CPT 73721
Global XXX ActiveMri jnt of lwr extre w/o dye
CPT 73721 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 73721 (Mri jnt of lwr extre w/o dye) is classified under Radiology with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 1.32, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 4.71, and a malpractice RVU of 0.09, a total non-facility RVU of 6.12 and facility RVU of 6.12. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $211.75, though rates vary from $180.77 to $277.4 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 73721, 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 73721 with related codes; this code has 10 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 3 units of 73721 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 73721
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 1.32 | 1.32 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 4.71 | 4.71 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.09 | 0.09 |
| Total RVU | 6.12 | 6.12 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 73721
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 | $233.45 | $233.45 | $218.87 - $277.4 | 29 |
| Florida | $207.78 | $207.78 | $199 - $215.46 | 3 |
| Georgia | $197.83 | $197.83 | $188 - $207.67 | 2 |
| Illinois | $202 | $202 | $192.42 - $211.29 | 4 |
| Michigan | $196.04 | $196.04 | $191.11 - $200.97 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $192.79 | $192.79 | $192.79 - $192.79 | 1 |
| New York | $225.77 | $225.77 | $195.65 - $239.54 | 5 |
| Ohio | $190.75 | $190.75 | $190.75 - $190.75 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $201.8 | $201.8 | $191.35 - $212.24 | 2 |
| Texas | $202 | $202 | $190.04 - $213.28 | 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 73721
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 73721 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01922 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 36000 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 36011 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 36406 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 36410 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | CPT Separate procedure definition |
| 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 |
| 76350 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 90782 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 90783 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 73721
What does CPT code 73721 mean? +
CPT code 73721 represents: Mri jnt of lwr extre w/o dye. It's in the Radiology category with a global period of XXX.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 73721? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 73721 is $211.75. Rates range from $180.77 to $277.4 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 73721? +
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 73721? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
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