Radiological supervision and interpretation of a wrist arthrogram, where contrast is injected into the wrist joint and images are taken to show ligament, cartilage, and capsule problems.
- Medicare
- $133.27
- Work RVU
- 0.53
- Global, days
- Region
- Wrist
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 3 cited references ↓
- Clinical reason for the arthrogram (suspected ligament or TFCC tear, persistent ulnar or radial wrist pain)
- Which compartments were injected and the contrast agent and volume used
- Separate procedure note for the injection supporting 25246
- Written interpretation describing contrast flow, leaks between compartments, and findings
- Laterality of the wrist studied
- Images retained in the record or PACS
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 3 cited references ↓
This code pays for the imaging half of a wrist arthrogram: watching the contrast go in, taking the films, and writing the read. It does not cover the injection itself. The needle placement into the radiocarpal, midcarpal, or DRUJ compartment is reported separately with 25246.
In an orthopedic or hand practice this comes up when the surgeon wants to look for a scapholunate or lunotriquetral ligament tear or a TFCC perforation, either as a stand-alone conventional arthrogram or as the first step before an MR or CT arthrogram. If the contrast is placed for an MR arthrogram and no conventional arthrogram images are read, many coders bill 25246 plus the MRI code and leave 73115 off. Bill 73115 only when the arthrographic films are actually interpreted and reported. The fluoroscopy used to place the needle is part of 73115, so 77002 is not added on top.
When the radiologist reads at a hospital, split the claim correctly: modifier 26 for the professional read, TC for the facility. Practices that own the fluoroscopy unit bill globally. Add RT or LT, since commercial payers often deny wrist imaging without laterality.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
Work RVU vs. total RVU
The work RVU (0.53) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (3.99) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 0.53 |
| Practice expense RVU | 3.41 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.05 |
| Total RVU | 3.99 |
| Medicare national rate | $133.27 |
| 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 | $133.27 |
HOPD (APC 5572) Hospital outpatient department | $356.43 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 73115 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Injection code 25246 missing, so the arthrogram looks incomplete to the payer
- 73115 billed for an MR arthrogram where no conventional arthrogram images were interpreted
- Missing 26 or TC modifier on a split professional and technical claim
- No laterality modifier on a commercial claim
- Diagnosis code does not support suspected internal derangement of the wrist
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 3 cited references ↓
01What injection code goes with 73115?
02Can I bill 73115 with an MR arthrogram of the wrist?
03Does 73115 need a modifier 26?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe notes record the clinical reason for the wrist arthrogram, the compartments injected, and the findings, so the injection and the imaging read are both supported on the claim.
See how Mira captures CPT 73115 documentation