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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Upper ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73020-single-view-shoulder-xray
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    CPT 73020: Single-View Shoulder X-Ray

    Medicare pays $15 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73020 reports a single-view radiographic examination of the shoulder, a plain X-ray service used to evaluate shoulder pain, injury, or suspected fracture; the service type is a diagnostic radiology single-view study and the typical site of service is an outpatient radiology suite or hospital imaging department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policy, Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical Guideline, Non-Emergent Ambulance Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old construction worker presents to an outpatient radiology clinic and reports acute right shoulder pain after a fall onto the outstretched hand. The clinician documents focal lateral shoulder tenderness, limited active range of motion, and concern for possible fracture or dislocation. Orders include a single-view radiograph of the right shoulder to evaluate bone alignment, suspected clavicle or proximal humerus fracture, and to screen for dislocation. The radiology technologist performs one AP (internal/external rotation as appropriate) single view shoulder X-ray, documents laterality with modifier RT, acquires the image in the outpatient imaging suite, and forwards the exam to the interpreting radiologist. The radiologist provides an official report describing fracture presence/absence, alignment, and any acute osseous abnormality. Typical site of service: outpatient radiology department or ambulatory imaging center. Service type: diagnostic plain radiography (single view).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73030Shoulder; minimum of two viewsPerformed when additional views (two or more) are required to fully evaluate suspected fracture or dislocation following a single view.
    73040Shoulder; complete, minimum of three viewsUsed when a comprehensive shoulder series is indicated for detailed assessment of complex trauma or preoperative planning.
    73060Shoulder; two or three views, each with special techniques (e.g., scapular Y)Applied when specialized projections are necessary to assess alignment or glenoid involvement.
    72040Radiologic examination, scapula; complete, minimum of two viewsPerformed when scapular injury is suspected in addition to shoulder evaluation.
    73090Radiologic examination, clavicle; minimum of two viewsPerformed when clavicle fracture is suspected along with shoulder trauma; may be ordered after or alongside the shoulder single view.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207R00000X
    133VN1501X
    246ZB0301X
    261QR0401X
    261QC1800X
    163WE0003X
    385H00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-73000-CLAVICLE-XRAY-COMPLETE-STUDY

    CPT 73000: Clavicle X‑ray, Complete Study

    CPT-73010-SCAPULA-XRAY-COMPLETE-STUDY

    CPT 73010: Complete Scapula X‑ray Study

    CPT-73030-SHOULDER-XRAY-COMPLETE-MINIMUM-2-VIEWS

    CPT 73030: Complete Shoulder X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

    CPT-73040-SHOULDER-ARTHROGRAM-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 73040: Shoulder Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    CPT-73050-ACROMIOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-XRAY-BILATERAL

    CPT 73050: Bilateral Acromioclavicular Joint X‑Ray, Stress and Nonstress Views

    CPT-73060-HUMERUS-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 73060: Humerus X‑ray, Minimum 2 Views

    CPT-73070-ELBOW-XRAY-2-VIEWS

    CPT 73070: Elbow X‑ray, Minimum 2 Views

    CPT-73080-ELBOW-XRAY-3-VIEWS-EXTREMITY-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 73080: X‑ray Elbow, Minimum 3 Views

    CPT-73085-ELBOW-ARTHROGRAPHY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 73085: Elbow Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    CPT-73090-FOREARM-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 73090: Forearm X‑ray, Two Views

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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