

    $235.26

    $32.16 higher than Delaware

  7. Alaska*

    $236.05

    $32.95 higher than Delaware

Other payment areas listed in Delaware appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 73221 ranges from $181.35 in Arkansas to $278.37 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 73221

    Office

    $184.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.07 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 73221

    Office

    $181.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $21.75 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 73221

    Office

    $199.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.35 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Bakersfield

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.81 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Chico

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • El Centro

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.52 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fresno

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hanford-Corcoran

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Madera

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Merced

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 73221

    Office

    $256.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $53.52 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 73221

    Office

    $233.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.84 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 73221

    Office

    $220.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 73221

    Office

    $231.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $27.93 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 73221

    Office

    $230.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $27.07 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 73221

    Office

    $235.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $32.89 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 73221

    Office

    $272.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $69.32 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 73221

    Office

    $272.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $69.22 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 73221

    Office

    $278.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $75.27 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 73221

    Office

    $277.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $74.85 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 73221

    Office

    $226.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.30 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 73221

    Office

    $238.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.48 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 73221

    Office

    $231.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.05 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 73221

    Office

    $241.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.93 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 73221

    Office

    $256.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $53.37 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 73221

    Office

    $219.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 73221

    Office

    $215.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.96 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 73221

    Office

    $218.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.66 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 73221

    Office

    $209.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.46 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 73221

    Office

    $199.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.46 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 73221

    Office

    $208.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.25 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 73221

    Office

    $188.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.50 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 73221

    Office

    $225.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.36 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 73221

    Office

    $189.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.26 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 73221

    Office

    $190.86

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.24 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 73221

    Office

    $195.49

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.61 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 73221

    Office

    $193.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.07 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 73221

    Office

    $211.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.88 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 73221

    Office

    $192.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.10 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 73221

    Office

    $188.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.68 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 73221

    Office

    $187.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.81 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 73221

    Office

    $196.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.93 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 73221

    Office

    $186.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $16.31 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 73221

    Office

    $237.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.11 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 73221

    Office

    $213.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.45 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 73221

    Office

    $218.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.93 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 73221

    Office

    $207.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.07 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 73221

    Office

    $191.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.79 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 73221

    Office

    $202.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.55 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 73221

    Office

    $201.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.49 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 73221

    Office

    $191.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.38 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 73221

    Office

    $207.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.45 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 73221

    Office

    $195.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.72 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 73221

    Office

    $197.50

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.60 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 73221

    Office

    $183.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.90 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 73221

    Office

    $182.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $20.76 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 73221

    Office

    $205.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.98 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 73221

    Office

    $193.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.69 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 73221

    Office

    $203.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.20 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 73221

    Office

    $191.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.05 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 73221

    Office

    $211.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.08 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 73221

    Office

    $233.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.24 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 73221

    Office

    $221.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.57 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 73221

    Office

    $192.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.53 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 73221

    Office

    $204.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.64 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 73221

    Office

    $240.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.24 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 73221

    Office

    $222.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.61 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 73221

    Office

    $237.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.89 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 73221

    Office

    $196.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.81 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 73221

    Office

    $191.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.74 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 73221

    Office

    $187.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.59 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 73221

    Office

    $222.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.45 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 73221

    Office

    $203.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.46 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 73221

    Office

    $212.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.83 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 73221

    Office

    $191.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.14 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 73221

    Office

    $206.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.67 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 73221

    Office

    $210.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.71 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 73221

    Office

    $192.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.48 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 73221

    Office

    $203.09

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.01 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 73221

    Office

    $189.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.79 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $213.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.89 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $190.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $12.45 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $203.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.25 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $204.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.32 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $202.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.22 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $203.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.71 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $205.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.36 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 73221

    Office

    $196.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.37 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 73221

    Office

    $195.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.80 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 73221

    Office

    $201.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.59 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 73221

    Office

    $206.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.67 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 73221

    Office

    $202.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.08 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 73221

    Office

    $213.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $10.21 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 73221

    Office

    $242.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $39.50 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 73221

    Office

    $196.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.73 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 73221

    Office

    $185.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.42 lower than Delaware for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 73221

    Office

    $204.30

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.20 higher than Delaware for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

73221 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

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.

$181.35

$248.99

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$236.051
AL$184.031
AR$181.351
AZ$199.751
CA$219.60–$278.3729
CO$215.061
CT$218.761
DC$235.921
DE$203.101
FL$199.64–$216.163
GA$188.60–$208.352
GU$225.461
HI$225.461
IA$189.841
ID$190.861
IL$193.03–$211.984
IN$192.001
KS$188.421
KY$187.291
LA$186.79–$196.172
MA$213.55–$237.212
MD$207.17–$235.923
ME$191.31–$202.552
MI$191.72–$201.612
MN$207.551
MO$183.20–$197.503
MS$182.341
MT$205.081
NC$193.411
ND$203.301
NE$191.051
NH$211.181
NJ$221.67–$233.342
NM$192.571
NV$204.741
NY$196.29–$240.345
OH$191.361
OK$187.511
OR$203.56–$222.552
PA$191.96–$212.932
PR$206.771
RI$210.811
SC$192.621
SD$203.091
TN$189.311
TX$190.65–$213.998
UT$195.301
VA$201.51–$235.922
VI$206.771
VT$202.021
WA$213.31–$242.602
WI$196.371
WV$185.681
WY$204.301

Explore 73221 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Delaware is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in Delaware →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 73221 in Delaware. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$223.41

$203.10 × 110% = $223.41

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 73221 in Delaware.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,174

Code
73221
Physician work
1.32
Practice expense
4.73
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office / nonfacility calculation for 73221 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.32× 1.0051.3266
Practice expense4.73× 0.9884.6732
Malpractice0.09× 0.8990.0809
Total RVUs6.0808
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Delaware$203.10

Open 73221 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work1.321.005
Practice expense4.730.988
Malpractice0.090.899

(1.32 × 1.005 + 4.73 × 0.988 + 0.09 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $203.10

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

73221 · Office / nonfacility

$203.10

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.54 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $199.56 to $203.10 (1.8%).

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

    $199.56changed to$203.10

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.32
    • Practice expense RVU 4.76 changed to 4.73
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $199.56

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$203.10Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$203.10Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$203.10Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$203.10Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$199.56Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$199.56Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$199.56Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$199.56Not available in this settingRVU25A

73221 billing questions

How does this differ from MRI of the upper extremity?

Use this code when imaging is directed at an upper-extremity joint, such as the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. Code 73218 describes MRI of an upper-extremity area rather than a joint.

When should contrast MRI codes be used instead?

Use 73222 when contrast is used, or 73223 when the study is performed both without and with contrast. This code is for a study performed without contrast.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion; billing without either modifier represents the global service.

How is bilateral joint imaging reported?

Report each side distinctly when both upper-extremity joints are imaged. CMS pays each side separately at 100%.

What happens when multiple imaging procedures are performed?

CMS's diagnostic imaging multiple procedure reduction applies to both the technical and professional components. The reduction can therefore affect either a global claim or separately billed 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 indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 73221PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,174 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet