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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Lower ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73562-three-view-knee-radiographs
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    CPT 73562: Knee Radiographs, Three Views

    Medicare pays $29 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73562 describes a radiographic procedure of the knee producing three images to evaluate for fractures, joint effusion, swelling, or sources of knee pain; the service type is diagnostic musculoskeletal X‑ray (knee), three views, and the typical site of service is an outpatient radiology suite or hospital imaging department for evaluation following trauma or acute knee symptoms.

    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 34-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after twisting the knee during a soccer match with localized pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. The ED clinician performs a focused history and physical exam noting joint line tenderness and limited range of motion. To evaluate for acute fracture, joint effusion, or bony abnormality, the provider orders knee radiographs. The radiology technologist acquires three plain X‑ray views of the affected knee (73562) — typically anteroposterior (AP), lateral, and weight‑bearing or sunrise/merchant as indicated — and sends images to the radiologist for interpretation. The radiologist documents findings (for example, no acute fracture, small effusion, or degenerative changes) and reports results back to the ED clinician who integrates imaging into disposition and treatment planning (e.g., immobilization, analgesia, referral to orthopedics, or discharge with activity modification). Typical sites of service include the emergency department, urgent care clinic, and outpatient radiology departments or ambulatory imaging centers.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73560Radiologic examination, knee; 1 viewMay be used when only a single projection is medically necessary instead of the three‑view series.
    73561Radiologic examination, knee; 2 viewsUsed when two projections suffice for the clinical question, as an alternative to 73562.
    73565Radiologic examination, knee; complete, minimum of 4 viewsPerformed when more extensive imaging is required to evaluate complex injury or preoperative planning.
    72040Radiologic examination, femur; 2 viewsMay be ordered when injury mechanism raises concern for femoral shaft involvement extending above the knee.
    73610Radiologic examination, tibia and fibula; 2 viewsOrdered when trauma raises concern for tibial/fibular fractures contiguous with the knee evaluation.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    2080P0206X
    207X00000X
    208800000X
    3336M0002X
    101YP1600X
    246QH0401X
    163WX0800X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M17.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M23.221Derangement of posterior horn of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee
    M25.461Effusion, right knee
    M25.462Effusion, left knee
    M25.469Effusion, unspecified knee
    M25.561Pain in right knee
    M25.562Pain in left knee
    M25.569Pain in unspecified knee

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    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-73551-SINGLE-VIEW-FEMUR-X-RAY

    CPT 73551: Single-Projection Femur X-Ray

    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

    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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