CPT Code Overview

CPT 73110 is a radiologic examination of the wrist performed as a complete study with a minimum of three views. This procedure is categorized under Diagnostic Radiology and documents a thorough imaging assessment of the wrist to evaluate acute injury, degenerative change, or other pathology.

Typical sites of service include Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) and outpatient hospital settings (Facility POS 22 or POS 19).

Clinical Context

A patient presents to an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility or an outpatient hospital radiology department with acute wrist pain following a fall onto an outstretched hand. The patient reports focal tenderness over the carpal bones, decreased range of motion, and swelling. The ordering clinician (orthopaedic surgeon or emergency physician) requests radiographic evaluation to assess for carpal bone fracture or acute bony abnormality. The radiology technologist performs a complete wrist radiologic examination consisting of a minimum of three views (typically AP, lateral, and oblique). Images are acquired under the facility technical component and transmitted to the interpreting radiologist for the professional component. Final radiology report documents technique, number of views, comparison studies if available, imaging findings (for example, fracture, dislocation, degenerative change), and impression to guide management.

Coding Specifications

• Modifier 26 (Professional Component): Used when billing only the interpreting radiologist’s service (report and interpretation) separate from the facility’s equipment and technologist services.

• Modifier TC (Technical Component): Used when billing only the facility component (equipment, supplies, technologist) separate from the interpreting physician’s professional component.

Provider Taxonomies

Related Diagnoses

• S62.101A — Fracture of unspecified carpal bone, right wrist, initial encounter for closed fracture

  Clinical relevance: Acute carpal bone fracture is a primary indication for a complete wrist radiologic examination to identify fracture location and displacement.

• S62.102A — Fracture of unspecified carpal bone, left wrist, initial encounter for closed fracture

  Clinical relevance: Same as above for the contralateral wrist; radiography documents the fracture for diagnosis and treatment planning.

• M25.531 — Pain in right wrist

  Clinical relevance: Localized wrist pain may prompt radiographic evaluation to exclude fracture, dislocation, or significant degenerative change.

• M25.532 — Pain in left wrist

  Clinical relevance: Same as above for the left wrist; imaging helps determine underlying structural causes.

• M19.031 — Primary osteoarthritis, right wrist

  Clinical relevance: Degenerative joint disease can be assessed radiographically for joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis; imaging aids in differentiation from acute injury.

• M19.032 — Primary osteoarthritis, left wrist

  Clinical relevance: Same as above for the left wrist; radiographs document chronic degenerative changes relevant to patient management.

Related CPT Codes

• 73100 (2 views) is a reduced-view alternative to 73110 when only two projections are medically necessary.

• 73120 and 73130 describe radiographic examinations of the hand; they are anatomically adjacent studies that may be ordered when hand involvement is suspected or when additional imaging of the digits is needed.

• 73130 (hand, minimum of 3 views) is analogous in view count to 73110 and may be used in workflows where the primary concern is the hand rather than the wrist.

• In clinical workflow, 73110 is commonly used for dedicated wrist assessment; 73100 serves as an alternative with fewer views, and 73120/73130 are used when imaging the hand is required in addition to or instead of the wrist.

National commercial averages (BUCA) have a mean rate around $37.35 for CPT 73110, which is higher than the Medicare mean of $29.72. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna report the highest commercial mean rates at $40.61 and $39.46 respectively, while Medicare's mean sits noticeably below those commercial payers.

Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies across payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna show the widest interquartile spreads (approximately $22.07 and $24.09 respectively), indicating greater variability. Aetna and UnitedHealth Group are tighter (about $12.91 and $17.33 respectively), and Medicare's IQR is $33.00, the largest of the group. The table and chart below present the full breakdown.