Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 73610: Ankle X‑ray, Three or More Views

CPT code 73610 represents a standard diagnostic radiology service: three or more X‑ray views of the ankle. Nationally, this code is a common frontline imaging service used to assess acute injury, suspected fracture, and sources of ankle pain. It is widely performed across outpatient imaging centers, hospital radiology departments, and emergency settings, making it a high‑volume item in musculoskeletal imaging and emergency care workflows.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for ordering an ankle series, typical sites of service, and operational considerations that affect utilization and billing. The publication summarizes common modifier usage where applicable, typical payer coverage patterns, and how this code fits into related imaging workflows. It also highlights benchmarking topics such as utilization frequency, site‑of‑service distribution, and coding accuracy considerations that impact claim adjudication and billing consistency.

This material is intended for revenue cycle managers, radiology department leaders, and policy analysts seeking a clear, nationally focused summary of CPT code 73610, its clinical purpose, and the payer landscape relevant to routine ankle radiography.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 73610 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 73610 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 73610 describes a radiologic procedure consisting of three or more X‑ray views of the ankle joint to evaluate suspected fracture, swelling, or unexplained pain in the ankle region. The examination captures multiple projections to visualize bony alignment, joint spaces, and potential acute or chronic osseous injury.

Service type: Diagnostic radiology — plain film ankle series
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or freestanding imaging center

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 73610: Ankle X‑ray, Three or More Views

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 73610 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 73610 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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

Billing Code Overview

Service type: Diagnostic radiology — plain film ankle series
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or freestanding imaging center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 28-year-old recreational soccer player presents to the urgent care clinic after twisting the right ankle during a game. The patient reports immediate pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. The clinician performs a focused musculoskeletal exam noting lateral ankle tenderness over the distal fibula and anterior talofibular ligament region, ecchymosis, and decreased range of motion. To evaluate for fracture, dislocation, and assess for acute soft-tissue swelling that may alter management, the clinician orders radiographic imaging of the ankle.

The radiology technologist performs an ankle series obtaining three or more radiographic views (typically anteroposterior, lateral, and mortise) with the patient seated or standing as tolerated. Images are reviewed by the interpreting radiologist, who documents findings such as fractures, joint alignment, and presence of effusion. Results guide immediate management (immobilization, referral to orthopedics, or conservative care). Typical site of service is an outpatient imaging center, urgent care, emergency department, or physician office with radiography capability. The service type is diagnostic radiography of the ankle using multiple views to evaluate for fracture, swelling, or source of pain.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When reporting only the physician interpretation/read of the ankle radiographs without technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	When reporting only the technical component (equipment and technologist) of the radiograph.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	When the ankle radiographs are repeated later the same day by the same provider due to positioning or exposure error.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another provider	When repeat ankle radiographs are performed by a different provider or facility.
`52`	Reduced services	When fewer views are obtained than typical (e.g., two views instead of three) and full service is not performed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the radiograph procedure is started but halted due to patient factors (e.g., severe pain) before completion.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When differentiating this ankle radiography from a separate, distinct service on the same day (use with caution per payer rules).
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M	When a separately reportable evaluation and management service is performed on the same day as the imaging and needs to be reported.
`RT`	Right side	To identify the right ankle when reporting laterality.
`LT`	Left side	To identify the left ankle when reporting laterality.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Not typically applicable to radiography; included only when a payer requires coding for repeated diagnostic imaging tests in their mapping — use sparingly and per payer guidance.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RX0400X	Podiatry	Podiatrists commonly order and interpret ankle radiographs for foot and ankle complaints.
207L00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic surgeons often order, interpret, and act on ankle imaging for fractures and ligamentous injuries.
208000000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists interpret imaging studies, provide official reads, and issue reports.
2086S0102X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians order and often interpret ankle radiographs in the ED or urgent care setting.
207P00000X	Family Medicine	Primary care and urgent care physicians frequently order ankle radiographs for acute injuries.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S82.601A`	Unspecified fracture of lower end of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Ankle radiographs evaluate for distal tibial fractures extending into the ankle.
`S82.602A`	Unspecified fracture of lower end of left tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Contralateral example; radiographs used to identify fractures of distal tibia involving the ankle.
`S82.891A`	Fracture of other specified parts of right lower leg, initial encounter for closed fracture	Includes distal fibular or other lower leg fractures affecting ankle integrity; radiographs detect and classify fractures.
`S93.401A`	Sprain of unspecified ligament of right ankle, initial encounter	Radiographs are commonly obtained to rule out occult fracture in suspected ankle sprain.
`M25.571`	Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot	Non-specific ankle pain prompting imaging to exclude bony injury or joint pathology.
`M76.872`	Achilles tendinopathy, left leg	While primarily soft-tissue, radiographs may be obtained to exclude bony abnormality when evaluating ankle/heel pain.
`S83.241A`	Dislocation of right talofibular joint, initial encounter	Radiographs assess for joint alignment and associated fractures in suspected dislocation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73610`	Radiologic examination, ankle; complete, minimum of 3 views	Primary procedure: three or more views used to evaluate ankle fracture, swelling, or pain.
`73600`	Radiologic examination, ankle; minimum of 2 views	Alternative when only two views are clinically obtained or indicated; may be used if fewer views performed.
`73630`	Radiologic examination, tibia and fibula; minimum of 2 views	Performed when proximal extension of injury is suspected or to evaluate for associated tibial/fibular shaft injury.
`73590`	Radiologic examination, foot; complete, minimum of 3 views	Performed when foot injury is suspected in addition to the ankle, or to image midfoot structures.
`73650`	Radiologic examination, calcaneus; minimum of 2 views	Used when a heel fracture is suspected alongside ankle trauma; may be ordered during same visit.

Related Codes

CPT-73501-SINGLE-VIEW-HIP-XRAY

CPT 73501: Single‑View Hip X‑Ray for Fracture or Pain

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

CPT 73502: Hip X‑ray, Two or Three Projections

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

CPT 73503: Unilateral Hip X‑ray, Minimum Four Projections

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

CPT 73521: Bilateral Hip X‑Ray, Two Views Each

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

CPT 73522: Bilateral Hip X‑Rays, Multiple Projections

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

CPT 73523: Bilateral Hip X-Rays, Multi-View

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-View Femur X-Ray, Diagnostic Radiograph

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.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.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.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.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	When reporting only the physician interpretation/read of the ankle radiographs without technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	When reporting only the technical component (equipment and technologist) of the radiograph.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	When the ankle radiographs are repeated later the same day by the same provider due to positioning or exposure error.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another provider	When repeat ankle radiographs are performed by a different provider or facility.
`52`	Reduced services	When fewer views are obtained than typical (e.g., two views instead of three) and full service is not performed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the radiograph procedure is started but halted due to patient factors (e.g., severe pain) before completion.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When differentiating this ankle radiography from a separate, distinct service on the same day (use with caution per payer rules).
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M	When a separately reportable evaluation and management service is performed on the same day as the imaging and needs to be reported.
`RT`	Right side	To identify the right ankle when reporting laterality.
`LT`	Left side	To identify the left ankle when reporting laterality.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test	Not typically applicable to radiography; included only when a payer requires coding for repeated diagnostic imaging tests in their mapping — use sparingly and per payer guidance.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RX0400X	Podiatry	Podiatrists commonly order and interpret ankle radiographs for foot and ankle complaints.
207L00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic surgeons often order, interpret, and act on ankle imaging for fractures and ligamentous injuries.
208000000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists interpret imaging studies, provide official reads, and issue reports.
2086S0102X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians order and often interpret ankle radiographs in the ED or urgent care setting.
207P00000X	Family Medicine	Primary care and urgent care physicians frequently order ankle radiographs for acute injuries.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S82.601A`	Unspecified fracture of lower end of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Ankle radiographs evaluate for distal tibial fractures extending into the ankle.
`S82.602A`	Unspecified fracture of lower end of left tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Contralateral example; radiographs used to identify fractures of distal tibia involving the ankle.
`S82.891A`	Fracture of other specified parts of right lower leg, initial encounter for closed fracture	Includes distal fibular or other lower leg fractures affecting ankle integrity; radiographs detect and classify fractures.
`S93.401A`	Sprain of unspecified ligament of right ankle, initial encounter	Radiographs are commonly obtained to rule out occult fracture in suspected ankle sprain.
`M25.571`	Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot	Non-specific ankle pain prompting imaging to exclude bony injury or joint pathology.
`M76.872`	Achilles tendinopathy, left leg	While primarily soft-tissue, radiographs may be obtained to exclude bony abnormality when evaluating ankle/heel pain.
`S83.241A`	Dislocation of right talofibular joint, initial encounter	Radiographs assess for joint alignment and associated fractures in suspected dislocation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73610`	Radiologic examination, ankle; complete, minimum of 3 views	Primary procedure: three or more views used to evaluate ankle fracture, swelling, or pain.
`73600`	Radiologic examination, ankle; minimum of 2 views	Alternative when only two views are clinically obtained or indicated; may be used if fewer views performed.
`73630`	Radiologic examination, tibia and fibula; minimum of 2 views	Performed when proximal extension of injury is suspected or to evaluate for associated tibial/fibular shaft injury.
`73590`	Radiologic examination, foot; complete, minimum of 3 views	Performed when foot injury is suspected in addition to the ankle, or to image midfoot structures.
`73650`	Radiologic examination, calcaneus; minimum of 2 views	Used when a heel fracture is suspected alongside ankle trauma; may be ordered during same visit.

Related Codes

CPT-73501-SINGLE-VIEW-HIP-XRAY

CPT 73501: Single‑View Hip X‑Ray for Fracture or Pain

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

CPT 73502: Hip X‑ray, Two or Three Projections

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

CPT 73503: Unilateral Hip X‑ray, Minimum Four Projections

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

CPT 73521: Bilateral Hip X‑Ray, Two Views Each

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

CPT 73522: Bilateral Hip X‑Rays, Multiple Projections

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

CPT 73523: Bilateral Hip X-Rays, Multi-View

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-View Femur X-Ray, Diagnostic Radiograph

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.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.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.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.

CPT 73610: Ankle X‑ray, Three or More Views

Sign up for cpt 73610 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 73610: Ankle X‑ray, Three or More Views

Sign up for cpt 73610 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

When should I report CPT 73610 for an ankle radiograph?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 73610 and when do they apply?

What code should be used if only two ankle views are performed instead of three?

Which specialties and sites of service commonly perform or interpret this ankle series?

Which payers are referenced for coverage of CPT 73610 and are reimbursement amounts provided?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

When should I report CPT 73610 for an ankle radiograph?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 73610 and when do they apply?

What code should be used if only two ankle views are performed instead of three?

Which specialties and sites of service commonly perform or interpret this ankle series?

Which payers are referenced for coverage of CPT 73610 and are reimbursement amounts provided?

References