Summary & Overview
CPT 73092: Infant Upper Extremity Radiography
CPT code 73092 denotes a diagnostic radiography procedure consisting of at least two X‑ray views of an infant’s upper extremity to assess congenital anomalies or other disease conditions. This code captures a common pediatric imaging service used in emergency departments, outpatient radiology suites, pediatric clinics, and inpatient settings when a focused evaluation of the arm, wrist, or hand is required. Nationally, pediatric radiography codes like this are important for standardized billing, utilization tracking, and ensuring consistent clinical documentation for infant musculoskeletal evaluations. Key payers in the national landscape include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for use of the code, expected sites of service, common payer coverage considerations, and benchmarking metrics where available. The publication also summarizes coding guidance, typical clinical indications, and how this service fits into broader pediatric diagnostic workflows. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73092 describes an infant upper extremity radiographic exam in which the provider obtains at least two X‑ray images of an infant’s upper extremity to evaluate for congenital anomalies or other disease conditions. The procedure is a diagnostic imaging service focused on the bones and joints of the infant arm, wrist, or hand.
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Service type: Diagnostic radiography of an infant upper extremity
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology departments, hospital radiology suites, pediatric imaging centers, or clinic-based X‑ray rooms
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A newborn male infant is evaluated in the neonatal unit for a suspected congenital upper extremity anomaly after an abnormal prenatal ultrasound suggested forearm shortening. The pediatrician orders a radiographic series of the affected upper extremity to characterize bone development, assess for fractures, and detect congenital malformations such as radial ray deficiency. The exam is performed in the hospital radiology department or pediatric radiology clinic. A certified radiologic technologist obtains at least two views (commonly anteroposterior and lateral) of the affected upper extremity while a pediatric nurse or parent comforts and stabilizes the infant. The interpreting pediatric radiologist documents findings and issues a report describing bone alignment, ossification centers, and any acute or chronic abnormality. Images and report are made available in the electronic medical record for the pediatrician and any consulting orthopedic or genetic specialists.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the interpreting physician service separate from technical component |
TC | Technical component | When billing only equipment, technical staff, and image acquisition |