Radiologic examination of the ankle joint requiring a minimum of three views, used to evaluate bone structure, alignment, and soft-tissue abnormalities.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 8 sources ↓

Medicare: $37.07
Total RVUs: 1.11
Global, days
Region: Foot & ankle

Drawn from CMSAAPCAthelasMdclarityTldsystems

Documentation requirements

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

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 8 cited references ↓

State the exact number of views obtained and name each view (e.g., AP, lateral, mortise)
Signed written radiology report is required — an unsigned or unsigned-equivalent note does not satisfy the requirement
Document the clinical indication or symptom driving the study (fracture concern, swelling, pain, mechanism of injury)
Specify laterality (right or left ankle) in both the order and the report
If billing TC and 26 separately, document which provider performed the interpretation versus which supplied the equipment and staff
For IDTF settings, confirm supervising physician is a radiologist or orthopedic surgeon and technician holds ARRT:R.T.-R credentials

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

26 Professional component 50 Bilateral procedure 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 8 cited references ↓

73610 covers a complete ankle X-ray series of at least three views — typically AP, lateral, and mortise. Three views is the floor, not a target; if only two views are taken, bill 73600 instead. Billing 73610 when the operative note or radiology report documents fewer than three views is a straightforward audit flag.

At IDTFs, CMS requires a radiologist or orthopedic surgeon for physician supervision and a Certified Radiologic Technologist (ARRT:R.T.-R) as the technician. Podiatry practices and orthopedic offices billing globally (both technical and professional components) need a signed written report documenting each view obtained, the anatomical findings, and the clinical indication — not just an interpretation note appended to the chart.

The code bifurcates cleanly by component: modifier 26 covers the professional interpretation alone; TC covers the equipment and staff. When one provider controls both, bill global with no modifier. Laterality matters — append LT or RT every time. For bilateral imaging, bill 73610 twice and append modifier 50 to the second line.

RVU & reimbursement

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

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	0.17
Practice expense RVU	0.92
Malpractice RVU	0.02
Total RVU	1.11
Medicare national rate	$37.07
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	$37.07
HOPD (APC 5521) Hospital outpatient department	$88.91

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 73610 get rejected.

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

Fewer than three views documented but 73610 billed — should have been 73600
Missing or unsigned written radiology report — payers treat interpretation notes without a formal report as incomplete
No laterality modifier when payer requires LT or RT for musculoskeletal imaging
Duplicate claim denial when 26 and TC are billed together by the same provider instead of global billing
Medical necessity not established — no ICD-10 code or clinical documentation linking the symptom or diagnosis to the study

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 8 cited references ↓

01What's the difference between 73600 and 73610?

73600 covers two-view ankle imaging (AP and lateral). 73610 requires a minimum of three views. Bill the code that matches what was actually performed and documented — upcoding to 73610 when only two views were taken is an audit risk.

02Do I need a laterality modifier on every 73610 claim?

Yes for most payers. Append LT or RT to specify which ankle was imaged. For bilateral studies, bill 73610 twice and append modifier 50 to the second line. Some payers require separate line items instead of the 50 convention — verify your payer's preference.

03When do I use modifier 26 versus TC versus no modifier?

Modifier 26 covers the radiologist's or physician's interpretation and written report only. TC covers equipment, room, and technician. If one practice owns both and performs both, bill global (no modifier). Splitting incorrectly — or billing global when components are split between a facility and an independent radiologist — causes duplicate payment denials.

04Can I bill 73610 and 73630 (foot X-ray, complete) on the same date for the same patient?

Yes, ankle and foot are distinct anatomical sites, so both can be billed same-day when both studies are clinically indicated and documented. Laterality modifiers on each are essential. Note that some Medicaid programs restrict combinations of foot codes billed same-day — check your state policy.

05What modifier applies if the ankle X-ray has to be repeated the same day by the same provider?

Append modifier 76 to indicate a repeat procedure by the same provider. Document the clinical reason the repeat study was necessary. Without documentation of a distinct clinical reason, most payers will deny the second claim as a duplicate.

06What happens if I can only take a partial study due to patient positioning limitations?

Two options: bill 73600 if two views were completed and that code accurately reflects the service, or bill 73610 with modifier 52 to indicate reduced services. Most coders prefer downgrading to 73600 because it's a cleaner claim. Modifier 52 on 73610 invites additional scrutiny and is less favored by payers.

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 obtained, the specific projections performed, laterality, and the clinical indication from dictation — tying each directly to the radiology report. That prevents the most common 73610 denial: a claim for a three-view complete series when the documentation only supports two views, which should have been billed as 73600.

See how Mira captures CPT 73610 documentation