CPT 73090: Two-View Forearm X‑Ray
CPT code 73090 covers a two‑view plain radiograph of the forearm performed to evaluate fractures, swelling, or focal forearm pain. Nationally, forearm radiography is a common diagnostic service used across emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient imaging facilities to establish or rule out acute bony injury and guide immediate clinical decisions.
This publication discusses coverage and payment context for common national payers and Medicare. Key payers referenced include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical framing of the service, typical sites of care, common billing modifiers, and which payer types commonly reimburse or manage this procedure.
The report provides benchmarking content and policy notes relevant to billing and claims processing for this diagnostic radiology service, plus operational considerations for coding the service line in episodic care encounters. Data not provided in the input are noted as unavailable where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73090 describes a radiographic procedure consisting of two X‑ray views of the forearm. The service is performed to evaluate fracture, swelling, or localized pain in the forearm region and produces diagnostic images for clinical assessment.
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Service type: Diagnostic radiology, plain film X‑ray of the forearm
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Typical site of service: Emergency department, urgent care, outpatient radiology clinic, or hospital radiology department
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after falling on an outstretched hand during a recreational soccer match. The patient reports acute forearm pain, visible swelling over the distal radius/ulna region, and limited range of motion. The emergency physician performs a focused history and physical exam, documents localized tenderness and possible deformity, and orders forearm radiographs. The radiology technologist obtains two X‑ray views of the forearm using standard positioning (usually AP and lateral). Images are reviewed by the interpreting radiologist or ED physician to evaluate for fractures, dislocations, or other osseous injury. Final radiology report documents findings, impression, and any recommended follow-up (orthopedics referral or repeat imaging). Typical site of service is the emergency department, urgent care clinic, or outpatient radiology department for acute traumatic evaluation or follow-up imaging.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the interpreting physician's service separate from technical component |
TC | Technical component | When billing only the technical component (equipment and technologist) |
59 | Distinct procedural service | When a separately identifiable radiographic procedure is performed on the same day unrelated to other services |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | When the radiographic study is repeated by the same provider on the same day |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | When the study is repeated by a different provider on the same day |
LT | Left side | To indicate imaging performed on the left forearm |
RT | Right side | To indicate imaging performed on the right forearm |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by same physician following initial procedure for a complication | Rarely used for diagnostic radiographs but applicable if related return occurred during same encounter |
52 | Reduced services | When the full service is not performed or is partially reduced |
53 | Discontinued procedure | When the imaging procedure is started but discontinued due to patient condition |
25 | Significant, separately identifiable E/M service | When a separate E/M encounter is documented on the same day as the radiograph |
90 | Reference (outside) laboratory | Included in the list but generally not applicable to radiography; reserved for documentation completeness |
91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test | Not typically applicable to radiographs; retained for broad billing contexts |
59 | Distinct procedural service | (Note: 59 appears above; use per payer guidance to indicate distinct imaging when appropriate) |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
207RC0000X | Radiology (Diagnostic Radiology) | Primary specialty interpreting and overseeing forearm radiographs |
207K00000X | Orthopedic Surgery | Frequently orders and follows forearm imaging for fractures and management |
2080P0207X | Emergency Medicine | Common ordering clinicians in acute traumatic presentations |
261QP2900X | Family Medicine | May order and interpret radiographs in urgent care or outpatient settings |
207L00000X | Diagnostic Radiology — Vascular/Interventional (general radiology taxonomy) | Included for practices where radiology groups perform imaging services |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
S52.5X0A | Fracture of lower end of radius, unspecified, initial encounter for closed fracture | Common diagnosis evaluated by forearm radiographs when distal radius involvement is suspected |
S52.3X0A | Fracture of shaft of radius, unspecified, initial encounter for closed fracture | Forearm X-rays identify mid‑shaft radial fractures requiring splinting or orthopedic referral |
S52.4X0A | Fracture of shaft of ulna, unspecified, initial encounter for closed fracture | Ulna shaft fractures are diagnosed and characterized with forearm radiographs |
S52.6X0A | Fracture of lower end of both radius and ulna, unspecified, initial encounter for closed fracture | Combined fractures are assessed with two‑view forearm series to plan management |
S62.90XA | Unspecified fracture of wrist and hand, initial encounter for closed fracture | Wrist injuries often prompt forearm imaging to exclude associated forearm fractures |
S50.811A | Contusion of right forearm, initial encounter | Radiographs may be ordered to exclude occult fracture when significant swelling or focal tenderness is present |
S50.812A | Contusion of left forearm, initial encounter | Same clinical relevance for the left side |
M25.50 | Pain in unspecified joint of upper limb | Non‑traumatic forearm pain prompting imaging to evaluate for occult osseous pathology |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
73090 | Radiologic examination, forearm; 2 views | Primary procedure: two-view forearm radiographs to evaluate for fracture or injury |
73110 | Radiologic examination, radius and ulna; 2 views | Alternative focused study when imaging specifically targets radius and ulna rather than entire forearm |
73080 | Radiologic examination, wrist; 2 views | Performed when wrist injury is suspected in conjunction with forearm trauma |
73000 | Radiologic examination, shoulder; minimum 1 view | Used when shoulder involvement is suspected from mechanism of injury or referred pain |
73030 | Radiologic examination, humerus; 2 views | Performed when the injury mechanism or exam suggests proximal forearm or humeral involvement |
76000 | Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (imaging supervision and interpretation) | May be used in follow-up interventional procedures, casting under imaging, or reduction when live imaging is required |