Imaging · Elbow

Radiographic examination of the elbow joint using a minimum of 2 views to evaluate bone structure and surrounding tissues.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 7 sources ↓

Medicare: $29.39
Total RVUs: 0.88
Global, days
Region: Elbow

Drawn from CMSAAPCFindacode

Documentation requirements

What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 7 cited references ↓

Number of views obtained must be specified — minimum 2 views required for 73070
Clinical indication documented in the order and report (e.g., fracture, dislocation, arthritis, bone spur)
Laterality recorded — left, right, or bilateral — tied to the correct ICD-10 code
Radiologist or supervising physician's complete written interpretation and report, not just a brief notation
Technologist credentials on file at IDTF settings to satisfy CMS supervision requirements

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

26 Professional component 52 Reduced services 59 Distinct service 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician LT Left side RT Right side

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 7 cited references ↓

73070 covers a minimum 2-view elbow X-ray. The two-view floor distinguishes it from 73080, which requires a complete series (three or more views). If only one view is obtained, modifier 52 applies. If three or more views are taken, step up to 73080 — billing 73070 for a complete series is an undercoding error that survives claims adjudication but surfaces on audit.

Laterality matters. Bill bilateral elbow X-rays with LT and RT modifiers on separate line items. Modifier 50 is not standard for diagnostic imaging — use LT/RT instead. When the same elbow is imaged twice on the same date (e.g., pre- and post-reduction), append modifier 76 (same physician repeat) or 77 (different physician repeat) to the second line.

At IDTFs, 73070 requires a board-certified radiologist or orthopedic surgeon for physician supervision and an ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologist (or state-licensed general radiographer/medical physicist) for the technical performance. Supervision level is 01 (general). Billing the professional component alone uses modifier 26; the technical component alone uses modifier TC. The global bill (no modifier) covers both when the same entity owns both components.

RVU & reimbursement

Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	0.16
Practice expense RVU	0.7
Malpractice RVU	0.02
Total RVU	0.88
Medicare national rate	$29.39
Global period	days

Payment by site of service

Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.

Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026

Setting	Medicare rate (national)
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office	$29.39
HOPD (APC 5521) Hospital outpatient department	$88.91

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 73070 get rejected.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓

Code billed when three or more views were taken — should be 73080, not 73070
Missing or insufficient written interpretation: a notation like 'no fracture' does not meet CMS standards for a separately billable professional component
Laterality absent or mismatched with ICD-10 code, triggering payer edit
Duplicate claim on same date without modifier 76 or 77 on the repeat service line
IDTF claim denied for failure to document that supervising physician meets board-certification requirement

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 7 cited references ↓

01What is the difference between 73070 and 73080?

73070 requires a minimum of 2 views. 73080 is for a complete elbow series of 3 or more views. If you obtained 3 views, bill 73080 — using 73070 is undercoding and creates audit exposure.

02How do I bill bilateral elbow X-rays?

Submit two line items: one with modifier LT and one with modifier RT. Do not use modifier 50 for diagnostic X-rays. If your payer requires 50, verify their specific bilateral imaging policy, as this is payer-variable.

03When does modifier 52 apply to 73070?

If only one view was obtained — for example, a single AP in an uncooperative patient — append modifier 52 to indicate reduced services. Document the reason the full two-view minimum was not completed.

04Can an orthopedic surgeon bill 73070 in the office setting?

Yes. An orthopedic surgeon performing and interpreting in-office X-rays bills the global code without a modifier if they own the equipment and perform the interpretation. Modifier 26 applies if they interpret only; modifier TC if the practice bills only for the technical service.

05What supervision level is required at an IDTF?

CMS assigns supervision level 01 (general) to 73070 at IDTFs. The supervising physician must be a board-certified radiologist or orthopedic surgeon. The technologist must hold state licensure as a general radiographer or medical physicist, or ARRT R.T.-R credentials.

06Is a second same-day elbow X-ray billable — for example, post-reduction imaging?

Yes. Append modifier 76 if the same physician repeats the study, or modifier 77 if a different physician performs the repeat. Without one of these modifiers, the second claim will likely deny as a duplicate.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

Mira AI Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the number of views taken, the laterality of the study, and the clinical indication from dictation — populating the radiology order and report fields that drive the 73070 vs. 73080 decision. This prevents the most common audit flag: a complete series billed under the minimum-views code, or a one-view study billed without modifier 52.

See how Mira captures CPT 73070 documentation