Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Lower ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73600-ankle-xray-two-views
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 73600: Ankle X‑Ray, Two Views

    Medicare pays $22 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73600 describes a diagnostic radiographic examination of the ankle consisting of two views to evaluate for fracture, swelling, or causes of ankle pain; the service is an ankle X‑ray typically performed in an outpatient radiology department, urgent care center, or emergency department to obtain two standard projection images for clinical assessment.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing), Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement), Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 73600 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 73600 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old recreational soccer player presents to the urgent care clinic after a twisting injury to the right ankle during a game. The patient reports immediate pain, swelling, and inability to bear full weight. Physical exam demonstrates lateral ankle tenderness over the malleolus and mild ecchymosis. The clinician orders radiographic imaging to evaluate for acute fracture or significant bony injury. The radiology technologist performs 73600 (two-view radiographic exam of the ankle: usually anteroposterior and lateral, often with an oblique view based on clinician request) in the ambulatory clinic’s imaging suite. The interpreting provider documents findings and issues a formal radiology report. Typical workflow includes patient registration, history and laterality confirmation, positioning and acquisition of two views, image verification, interpretation by a credentialed provider, and delivery of results to the treating clinician. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, urgent care center, or emergency department.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73610Radiologic examination, ankle; complete, minimum of 3 viewsPerformed when more than two views are clinically indicated to evaluate complex injury or to better visualize a suspected fracture
    73620Radiologic examination, tibia and fibula; 2 viewsOrdered when injury mechanism suggests more proximal lower-extremity involvement or to assess for associated tibia/fibula injury
    72040Radiologic examination, lower extremity, single or multiple radiographic studies of the pelvis/hip region (example code for related region)Used when evaluation includes adjacent joints such as the hip or pelvis based on clinical concern for referred pain or additional trauma
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., bandages, sterile supplies)Billed when additional non-covered supplies are used during imaging encounter per payer policy
    71045Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontalFrequently performed in trauma settings alongside extremity imaging when polytrauma or chest injury is suspected

    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…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    261QR0400XRehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    246ZC0007XSurgical AssistantA surgical assistant is a skilled practitioner who has undergone formalized education and training as a surgical assistant. The surgical assistant per…
    204E00000XOral & Maxillofacial Surgery (D.M.D.)Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to recognize and treat a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and…
    111NT0100XThermography ChiropractorThe NUCC recommends this code not be used. Choose a more appropriate code.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.572Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
    M77.41Metatarsalgia, right foot
    M79.671Pain in right foot
    R22.41Localized swelling, mass and lump, right lower limb
    R26.2Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified
    R60.0Localized edema

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 4

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilizationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplastyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Shoulder Open ProceduresPremera Bluecross2026-09-04

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.