Summary & Overview

CPT 73000: Complete Clavicle X‑ray Study

CPT code 73000 denotes a complete X-ray study of the clavicle used to evaluate fractures, injury, and other structural conditions of the collarbone. As a commonly billed diagnostic radiology service, it matters nationally because clavicle injury evaluation is frequent in emergency and outpatient settings and influences downstream imaging, treatment decisions, and resource use.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical indications for the code, typical sites of service, and the common billing context for clavicle radiographs. The report summarizes national-level benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement where available, highlights recent policy or coverage updates that affect radiology billing, and situates 73000 within the broader diagnostic imaging workflow.

The publication provides practical reference material for revenue cycle, coding, and clinical teams: a clear description of the service represented by 73000, payer coverage considerations, common modifier contexts (listed separately), and guidance on coding practice implications. Data not available in the input is noted explicitly.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare73000CPTradiologyclaviclex-raydiagnostic-imagingemergency-medicineoutpatient-imaging

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 73000 describes a complete radiographic study of the clavicle (collarbone). The procedure is performed to assess fractures, dislocations, degenerative conditions (such as arthritis), bone spurs, tumors, or congenital abnormalities affecting the clavicle.

Service Type: Diagnostic radiology — plain film (X-ray) study of the clavicle

Typical Site of Service: Hospital radiology department, outpatient imaging center, or emergency department

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 28-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a bicycle fall onto the right shoulder with localized pain, swelling, and visible deformity. Emergency clinicians order a complete clavicle X-ray study to evaluate for fracture, displacement, or associated acromioclavicular joint injury. Radiology technologists obtain two orthogonal views (typically anteroposterior and 15–30° cephalad or AP with clavicle series) of the right clavicle. The radiologist interprets images, documents presence or absence of fracture, degree of displacement, comminution, and any associated soft-tissue findings, and issues a report to the treating clinician for disposition and management (sling, ortho referral, or operative planning). Typical site of service is Emergency Department or Radiology Department within an outpatient imaging center or hospital ambulatory setting. The service type is a diagnostic radiographic study for evaluation of acute traumatic injury or nontraumatic conditions such as arthritis, bone lesions, or congenital variants.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the interpreting physician service separate from technical imaging.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the equipment/technical portion (technologist and facility).
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when the clavicle X-ray is a separate and distinct service from other imaging performed the same day.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician/technologist	Use when the clavicle study is repeated by the same group on the same day for technical reasons.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician/technologist	Use when repeated by a different provider for technical reasons.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when images obtainable were limited (e.g., patient unable to cooperate) and full protocol could not be completed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the study was started but discontinued for patient safety or tolerance.
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service	Use when an evaluation leading to imaging required a separate E/M on the same day (note: `25` is not listed in input modifiers; Data not available in the input.)
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate right-sided imaging when laterality is reportable.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate left-sided imaging when laterality is reportable.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical (document medical necessity).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when study is partially performed; ensure documentation supports reduction.
`57`	Decision for surgery	Use when preoperative imaging is related to decision for surgical management (note: `57` is not provided in input; Data not available in the input.)

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Radiology	Diagnostic imaging interpretation and reporting of radiographs.
207P00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Radiologists who perform interpretation and procedural oversight.
208000000X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians often request and interpret preliminary imaging for acute shoulder/clavicle trauma.
207L00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedists use clavicle radiographs for fracture management and surgical planning.
261QU0200X	Family Medicine	Primary care and urgent care clinicians order clavicle radiographs for acute injuries.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S42.01`	Fracture of right clavicle	Primary trauma diagnosis prompting clavicle radiographs to confirm fracture and evaluate displacement.
`S42.02`	Fracture of left clavicle	Left-sided correlate for targeted imaging and management.
`S43.00`	Unspecified dislocation of shoulder joint	Radiographs help evaluate joint alignment and concomitant clavicular or acromioclavicular injuries.
`M25.511`	Pain in right shoulder	Non-specific symptom that may prompt imaging to rule out clavicle fracture or degenerative disease.
`M19.011`	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder	Chronic conditions that may be evaluated with clavicle radiographs for degenerative changes or bone spurs.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73030`	Radiologic examination, clavicle; complete, unilateral, minimum of two views	Alternative specific clavicle radiograph code occasionally used; similar scope to `73000` depending on payer definitions.
`70100`	Radiologic examination, skull; complete, 4 or more views	Not directly related but may be ordered in multisystem trauma where head imaging is needed alongside clavicle radiographs.
`73090`	Radiologic examination; single view, clavicle	Used when only a single view is performed rather than the complete study represented by `73000`.
`73010`	Radiologic examination, clavicle; unilateral, two or three views	Related as a more limited clavicle series that may be chosen instead of a complete study in select clinical circumstances.
`72100`	Radiologic examination, pelvis; 1 view portable or AP	May be performed in multi-trauma evaluation in conjunction with clavicle imaging when mechanism suggests additional injuries.