Billing code 70330: TMJ X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs in Washington
Bilateral temporomandibular joint radiographs assess jaw-joint motion and bony alignment, typically for pain, clicking, restricted movement, or suspected structural abnormality.
Medicare pays $55.77–$63.94 for 70330 in the office in Washington, from Rest Of Washington to Seattle (King Cnty). 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 70330 covers
70330 covers plain-film imaging of both temporomandibular joints (TMJs) with the jaw positioned open and closed, allowing comparison of joint movement and bony relationships. It is commonly ordered for persistent preauricular jaw pain, clicking, or limited opening when a clinician needs radiographic assessment of the joints. Dental practices, oral and maxillofacial clinics, and hospital or freestanding imaging departments may obtain the study; a radiologist or other qualified interpreting practitioner reviews the images and reports the findings.
Report 70330 for the bilateral open- and closed-mouth TMJ examination, rather than coding each side as a separate unilateral study. The order and report should identify the symptoms or suspected joint problem, document that both joints and the requested mouth positions were imaged, and include an interpretation. CMS treats this as a diagnostic test with separately priced professional and technical components: use modifier 26 for interpretation, TC for equipment and staff, or neither for the global service. CMS pricing already accounts for both sides, so modifier 50 does not increase payment.
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 70330 pays more and less in Washington
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rest Of Washington | $55.77 | Unavailable |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $63.94 | Unavailable |
How the 70330 rate is calculated
Each of 70330’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 · 70330
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 0.23Practice expense 1.35Malpractice 0.02
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 70330
The CMS indicators that decide how 70330 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 70330
TMJ 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) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| 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
70330 without 26 · national office
$53.44
TMJ X-ray
70330-26 · Professional component
$11.36
Pays only the interpretation and report.
70330 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
70330 vs 70328 vs 70332 vs 70336 vs 70355: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 70328Jaw joint X-ray
- 70328 describes unilateral TMJ radiography; 70330 covers both joints with open- and closed-mouth imaging.
- 70332TMJ imaging
- 70332 is for TMJ arthrography with radiologic supervision and interpretation, not the plain-film examination reported with 70330.
- 70336Jaw joint MRI
- 70336 reports MRI of the TMJ. Choose it for an MRI study, not open- and closed-mouth radiographs.
- 70355Panoramic jaw x-ray
- 70355 is a panoramic radiograph of the jaws; 70330 specifically evaluates both TMJ regions in open and closed positions.
70330 billing questions
When should 70330 be selected instead of 70328?
Use 70330 for the bilateral TMJ radiographic examination. Code 70328 describes a unilateral examination.
Does 70330 include imaging both joints?
Yes. It represents a bilateral TMJ examination with the mouth open and closed; it is not reported as separate right- and left-side services.
How are the professional and technical portions billed?
Report modifier 26 for the interpretation and TC for the equipment and staff portion. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
CMS pricing for 70330 already accounts for both sides, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
What documentation supports reporting 70330?
Document the jaw-joint symptoms or suspected problem, imaging of both TMJs in open and closed positions, and the interpreting practitioner's findings.
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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