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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Upper ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73120-hand-x-ray-2-views
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    CPT 73120: Hand X‑ray, 2 Views

    Medicare pays $22 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73120 describes radiographic imaging consisting of 2 views of the hand, performed to evaluate injury, fracture, arthritis, bone spurs, tumors, or congenital abnormalities; service type: diagnostic extremity radiography; typical site of service: outpatient radiology department, urgent care, emergency department, or physician office imaging suite where X‑rays of the hand are obtained for focused assessment and comparison views as needed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Transport, Air Ambulance, Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only).

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    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.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73110Radiologic examination, hand and wrist; complete, minimum of 3 viewsPerformed when more comprehensive imaging of the hand and wrist is required beyond a 2-view study
    73130Radiologic examination, forearm; 2 viewsOrdered when clinical concern extends proximally to the forearm in the setting of suspected injury
    73090Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum of 2 or more viewsMay be performed if mechanism suggests more proximal upper-extremity injury or associated shoulder trauma
    99020Services requiring use of medical resources to collect specimens, perform tests, or other administrative services (facility/group) — NOTE: limited use in some settingsOccasionally used for ancillary services related to imaging workflow when billable by facility per payer rules
    74177CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast (example of higher-level imaging)Advanced imaging (CT/MRI) codes are cited here as potential follow-up when radiographs are inconclusive and cross-sectional imaging is indicated

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    261Q00000XClinic/CenterA facility or distinct part of one used for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients. "Clinic/Center" is irregularly defined, sometimes being limite…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    111N00000XChiropractorA provider qualified by a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), licensed by the State and who practices chiropractic medicine -that discipline within the hea…
    332B00000XDurable Medical Equipment & Medical SuppliesA supplier of medical equipment such as respirators, wheelchairs, home dialysis systems, or monitoring systems, that are prescribed by a physician for…
    286500000XMilitary HospitalA health care facility operated by the Department of Defense.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M19.041Primary osteoarthritis, right hand
    M20.10Hallux valgus (acquired), unspecified foot
    M25.539Pain in unspecified wrist
    M65.321Trigger finger, right index finger
    M65.322Trigger finger, left index finger
    M70.22Olecranon bursitis, left elbow
    M77.11Lateral epicondylitis, right elbow
    M77.12Lateral epicondylitis, left elbow
    M79.641Pain in right hand
    M79.642Pain in left hand

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Ambulance TransportProvidence Health Plan2026-07-01
    Air ambulance transport coverage criteriaeocco2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-73000-CLAVICLE-XRAY-COMPLETE-STUDY

    CPT 73000: Clavicle X‑ray, Complete Study

    CPT-73010-SCAPULA-XRAY-COMPLETE-STUDY

    CPT 73010: Complete Scapula X‑ray Study

    CPT-73020-SINGLE-VIEW-SHOULDER-XRAY

    CPT 73020: Single-View Shoulder X-Ray

    CPT-73030-SHOULDER-XRAY-COMPLETE-MINIMUM-2-VIEWS

    CPT 73030: Complete Shoulder X‑ray, Minimum Two Views

    CPT-73040-SHOULDER-ARTHROGRAM-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 73040: Shoulder Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    CPT-73050-ACROMIOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-XRAY-BILATERAL

    CPT 73050: Bilateral Acromioclavicular Joint X‑Ray, Stress and Nonstress Views

    CPT-73060-HUMERUS-XRAY-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 73060: Humerus X‑ray, Minimum 2 Views

    CPT-73070-ELBOW-XRAY-2-VIEWS

    CPT 73070: Elbow X‑ray, Minimum 2 Views

    CPT-73080-ELBOW-XRAY-3-VIEWS-EXTREMITY-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 73080: X‑ray Elbow, Minimum 3 Views

    CPT-73085-ELBOW-ARTHROGRAPHY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 73085: Elbow Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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