Summary & Overview
CPT 73592: Infant Lower Extremity X‑ray, Two or More Views
CPT code 73592 denotes two or more X‑ray views of an infant’s lower extremity used to evaluate injury, tumor, or congenital abnormality. This pediatric imaging code matters nationally because accurate, age‑appropriate diagnostic imaging is essential for timely orthopaedic management, emergency care decisions, and surgical planning in infants. Reimbursement and utilization patterns for this code affect hospital radiology workflows and outpatient imaging access for young patients.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical intent and service setting, typical payer considerations, common billing modifiers, and where to look for related procedural codes. The publication also outlines benchmarks and policy context relevant to imaging authorization, documentation expectations, and site‑of‑service implications for infant lower extremity radiographs.
This summary equips administrators, billers, and clinicians with a clear reference to CPT code 73592 — clarifying when the code applies, why it is clinically important, and what topics (benchmarks, payer coverage, clinical context) are covered in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73592 reports two or more X‑ray views of an infant's lower extremity to assess injury, tumor, or congenital abnormalities. The service is an imaging diagnostic procedure focused on pediatric orthopaedic evaluation. Typical sites of service include hospital radiology departments, outpatient imaging centers, and emergency department radiology when the infant presents with acute injury or concern for structural abnormality.
Service Type: Diagnostic radiology — extremity X‑rays (pediatric)
Typical Site of Service: Hospital radiology department; outpatient imaging center; emergency department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 6-month-old infant is brought to the pediatric emergency department after a fall from a low surface with refusal to use the right lower extremity and localized swelling. The triage nurse documents pain and limited movement; a pediatrician orders diagnostic imaging to evaluate for fracture, dislocation, growth plate injury, or congenital osseous abnormality. Radiology performs two or more infant lower-extremity X‑ray views using immobilization and age‑appropriate positioning. Images are reviewed by a pediatric radiologist who documents views obtained, comparison (if available), and any acute osseous injury or other abnormality. Results are routed to the ordering provider for management and to the electronic health record with the technical component billed by the imaging facility and the professional component billed by the interpreting radiologist as applicable.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the radiologist interpretation for this X‑ray. |
TC | Technical component | Use when billing only the facility technical component (equipment, technologist). |