Billing code 73080: Elbow X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports a complete plain-film examination of the elbow with at least three views for suspected fracture, joint injury, pain, or other elbow findings.
Medicare pays $31.12–$34.34 for 73080 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Suburban Chicago. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 9 sections
What 73080 covers
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%.
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 73080 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$31.12 to $34.34
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $34.11 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $31.61 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $31.12 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $34.34 | Unavailable |
How the 73080 rate is calculated
Each of 73080’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 · 73080
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.17
0.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.80
0.80 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$33.07
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 73080
The CMS indicators that decide how 73080 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 73080
Elbow X-ray
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 3 | Each side paid at 100% (no 150% cap). |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
73080 without 26 · national office
$33.07
Elbow X-ray
73080-26 · Professional component
$8.35
Pays only the interpretation and report.
73080 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 73070Elbow X-ray
- 73070 is the two-view elbow study. Choose 73080 when the complete examination includes at least three views.
- 73085Contrast X-ray
- 73085 is for elbow imaging performed with contrast. Use 73080 for routine plain-film views without contrast.
- 73090Forearm X-ray
- 73090 examines the forearm rather than the elbow joint. Select by the anatomical region imaged and documented.
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 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
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