Imaging · Hip

Radiologic examination of a single hip, including the pelvis when performed, capturing a minimum of four views from different angles.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $62.79
Total RVUs: 1.88
Global, days
Region: Hip

Drawn from CMSAAPCMdclarityGenhealth

Documentation requirements

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

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

Ordering provider's name and documented clinical indication (e.g., hip pain, suspected fracture, post-op follow-up)
Radiologist's or interpreting physician's signed written report specifying the number of views obtained and findings per view
Laterality clearly stated — left or right hip — in both the order and the radiology report
Notation of pelvis inclusion if pelvic views were performed as part of the study
If same-day as a procedure, documentation establishing the imaging as a distinct, separately medically necessary service

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

26 Professional component 50 Bilateral procedure 59 Distinct service 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician LT Left side RT Right side XS Separate structure

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

73503 covers a unilateral hip X-ray series of four or more views, with the pelvis imaged when clinically indicated. The multi-view requirement distinguishes it from lower-view hip codes — each projection adds diagnostic value for evaluating fracture, joint space narrowing, avascular necrosis, hardware positioning post-arthroplasty, or soft-tissue calcification. The code is unilateral by definition; LT or RT should be appended to lateralize the study for payer processing.

In orthopedic practice, 73503 appears frequently in post-operative hip follow-up, pre-operative planning, and trauma workups. When ordered same-day alongside a procedural code — such as a hip injection or aspiration — NCCI bundling rules may apply. Use modifier 59 or XS to establish a distinct service if the imaging is unrelated to the procedure performed at that encounter and payer policy permits unbundling.

For bilateral hip imaging, do not report 73503 twice. The bilateral hip codes (73521–73523) exist specifically for that scenario. Reporting 73503 with modifier 50 for bilateral imaging is a common billing error that invites denial or audit scrutiny.

RVU & reimbursement

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

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	0.26
Practice expense RVU	1.59
Malpractice RVU	0.03
Total RVU	1.88
Medicare national rate	$62.79
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	$62.79
HOPD (APC 5522) Hospital outpatient department	$106.81

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 73503 get rejected.

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

Missing or incorrect laterality modifier — payers require LT or RT on unilateral imaging codes
Fewer than four views documented in the radiology report, failing to support the 73503 view threshold
Billing 73503 twice for bilateral hips instead of using the appropriate bilateral hip X-ray code (73521–73523)
NCCI bundling denial when 73503 is billed same-day with a hip procedure and no modifier 59/XS is appended
Lack of a signed, dated radiology interpretation report — technical component alone without interpretation support triggers denial for the professional component

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 6 cited references ↓

01Should I append LT or RT to 73503?

Yes, always. 73503 is a unilateral code and most payers require a laterality modifier for processing. Omitting LT or RT is one of the most common denial triggers for this code.

02Can I bill 73503 twice for bilateral hip X-rays?

No. For bilateral hip imaging, use the bilateral hip X-ray codes 73521–73523 based on view count. Reporting 73503 twice — even with modifier 50 — is incorrect coding and will likely be denied or recouped on audit.

03What modifier applies when 73503 is billed same-day with a hip injection?

Use modifier 59 or XS to indicate the imaging is a distinct service from the injection. Document in the record that the X-ray was separately medically necessary and not integral to the injection procedure.

04When is the pelvis included in 73503?

The code covers pelvic imaging when performed as part of the hip study. Whether to include it is a clinical decision; if pelvic views are taken, the radiology report should note them. The code does not require pelvis views — they are optional and incidental when clinically warranted.

05Who can bill the professional component of 73503?

The interpreting physician — typically a radiologist — bills the professional component with modifier 26. The facility or imaging center bills the technical component. If a physician owns the equipment and performs the interpretation, they bill globally without a component modifier.

06Does 73503 have a global period?

No. 73503 carries a XXX global period, meaning the global concept does not apply. Pre- and post-service work is factored into the code's RVUs, and no separate follow-up period is tracked.

07How does 73503 differ from 73500 and 73501?

View count is the differentiator. 73500 covers one to two views, 73501 covers a minimum of three views with pelvis when performed, and 73503 covers four or more views with pelvis when performed. Bill based on the number of views actually documented in the radiology report — not the number ordered.

Sources & references

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

Mira AI Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures laterality (left vs. right hip), the number of views obtained, whether pelvic views were included, and the clinical indication driving the order — all directly from dictation. That prevents the two most common 73503 denials: missing laterality modifier and insufficient view count documentation to support the code level.

See how Mira captures CPT 73503 documentation