Summary & Overview

CPT 77072: Skeletal Maturity X‑ray (Hand and Wrist)

CPT code 77072 denotes a diagnostic radiograph used to determine skeletal (bone) maturity, typically by imaging the left hand and wrist of a child. The measurement of bone age informs clinical management of growth disorders, endocrine evaluations, and timing of interventions. Nationally, the code is a routine component of pediatric imaging workflows and intersects with outpatient radiology billing and pediatric specialty care.

Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose of the code, typical settings where the service is performed, and an overview of payer coverage patterns. The publication outlines common modifiers associated with imaging claims and provides benchmarks and policy context relevant to reimbursement and coding practice. It also situates CPT code 77072 within clinical pathways for assessment of growth and skeletal development.

This summary is written for a national audience and is intended to clarify the code’s clinical role, typical sites of service, and the scope of payers included in the analysis. Data not available in the input are noted where specific payer policies, associated taxonomies, and ICD‑10 mappings would otherwise be detailed.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare77072CPTskeletal maturitybone agepediatric radiologydiagnostic imagingradiographyhand wrist xrayoutpatient imaging

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 77072 describes a radiographic procedure used to assess skeletal maturity in children by obtaining an X‑ray image, most commonly of the left hand and wrist. The procedure establishes bone age relative to chronological age to assist clinical decisions in pediatric endocrinology, growth disorder evaluation, and related specialties.

Service type: Diagnostic radiography for assessment of skeletal maturity
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology unit, or pediatric clinic imaging suite

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 10-year-old child presents to a pediatric endocrinology clinic for evaluation of short stature and delayed puberty. The pediatrician orders a left-hand and wrist radiograph to assess skeletal maturity (bone age) as part of the diagnostic workup. The radiology technologist obtains a single frontal radiograph of the left hand and wrist; the image is interpreted by a pediatric radiologist who documents the bone age using an accepted atlas method. The imaging study is scheduled as an outpatient service in an ambulatory radiology department. Typical workflow: order entry in the electronic medical record referencing the clinical indication (growth delay, precocious or delayed puberty), scheduling and front-desk registration, imaging acquisition by radiology technologist, image transmission to PACS, interpretation and reporting by the radiologist, and charge capture using the bone age radiographic procedure code 77072 with appropriate modifier if only professional or technical component is billed separately.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Used when billing only the radiologist's interpretation/report for `77072` while the facility bills the technical component.
`TC`	Technical component	Used when billing only the facility's technical component (equipment, technologist) for `77072`.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Applied when `77072` is reported with another distinct radiographic procedure on the same day that is not normally billed together.
`52`	Reduced services	Used when the study was partially reduced or not completed but still reportable (e.g., limited view performed).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Used when the exam was started but terminated due to patient/medical reasons prior to completion.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Applied when the same provider repeats `77072` on the same day.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	(Note: `77` is not in the provided list; instead `78` is available)
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room	Rarely applicable; included from available list for unplanned return related to a procedure setting.
`LT`	Left side	Used to indicate the left hand/wrist was imaged when laterality reporting is required.
`RT`	Right side	Used when the right hand/wrist is imaged instead of the typical left.
`52`	Reduced services	(Duplicate entry avoided — already listed)
`57`	(Not in provided list)	Data not in provided list.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080P0800X	Pediatric Radiology	Pediatric radiologists commonly interpret bone age studies.
208000000X	Diagnostic Radiology	General diagnostic radiologists interpret musculoskeletal and pediatric radiographs.
208000000X- Pediatrics	Pediatricians	Pediatricians or pediatric endocrinologists order and interpret clinical implications; (pediatric endocrinology listed under endocrinology below).
207RE0101X	Pediatric Endocrinology	Pediatric endocrinologists commonly order bone age studies to evaluate growth and pubertal disorders.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`E34.3`	Short stature due to endocrine disorder	Common indication to assess bone age and growth potential.
`E30.1`	Precocious puberty	Bone age helps determine advanced skeletal maturation in precocious puberty.
`E30.0`	Delayed puberty, unspecified	Bone age assessment assists in evaluating delayed skeletal maturation.
`R62.52`	Short stature, child	Direct clinical indication for bone age radiograph to evaluate growth delay.
`Z00.129`	Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings	Occasionally used when bone age is part of comprehensive growth assessment during well-child evaluation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73000`	Radiologic examination, forearm; 2 views	May be performed if a forearm injury or fracture is suspected in addition to bone age imaging; not routinely required for bone age assessment.
`73030`	Radiologic examination, wrist; 2 views	May be performed when wrist-specific evaluation is needed alongside bone age assessment.
`74177`	CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast (example unrelated)	Data not available in the input.
`71020`	Radiologic examination, chest; single view	Occasionally ordered in the same visit for systemic disease evaluation but not directly related to bone age.
`77071`	Single view chest radiograph (example not related)	Data not available in the input.