CPT 73060: Humerus X‑ray, Minimum Two Views
CPT code 73060 denotes a diagnostic X-ray of the humerus with a minimum of two views used to evaluate trauma, degenerative disease, neoplasm, or congenital abnormalities. As a commonly billed imaging service for upper-extremity complaints, it matters nationally for emergency care pathways, outpatient musculoskeletal assessment, and imaging utilization trends.
Key payers in the national context include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical indications, typical service settings (emergency departments, urgent care, outpatient radiology, and physician offices), and the basic structure of the procedure. The publication summarizes benchmarking and coverage patterns, highlights relevant policy updates affecting imaging utilization and prior authorization practices where applicable, and places the code in clinical context for common diagnostic scenarios.
The report aims to inform billing, coding, and utilization management teams about what CPT code 73060 represents, common sites of service, payer considerations, and the practical implications for workflows and documentation. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies and ICD-10 diagnoses.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73060 describes radiographic imaging of the humerus with a minimum of two views. This procedure is performed to assess injury, fracture, arthritis, bone spurs, tumors, or congenital abnormalities affecting the humerus. The service focuses on the specific area of concern and may include comparison images of the contralateral site when clinically indicated.
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Service type: Diagnostic radiology — extremity X-ray
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology departments, emergency departments, urgent care centers, and physician offices equipped for diagnostic X-ray
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies and ICD-10 diagnoses.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old patient presents to an urgent care clinic after a fall onto the outstretched arm with localized pain, swelling, and limited range of motion in the upper arm. The clinician performs a focused history and physical exam, documents point tenderness over the mid-humerus and decreased ability to lift the arm. To evaluate for fracture, dislocation, or other bony injury, the clinician orders plain radiographs of the humerus. Radiology staff obtain a minimum of two orthogonal views (typically AP and lateral) of the affected humerus using 73060. Images are reviewed by the interpreting provider (radiologist or qualified physician), findings documented in the radiology report, and images are made available in the electronic medical record. If fracture is identified, the treating clinician uses imaging to guide splinting, orthopedic referral, or further advanced imaging as indicated. If no acute osseous abnormality is seen, radiographs may be used to assess for alternative diagnoses such as bone lesion, degenerative change, or prior healed fracture.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
RT | Right side | Use when the right humerus is imaged to indicate laterality |
LT | Left side | Use when the left humerus is imaged to indicate laterality |
TC | Technical component | Use when billing only for the technical component (radiology facility/supply/tech) |
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only for the professional interpretation/report by the physician |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when a separate, distinct service or procedure (not typically bundled) is performed on the same day and anatomically distinct from the humerus radiograph |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use when the radiograph is repeated by the same provider due to technical failure or patient motion |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use when a repeat radiograph is performed under the direction of a different provider |
52 | Reduced services | Use when fewer views or limited study are performed than described by the CPT code documentation |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the exam is started but discontinued for medical reasons (e.g., patient intolerance) |
91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test | Rarely used for imaging; not typically applicable but listed in the dataset — reserved for repeat lab tests |
AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist service | Use when the service is performed by an eligible nonphysician practitioner per payer rules |
QX | Ordering/certifying physician and clinical staff relationship - modifier for lab; limited radiology use | Use per payer-specific rules when applicable for supervision/ordering relationships |
XE | Separate encounter, a distinct encounter | Use when the same provider performs the same CPT code in a separate encounter distinct from previous service |
XU | Unusual non-overlapping service | Use when documentation supports that the service is distinct and not ordinarily reported together |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2080P0207X | Radiology | Diagnostic imaging and interpretation of extremity radiographs |
| 207L00000X | Emergency Medicine | Frequently orders and initially interprets humerus radiographs in acute injury settings |
| 207K00000X | Orthopedic Surgery | Uses humerus radiographs for fracture diagnosis and management |
| 206Z00000X | Family Medicine | Orders and reviews extremity radiographs in outpatient primary care or urgent care settings |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
S42.301A | Unspecified fracture of shaft of right humerus, initial encounter for closed fracture | Common acute diagnosis prompting humerus radiographs after trauma |
S42.302A | Unspecified fracture of shaft of left humerus, initial encounter for closed fracture | Left-sided counterpart prompting imaging |
M25.511 | Pain in right shoulder | Shoulder/humerus pain often evaluated with humerus radiographs when pain localizes to the upper arm region |
M25.512 | Pain in left shoulder | Left-sided shoulder pain warranting imaging of adjacent humerus |
M13.9 | Arthropathy, unspecified | Degenerative or inflammatory joint disease suspected to involve periarticular humerus changes visualized on X-ray |
C79.51 | Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone | Radiographs can detect lytic or blastic lesions in humerus suggesting metastatic disease |
M80.00XA | Age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, unspecified site, initial encounter for fracture | Osteoporotic fracture of humerus identified on radiographs in older adults |
S42.201A | Fracture of greater tuberosity of right humerus, initial encounter for closed fracture | Specific proximal humerus fracture subtype commonly assessed with targeted humerus views |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
73030 | Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum of 2 views | Performed when shoulder involvement or proximal humerus/shoulder joint evaluation is required in addition to humerus imaging |
73070 | Radiologic examination, elbow; minimum of 2 views | Performed when elbow is symptomatic or to image distal humerus and elbow joint in the same encounter |
73080 | Radiologic examination, forearm; minimum of 2 views | Performed when forearm involvement is suspected or to image contiguous anatomy in trauma evaluation |
72190 | Radiologic examination, pelvis; complete, minimum of 2 views | May be performed in polytrauma or when pelvic assessment is needed along with extremity imaging (workflow adjunct) |
73200 | Radiologic examination, humerus and shoulder; minimum of 2 views | Used when imaging includes both the humerus and shoulder girdle in a single comprehensive study |