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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Upper ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73040-shoulder-arthrogram-imaging-interpretation
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    CPT 73040: Shoulder Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    Medicare pays $94 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73040 describes imaging supervision and interpretation for a shoulder arthrography procedure in which contrast material and/or air is injected into the shoulder joint and a series of X-rays are obtained to evaluate joint structures for conditions such as arthritis, adhesive capsulitis, cartilage abnormalities, or rotator cuff/glenoid labrum tears; service type: fluoroscopic/diagnostic arthrography supervision and interpretation; typical site of service: hospital radiology department or freestanding imaging center (outpatient) where shoulder contrast arthrography is performed.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents with chronic anterior shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and progressive stiffness despite conservative management. Physical exam suggests possible adhesive capsulitis or a suspected labral or rotator cuff tear. The orthopedic surgeon orders a shoulder arthrogram to evaluate intra-articular structures. In the radiology suite, the patient is positioned on an X-ray table. Under sterile technique, the radiologist or qualified proceduralist injects iodinated contrast (and/or air) into the glenohumeral joint using fluoroscopic guidance. A series of dedicated radiographic views are obtained as contrast outlines the joint capsule, labrum, articular cartilage, and capsule-labral junction. The interpreting physician performs imaging supervision and interpretation of the arthrogram images, documents findings such as contrast extravasation, capsular contracture, labral tears, or cartilage defects, and issues a formal report. Billing for imaging supervision and interpretation only is reported with 73040 when the provider performs the interpretation and supervision portion but does not bill for the technical component (imaging equipment, technologist) separately or when the technical component is billed by another entity.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73030Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum of 2 or 3 viewsOften obtained before or after the arthrogram for baseline anatomic assessment and comparison.
    73050Stress radiographs, shoulderMay be performed in conjunction for instability assessment when indicated.
    73040Injection procedure; shoulder arthrogram — imaging supervision and interpretationPrimary code for physician supervision and interpretation of the shoulder arthrogram.
    73020Radiologic examination, shoulder; single viewMay be used when only a single radiographic view is necessary in the workup surrounding an arthrogram.
    73095Radiology guidance for needle placement (fluoroscopic)Used when fluoroscopic guidance for intra-articular injection is performed and billed as a separate guidance service when appropriate.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207PP0204X
    246YR1600X
    261QS1000X
    282J00000X
    273R00000X
    163WR0006X
    332H00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    14 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M13.111Monoarthritis, not elsewhere classified, right shoulder
    M13.112Monoarthritis, not elsewhere classified, left shoulder
    M19.011Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
    M19.012Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
    M25.511Pain in right shoulder
    M25.512Pain in left shoulder
    M62.81Muscle weakness (generalized)
    M75.20Bicipital tendinitis, unspecified shoulder
    M75.21Bicipital tendinitis, right shoulder
    M79.641Pain in right hand

    Showing 1–10 of 14

    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-73020-SINGLE-VIEW-SHOULDER-XRAY

    CPT 73020: Single-View Shoulder X-Ray

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

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

    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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