Complete radiographic bone survey imaging the axial and appendicular skeleton, used to map lytic lesions, metastases, or systemic bone disease.
- Medicare
- $97.86
- Work RVU
- 0.54
- Global, days
- Region
- Multi-region
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 2 cited references ↓
- Order with clinical indication for a full skeletal search
- Confirmation that axial and appendicular skeleton were imaged
- Findings by region, with lesion locations
- Signed interpretation
- Separate order and report for any individual X-rays taken the same day
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 2 cited references ↓
The full skeletal survey takes in the skull, spine, pelvis, ribs, and long bones. In an orthopedic setting it comes up when a pathologic fracture turns out to be myeloma or metastatic disease and the team needs the full map before deciding on fixation, prophylactic stabilization, or referral. Hematology and oncology order most of them. Ortho oncologists order their share.
It replaces any individual X-rays of the areas it includes. Billing a hip or femur series on the same films is unbundling. If the hip was shot separately earlier in the day for the fracture and then the survey was done, document two separate orders and two separate reports.
For pediatric skeletal surveys done for suspected nonaccidental trauma, check the infant survey code (77076) instead. Medical necessity for 77075 needs a diagnosis pointing to systemic disease. A note saying only bone pain will not hold up.
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 (0.54) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (2.93) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 0.54 |
| Practice expense RVU | 2.34 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.05 |
| Total RVU | 2.93 |
| Medicare national rate | $97.86 |
| 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 | $97.86 |
HOPD (APC 5522) Hospital outpatient department | $106.81 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 77075 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Individual X-ray codes billed for areas already in the survey
- Diagnosis does not support systemic imaging
- Infant survey billed with 77075 instead of 77076
- Incomplete survey billed as complete
- Missing interpretation
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 2 cited references ↓
01When should a complete bone survey be billed?
02Can 77075 be billed with a chest X-ray?
03Is there a different code for infant skeletal surveys?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
- 01CMS Physician Fee Schedule 2026
- 02cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/national-correct-coding-initiative-ncci-edits
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe records the systemic concern that prompts a full survey, such as suspected myeloma after a pathologic fracture, so the order is supported on review.
See how Mira captures CPT 77075 documentation