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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

73080 in El Centro

Office / nonfacility

$35.42

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 73080: Complete elbow radiograph, three or more views

Reports a complete plain-film examination of the elbow with at least three views for suspected fracture, joint injury, pain, or other elbow findings.

This code represents a complete plain-film study of one elbow, using at least three radiographic views. It is commonly ordered after trauma when a fracture or dislocation is suspected, or to assess persistent elbow pain, joint changes, or another localized finding. A radiologic technologist obtains the images in an office, imaging center, or hospital; a physician, commonly a radiologist, interprets them and documents the findings.

Select this study when the order and images support a complete elbow examination with three or more views, rather than the two-view study reported with 73070. Documentation should identify the examined side and support the medical reason for imaging. CMS separately prices the interpretation with modifier 26 and the equipment and staff with modifier TC; reporting the code without either modifier represents the global service. When both elbows are imaged, each side is paid separately at 100%.

CMS billing rules for 73080

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.
Bilateral procedures
Each side is paid separately at 100% when performed bilaterally.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.17 · 17%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU0.80 · 81%
  • Malpractice RVU0.02 · 2%

420.2K

Medicare services in 2024 · #247 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.

73080 compared with similar codes

Office rates for El Centro, from the same CMS release.

73070

Elbow X-ray

Two views

$31.42

73070 is the two-view elbow study. Choose 73080 when the complete examination includes at least three views.

73085

Contrast X-ray

Elbow arthrography

$103.29

73085 is for elbow imaging performed with contrast. Use 73080 for routine plain-film views without contrast.

73090

Forearm X-ray

Forearm, two views

$31.06

73090 examines the forearm rather than the elbow joint. Select by the anatomical region imaged and documented.

The same code, a different location

How does El Centro compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 73080 is $35.48—$0.06 higher than the $35.42 rate in El Centro. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

73080 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. El Centro · This locality

    $35.42

  2. Bakersfield

    $35.48

    $0.06 higher than El Centro

  3. Chico

    $35.42

    The same base rate than El Centro

  4. Fresno

    $35.42

    The same base rate than El Centro

  5. Hanford-Corcoran

    $35.42

    The same base rate than El Centro

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

    $37.97

    $2.55 higher than El Centro

  7. Madera

    $35.42

    The same base rate than El Centro

Other payment areas listed in California 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, 73080 ranges from $28.98 in Arkansas to $45.19 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

  • Merced

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 73080

    Office

    $41.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.17 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 73080

    Office

    $37.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.42 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.22 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 73080

    Office

    $37.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.90 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 73080

    Office

    $37.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.76 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 73080

    Office

    $38.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.75 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 73080

    Office

    $44.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.78 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 73080

    Office

    $44.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $8.76 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 73080

    Office

    $45.19

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.77 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

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

    California · 73080

    Office

    $45.10

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $9.68 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 73080

    Office

    $36.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.15 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 73080

    Office

    $38.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.20 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 73080

    Office

    $37.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.93 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 73080

    Office

    $39.02

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.60 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 73080

    Office

    $41.56

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.14 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 73080

    Office

    $35.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 73080

    Office

    $38.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.79 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 73080

    Office

    $35.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 73080

    Office

    $34.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.31 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 73080

    Office

    $38.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.73 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 73080

    Office

    $37.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.92 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 73080

    Office

    $29.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.98 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 73080

    Office

    $28.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 73080

    Office

    $32.14

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.28 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 73080

    Office

    $34.70

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 73080

    Office

    $35.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.04 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 73080

    Office

    $32.71

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.71 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 73080

    Office

    $33.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.47 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 73080

    Office

    $32.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.19 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 73080

    Office

    $33.65

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.77 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 73080

    Office

    $30.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.11 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 73080

    Office

    $36.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.03 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 73080

    Office

    $30.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 73080

    Office

    $30.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 73080

    Office

    $31.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.81 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 73080

    Office

    $31.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.30 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 73080

    Office

    $34.34

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.08 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 73080

    Office

    $30.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.65 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 73080

    Office

    $30.17

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.25 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 73080

    Office

    $30.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.38 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 73080

    Office

    $31.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 73080

    Office

    $29.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.45 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 73080

    Office

    $38.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.99 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 73080

    Office

    $34.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.98 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 73080

    Office

    $35.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.15 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 73080

    Office

    $33.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 73080

    Office

    $30.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.74 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 73080

    Office

    $32.58

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 73080

    Office

    $32.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.83 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 73080

    Office

    $30.83

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.59 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 73080

    Office

    $33.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.05 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 73080

    Office

    $31.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 73080

    Office

    $31.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.63 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 73080

    Office

    $29.36

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.06 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 73080

    Office

    $29.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $6.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 73080

    Office

    $33.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.35 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 73080

    Office

    $31.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.38 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 73080

    Office

    $32.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.75 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 73080

    Office

    $30.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.83 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 73080

    Office

    $34.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.34 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 73080

    Office

    $37.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.33 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 73080

    Office

    $35.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.40 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 73080

    Office

    $30.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 73080

    Office

    $32.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 73080

    Office

    $39.05

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.63 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 73080

    Office

    $36.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.58 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 73080

    Office

    $38.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.17 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 73080

    Office

    $31.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.89 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 73080

    Office

    $30.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.67 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 73080

    Office

    $30.06

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.36 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 73080

    Office

    $35.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.53 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 73080

    Office

    $32.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.66 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 73080

    Office

    $34.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.03 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 73080

    Office

    $30.84

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.58 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 73080

    Office

    $33.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.07 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 73080

    Office

    $33.98

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.44 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 73080

    Office

    $30.94

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.48 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 73080

    Office

    $32.62

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.80 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 73080

    Office

    $30.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.09 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $34.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.87 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $30.61

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.81 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $32.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.70 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $32.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.50 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $32.66

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.76 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $32.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.61 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $33.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.24 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 73080

    Office

    $31.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.78 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 73080

    Office

    $31.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 73080

    Office

    $32.42

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 73080

    Office

    $33.35

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.07 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 73080

    Office

    $32.47

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.95 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 73080

    Office

    $34.40

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 73080

    Office

    $39.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.87 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 73080

    Office

    $31.48

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $3.94 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 73080

    Office

    $29.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.57 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 73080

    Office

    $32.89

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $2.53 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

73080 · 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.

$28.98

$40.31

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$37.341
AL$29.441
AR$28.981
AZ$32.141
CA$35.42–$45.1929
CO$34.701
CT$35.381
DC$38.211
DE$32.711
FL$32.23–$35.183
GA$30.31–$33.652
GU$36.451
HI$36.451
IA$30.391
ID$30.581
IL$31.12–$34.344
IN$30.771
KS$30.171
KY$30.041
LA$29.97–$31.582
MA$34.44–$38.412
MD$33.39–$38.213
ME$30.68–$32.582
MI$30.83–$32.592
MN$33.371
MO$29.36–$31.793
MS$29.181
MT$33.071
NC$31.041
ND$32.671
NE$30.591
NH$34.081
NJ$35.82–$37.752
NM$30.981
NV$32.981
NY$31.53–$39.055
OH$30.751
OK$30.061
OR$32.76–$35.952
PA$30.84–$34.392
PR$33.351
RI$33.981
SC$30.941
SD$32.621
TN$30.331
TX$30.61–$34.558
UT$31.401
VA$32.42–$38.212
VI$33.351
VT$32.471
WA$34.40–$39.292
WI$31.481
WV$29.851
WY$32.891

Explore 73080 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

El Centro is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California, 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 California →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 73080 in El Centro. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$38.96

$35.42 × 110% = $38.96

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.

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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 73080 in El Centro.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

8,123

Code
73080
Physician work
0.17
Practice expense
0.80
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office / nonfacility calculation for 73080 in El Centro
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.17× 1.0170.1729
Practice expense0.80× 1.0960.8768
Malpractice0.02× 0.5410.0108
Total RVUs1.0605
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, El Centro$35.42

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 73080 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.171.017
Practice expense0.81.096
Malpractice0.020.541

(0.17 × 1.017 + 0.8 × 1.096 + 0.02 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $35.42

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

73080 · Office / nonfacility

$35.42

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.55 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $33.87 to $35.42 (4.6%).

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

    $33.87changed to$35.42

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.80
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $33.87

    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$35.42Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$35.42Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$35.42Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$35.42Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$33.87Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$33.87Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$33.87Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$33.87Not available in this settingRVU25A

73080 billing questions

When should 73080 be selected instead of 73070?

Use 73080 for a complete elbow study with at least three views. Code 73070 is for a two-view elbow examination.

Can the interpretation and imaging be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the code represents the global service.

How is imaging of both elbows reported?

Report the examination for each side separately. CMS pays each side at 100% when performed bilaterally.

What documentation supports 73080?

Document the clinical reason for imaging, the side examined, and the views obtained. The record should support a complete examination with at least three views.

Is a contrast elbow study reported with 73080?

No. Code 73085 describes an elbow examination using contrast; 73080 represents a plain-film study.

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 73080PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 8,123 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El CentroGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet