Summary & Overview
CPT 73200: CT Imaging of Upper Extremity, Non-Contrast
CPT code 73200 represents non-contrast computed tomography (CT) imaging of the upper extremity and is used for cross-sectional evaluation of bones, joints, and soft tissues of the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand. Nationally, CT of the upper extremity is an important diagnostic tool for trauma assessment, preoperative planning, and evaluation of complex osseous and joint pathology when higher-resolution bony detail is required than plain radiography.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical purpose and typical settings of service, a summary of commonly reported modifiers, and context on where this service fits within imaging workflows. The publication also outlines benchmarking and reimbursement considerations where available, common billing and coverage themes across major national payers, and clinical scenarios that commonly prompt use of non-contrast upper extremity CT.
This summary is intended for billing managers, radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking a national overview of CPT code 73200, its clinical role, and the payer landscape relevant to imaging of the upper extremity without contrast.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73200 describes computer tomographic (CT) imaging of the upper extremity without contrast. The procedure captures cross-sectional imaging of structures in the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand when no intravenous or intraarticular contrast agent is administered.
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Service type: Diagnostic imaging (non-contrast CT of the upper extremity)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology departments, hospital imaging centers, and freestanding imaging facilities where CT scanners are available. Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 48-year-old right-hand–dominant construction worker presents to the outpatient radiology department after acute onset of wrist pain and swelling following a fall from a ladder. The referring orthopedic surgeon documents localized tenderness over the distal radius and limited range of motion. Physical exam suggests possible occult fracture or intra-articular involvement. The provider schedules a non-contrast computed tomography study of the upper extremity to evaluate complex bony anatomy and fracture fragmentation for surgical planning. The patient registers at the imaging center, screening for contraindications. The CT technologist performs positioning and acquires multiplanar, high-resolution, non-contrast images of the affected upper extremity. Images are reconstructed for 3D reformats and transmitted to the radiologist for interpretation. The radiology report documents fracture lines, displacement, comminution, and joint involvement; images and report are forwarded to the referring orthopedic surgeon for definitive management planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the radiologist interpretation separate from technical imaging provided by the facility. |
TC |