CPT 73090
Global XXX ActiveX-ray exam of forearm
CPT 73090 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 73090 (X-ray exam of forearm) is classified under Radiology with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.16, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 0.69, and a malpractice RVU of 0.02, a total non-facility RVU of 0.87 and facility RVU of 0.87. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $30.08, though rates vary from $25.49 to $39.52 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 73090, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 73090 with related codes; this code has 8 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
No global period (E/M and other non-procedural services)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 2 units of 73090 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 73090
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.16 | 0.16 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 0.69 | 0.69 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.02 | 0.02 |
| Total RVU | 0.87 | 0.87 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 73090
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $33.17 | $33.17 | $31.05 - $39.52 | 29 |
| Florida | $29.77 | $29.77 | $28.38 - $31.03 | 3 |
| Georgia | $28.14 | $28.14 | $26.7 - $29.58 | 2 |
| Illinois | $28.91 | $28.91 | $27.43 - $30.23 | 4 |
| Michigan | $27.93 | $27.93 | $27.14 - $28.71 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $27.27 | $27.27 | $27.27 - $27.27 | 1 |
| New York | $32.22 | $32.22 | $27.71 - $34.33 | 5 |
| Ohio | $27.06 | $27.06 | $27.06 - $27.06 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $28.68 | $28.68 | $27.13 - $30.23 | 2 |
| Texas | $28.69 | $28.69 | $26.94 - $30.33 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 73090
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 73090 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36591 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36592 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 96523 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 0349T | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 20696 | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | HCPCS/CPT procedure code definition |
| 20697 | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | HCPCS/CPT procedure code definition |
| 73092 | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | No | Mutually exclusive procedures |
| 76006 | Column 2 (secondary), bundled into primary | Yes | More extensive procedure |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 73090
What does CPT code 73090 mean? +
CPT code 73090 represents: X-ray exam of forearm. It's in the Radiology category with a global period of XXX.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 73090? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 73090 is $30.08. Rates range from $25.49 to $39.52 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 73090? +
Radiology codes rely heavily on the professional/technical split: modifier 26 (professional component only) and TC (technical component only). Also common: 50 (bilateral imaging), 76 (repeat by same physician), 77 (repeat by different physician), and LT/RT for laterality.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 73090? +
This code has 8 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on July 16, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team