Summary & Overview

CPT 73115: Wrist Arthrogram Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

CPT code 73115 represents imaging supervision and interpretation for a wrist arthrogram, a diagnostic procedure in which contrast material or air is injected into the wrist joint and a series of X‑rays are taken to evaluate joint structures. This code is used to report only the professional component of the arthrogram study — the supervision of contrast injection and the interpretation of images — and is relevant for diagnosing arthritis, joint adhesions, cartilage tears, and other intra‑articular abnormalities. Nationally, wrist arthrography remains an important targeted imaging tool when MRI is contraindicated or when detailed capsular and cartilage assessment is needed.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the procedure, the expected service setting, typical use cases, and the payer landscape. The publication provides benchmarks and billing considerations related to reporting the imaging supervision and interpretation component, plus policy and coverage context that may affect utilization and reimbursement. The summary is intended for billing managers, radiology clinicians, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on coding and clinical use of CPT code 73115.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 73115wrist arthrogramradiologydiagnostic imagingarthrographyimaging supervisioninterpretationmusculoskeletal imagingoutpatient radiology

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 73115 describes imaging supervision and interpretation for a wrist joint study in which contrast material or air is injected into the wrist joint and a series of X‑rays are obtained to evaluate joint structures. The procedure assesses conditions such as arthritis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen joint), cartilage tears, and other joint abnormalities.

Service type: Diagnostic imaging supervision and interpretation for a wrist arthrogram
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology suite, hospital outpatient department, or ambulatory surgery center

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 56-year-old patient with chronic wrist pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion presents to orthopedics after conservative treatment failed. The clinician suspects intra-articular pathology such as degenerative arthritis, a partial cartilage tear, ligamentous disruption, or adhesive capsulitis of the wrist. Under fluoroscopic guidance in an outpatient radiology or ambulatory surgery setting, the procedural team performs an arthrography of the wrist: the physician injects iodinated contrast into the radiocarpal joint and obtains a series of X-ray images while manipulating the wrist to evaluate joint space, cartilage integrity, and ligament outline. Imaging supervision and interpretation are documented by the interpreting physician; this encounter represents only the professional component for the wrist arthrography study and is reported with 73115 to reflect supervision and interpretation of the injected wrist joint arthrogram.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician interpretation/supervision for `73115` separate from technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing the facility/technical portion; however `73115` typically represents the professional component so `TC` is rarely appended to `73115` unless local billing practices require it.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another unrelated procedure is performed on the same day and documentation supports distinct service from the arthrogram.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the arthrography is partially performed or limited compared with full procedure.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure was started but discontinued for patient safety or other valid reason.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when both wrists are imaged and a payer requires a bilateral modifier for technical or global reporting (confirm payer-specific rules).
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the procedure pertains to the right wrist when laterality is required.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the procedure pertains to the left wrist when laterality is required.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the interpretation or supervision required substantially greater work than typical; documentation must support.
`26`	Professional component	(Note: already listed above; duplicate avoidance is recommended in billing systems.)
`73`	Discontinued outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery prior to anesthesia	Use when arthrography in an ASC is discontinued before constant anesthesia but billed as appropriate.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR/procedure following initial procedure on same day	Use when an unplanned repeat arthrogram or imaging-guided intervention occurs during same operative session.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when co-surgeons with distinct specialties both participate in a complex image-guided procedure (rare for arthrogram interpretation alone).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Radiology	Interpreting physicians performing fluoroscopic arthrography and image-guided injections.
2085P0203X	Orthopaedic Surgery	Orthopedists frequently order and may perform joint arthrography and related injections.
207K00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Practitioners specializing in diagnostic imaging who interpret musculoskeletal arthrograms.
207L00000X	Interventional Radiology	Interventional radiologists who perform image-guided joint injections and advanced arthrograms.
363LF0000X	Sports Medicine	Sports medicine specialists who may perform or interpret wrist arthrography in athletic injuries.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M19.90`	Osteoarthritis, unspecified site, unspecified	Degenerative changes causing wrist pain and joint space narrowing evaluated by arthrography.
`M25.531`	Pain in right wrist	Common presenting symptom prompting diagnostic arthrography of the wrist.
`M25.532`	Pain in left wrist	Common presenting symptom prompting diagnostic arthrography of the wrist.
`S63.501A`	Unspecified sprain of right wrist, initial encounter	Suspected ligamentous injury that arthrography can help delineate.
`S63.502A`	Unspecified sprain of left wrist, initial encounter	Suspected ligamentous injury that arthrography can help delineate.
`M75.0`	Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder (included if adhesive joint process suspected in differential)	While primarily a shoulder code, adhesive capsulitis conceptually parallels wrist capsular contracture; retained here only when clinician documents adhesive capsulitis of wrist or similar capsular pathology (confirm exact wrist-specific code when used).
`M24.211`	Other recurrent dislocation, right shoulder (included only when instability noted)	Not commonly used for wrist; include only if documentation supports recurrent instability of wrist joint—otherwise omit.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20526`	Injection, therapeutic substance, carpal tunnel; single or multiple injections	May be performed before or after arthrography when therapeutic injection for carpal tunnel or wrist pain is indicated; distinct service from diagnostic arthrogram.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., joint injection)	Used when ultrasound guidance rather than fluoroscopy is used to place the needle for wrist injection; may be billed in conjunction with arthrography when applicable.
`73030`	Radiologic examination, wrist; complete, minimum of four views	Often performed as initial plain radiographs before proceeding to arthrography to evaluate bony anatomy.
`73010`	Radiologic examination, forearm; 2 views	May be performed to assess adjacent osseous structures as part of the workup for wrist pathology.
`76000`	Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (imaging supervision and interpretation)	Represents fluoroscopic guidance services that can be used alongside arthrography procedures to document real-time imaging supervision.
`73000`	Radiologic examination, finger(s), two views	Occasionally performed if concomitant finger pathology is suspected during wrist evaluation.