Summary & Overview
CPT 73120: Hand X‑ray, Two Views
CPT code 73120 denotes a two-view radiographic examination of the hand, a common diagnostic service used to assess fractures, dislocations, degenerative disease, bone lesions, and congenital anomalies. As a frequently utilized extremity X-ray, it plays a central role in acute injury evaluation in emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, and imaging centers nationwide. The code is relevant to hospital outpatient radiology, ambulatory imaging facilities, and physician practices that order or perform diagnostic imaging.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations tied to imaging of the hand. The publication summarizes national benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement structures, notes recent policy updates affecting radiology billing where applicable, and outlines coding relationships important for claim adjudication. The content is intended to help coding managers, practice administrators, and revenue cycle professionals understand where CPT code 73120 fits within imaging workflows, payer coverage patterns, and documentation expectations. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73120 represents radiographic imaging of the hand with two views. This procedure is performed to evaluate injury, fracture, arthritis, bone spurs, tumors, or congenital abnormalities affecting the hand. Imaging focuses on the affected region and may include comparison views of the contralateral site when clinically indicated.
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Service type: Diagnostic radiology — extremity X-ray, 2 views of the hand
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology suite, hospital radiology department, urgent care, or ambulatory imaging center
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, or related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old patient presents to the outpatient orthopedic clinic after sustaining a fall onto an outstretched hand during recreational sports. The patient reports localized pain, swelling, and limited range of motion of the dominant right hand. Physical exam demonstrates focal tenderness over the metacarpals and pain with axial loading of the thumb. The clinician orders two-view radiographs of the hand to evaluate for acute fracture, dislocation, or bony abnormality.
Imaging workflow: The patient is escorted to the radiology suite at the ambulatory imaging center attached to the orthopedic clinic. Radiologic technologists obtain two standard views (typically posteroanterior and oblique or lateral depending on the hand region) using facility radiography equipment. Images are reviewed for adequacy and then interpreted by a board-certified radiologist or by the treating orthopedic clinician if permitted by facility policy. Results are communicated to the patient and documented in the medical record. If fracture is identified, further imaging, immobilization, or referral is arranged per clinical pathway.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
RT | Right side | When imaging is of the right hand |
LT |