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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Lower ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73551-single-view-femur-x-ray
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    CPT 73551: Single-Projection Femur X-Ray

    Medicare pays $20 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73551 describes a diagnostic single-projection X-ray of the femur performed to evaluate for fracture, swelling, or focal thigh pain; the service type is a radiologic diagnostic procedure and the typical site of service is an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging department where a single AP or lateral projection of the femur is acquired for clinical assessment.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult who presents to the emergency department or outpatient radiology clinic after a fall, direct blow, or with progressive thigh pain and localized swelling. The patient reports inability to bear weight or has focal tenderness over the femoral shaft. The clinical workflow begins with triage and history/physical examination by a nurse or physician assistant, followed by an order for radiographic evaluation. Radiology staff obtain a single frontal or lateral projection of the femur using 73551. The technologist confirms patient identity and laterality (LT/RT), positions the patient, and acquires the image. Images are transmitted to the interpreting radiologist (or reporting provider) who reviews for fracture, cortical disruption, periosteal reaction, hardware integrity, or other pathology and issues a diagnostic report. Results are routed back to the ordering clinician for disposition, which may include orthopedic referral, advanced imaging, casting, or discharge with analgesia and activity modification.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73550Radiologic examination, femur; single anteroposterior or lateral viewAlternative single-view femur code; sometimes used interchangeably depending on payer definitions and documentation of projection.
    73552Radiologic examination, femur; minimum of two viewsPerformed when additional orthogonal views are needed after 73551 to fully evaluate a suspected fracture.
    73030Radiologic examination, shoulder; complete, minimum of two viewsMay be performed in the same visit when trauma involves the ipsilateral shoulder and femur imaging is ordered as part of multisite trauma assessment.
    72192Radiologic examination, femur/hip joint, unilateral; minimum of two views (hip-specific)Ordered when clinical concern shifts to the hip joint rather than isolated femoral shaft; may be performed in addition to or instead of femur imaging.
    73000Radiologic examination, humerus; single anteroposterior or lateral viewExample of another extremity single-view code commonly performed in multi-injury evaluation alongside 73551.

    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    207L00000X
    363LA2200X
    207K00000X
    2084N0008X
    225XN1300X
    207YX0901X
    103TP2700X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 4

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-73501-SINGLE-VIEW-HIP-XRAY

    CPT 73501: Single-View Hip Radiograph

    CPT-73502-HIP-XRAY-TWO-THREE-PROJECTIONS

    CPT 73502: Hip X‑ray, Two or Three Views (Single Hip)

    CPT-73503-HIP-XRAY-MULTIPLE-PROJECTIONS-UNILATERAL

    CPT 73503: Radiography, Hip, Minimum 4 Projections

    CPT-73521-BILATERAL-HIP-X-RAY-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 73521: Bilateral Hip X‑Ray, Two Views

    CPT-73522-BILATERAL-HIP-X-RAYS-MULTIPLE-PROJECTIONS

    CPT 73522: Bilateral Hip X‑ray, Three to Four Views

    CPT-73523-BILATERAL-HIP-X-RAYS-MULTI-VIEW

    CPT 73523: Bilateral Hip X‑rays, Multiple Projections

    CPT-73525-HIP-ARTHROGRAPHY-IMAGING-SUPERVISION-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 73525: Hip Arthrography Imaging Supervision and Interpretation

    CPT-73552-FEMUR-XRAY-TWO-PROJECTIONS

    CPT 73552: Femur X‑ray, Minimum Two Projections

    CPT-73560-KNEE-XRAY-ONE-OR-TWO-VIEWS

    CPT 73560: Knee X‑Ray, One or Two Views

    CPT-73562-THREE-VIEW-KNEE-RADIOGRAPHS

    CPT 73562: Knee Radiographs, Three Views

    Showing 1–10 of 33

    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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