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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the Lower ExtremitiesCPT cpt-73700-ct-lower-extremity-non-contrast
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    CPT 73700: CT Scan Lower Extremity, No Contrast

    Medicare pays $90 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 73700 describes a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lower extremity performed without contrast to evaluate fractures, bone pathology, or related disease; the service is an imaging diagnostic study typically furnished in an outpatient radiology suite, hospital imaging department, or ambulatory imaging center for evaluation of acute injury or suspected musculoskeletal disease.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Implants for Joint Pain, Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis), Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell Therapy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old male presents to the emergency department after an athletic injury with acute right lower leg pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight. Physical exam raises concern for a tibial or fibular fracture and possible joint involvement. The emergency physician orders a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan of the lower extremity to evaluate complex fractures, assess fracture displacement, and plan orthopedic management when plain radiographs are inconclusive or when detailed bony anatomy is required for surgical planning. The patient is transported to the radiology department; CT technologists confirm identity and lateral side (RT or LT) markers, perform the non-contrast CT acquisition of the lower extremity per protocol, and the radiologist interprets images and issues a report documenting fracture type, location, comminution, and any intra-articular extension. Results are communicated to the orthopedic surgeon for definitive management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    73610Radiologic examination, ankle; 2 viewsPlain radiographs commonly obtained first-line before non-contrast CT
    73590Radiologic examination, tibia and fibula; 2 viewsInitial x-rays for suspected lower leg fracture prior to CT
    73700CT, lower extremity, without contrast materialPrimary procedure for detailed bony assessment
    73702CT, lower extremity, with contrast material(s)Performed when vascular injury or infection concerns require contrast
    72192CT, pelvic bones and hip, without contrastPerformed when suspected proximal extension of injury requires pelvic imaging

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    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.,…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    363A00000X
    207X00000X
    374J00000X
    152WL0500X
    126800000X
    163WG0000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    20 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M25.561Pain in right knee
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.611Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
    M65.261Calcific tendinitis, right lower leg
    M70.60Trochanteric bursitis, unspecified hip
    M76.821Posterior tibial tendinitis, right leg
    M77.11Lateral epicondylitis, right elbow
    M79.671Pain in right foot
    S46.011AStrain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of right shoulder, initial encounter

    Showing 1–10 of 20

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 4

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Implants for Joint PainBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-03-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)regence2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell TherapyBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)Blue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2027-01-01
    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
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Low-Back Pain Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Bone Grafts and Stabilization Devices for Spinal Defects - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Implantable Shock Absorbers for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritisblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06

    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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