Bilateral hip X-ray examination capturing 3 to 4 views, including the pelvis when clinically indicated.
Verified May 8, 2026 · 5 sources ↓
- Medicare
- $54.44
- Total RVUs
- 1.63
- Global, days
- Region
- Hip
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 5 cited references ↓
- Clinical indication specifying why bilateral views are medically necessary (not just 'hip pain')
- Number of views obtained and projections used (e.g., AP pelvis, frog-leg lateral, cross-table lateral)
- Whether pelvis was included in the field of view and clinical rationale
- Formal written interpretation/radiology report signed by supervising physician
- IDTF-specific: supervising physician credentials and technologist qualification on file
Applicable modifiers
Modifiers commonly billed with this code.
Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual
What this code covers
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 5 cited references ↓
73522 covers a bilateral hip radiographic study using 3–4 projections. The pelvis is included in the field of view when clinically appropriate — it is not a separate billable service. This is the go-to code when a surgeon or radiologist needs a complete bilateral hip survey: evaluating symmetry, joint space, hardware position post-arthroplasty, or screening for contralateral pathology alongside a known unilateral complaint.
In an IDTF setting, CMS requires a board-certified radiologist or orthopedic surgeon as the supervising physician, and the technologist must hold a state radiographer license, be a medical physicist, or carry ARRT: R.T.-R credentials. Failing to document supervising physician qualifications is a recurring IDTF audit finding.
Billing splits on modifier 26 and TC are common here: hospitals and outpatient imaging centers bill the technical component, while the reading radiologist or orthopedic surgeon bills professional interpretation only. When the ordering orthopedic surgeon performs and interprets the study in-office (global), no split is needed — bill without modifier.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
| Work RVU | 0.28 |
| Practice expense RVU | 1.32 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.03 |
| Total RVU | 1.63 |
| Medicare national rate | $54.44 |
| 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 | $54.44 |
HOPD (APC 5522) Hospital outpatient department | $106.81 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 73522 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Medical necessity not established — diagnosis code too vague (e.g., M25.50 without laterality or specificity)
- Bilateral code billed with modifier 50, which is redundant since 73522 already designates bilateral
- Professional component billed by ordering surgeon without documentation of a separate written interpretation
- IDTF claim denied for missing or unqualified supervising physician on CMS-855B enrollment
- Fewer than 3 views acquired but 73522 reported instead of the lower-view bilateral code 73521
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 5 cited references ↓
01Does 73522 already cover both hips, or do I need modifier 50?
02When should I use 73521 versus 73522?
03How do I bill when the radiologist interprets but doesn't own the equipment?
04Can an orthopedic surgeon bill 73522 in their office?
05What ICD-10 codes support medical necessity for 73522?
06What are the IDTF supervision requirements for 73522?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.
- 01CMS Physician Fee Schedule 2026
- 02cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=57807&ver=124
- 03cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=58559&ver=30
- 04vsac.nlm.nih.govhttps://vsac.nlm.nih.gov/context/cs/codesystem/CPT/version/2023/code/73522/info
- 05cgsmedicare.comhttps://www.cgsmedicare.com/medicare_dynamic/j15/partb/ptpb/ptp.aspx
Mira AI Scribe
Mira's AI scribe captures the clinical indication, laterality, number of views acquired, projections performed, and whether the pelvis was included — all from dictation. That prevents the two most common denials for 73522: a vague diagnosis code that won't clear medical necessity review and an incomplete report that auditors flag for lacking view-count documentation.
See how Mira captures CPT 73522 documentation