{"id":4317,"date":"2025-08-06T12:23:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T12:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/?p=4317"},"modified":"2025-08-06T12:23:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T12:23:24","slug":"cpt-code-73721","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/cpt-code-73721\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide to CPT Code 73721"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Are you confident that your practice is getting the maximum possible reimbursement for the radiology claims? Probably not. Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experian.com\/healthcare\/resources-insights\/thought-leadership\/white-papers-insights\/state-claims-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">38%<\/a> of the healthcare providers claim that every 1 in 10 claims is denied, this includes radiology service claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medical imaging procedures, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), form the backbone of accurate diagnosis in modern healthcare. Without these, physicians cannot perform critical operations or even diagnose fatal diseases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CPT code 73721 is a vital imaging code that is frequently used in radiology billing. However, as a healthcare provider, how can you maximize reimbursement for this code and avoid denials? That\u2019s what we are going to discuss in this blog. So, let\u2019s start.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1 uagb-toc__collapse uagb-block-06dcad52      \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTable Of Contents\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M192 384c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L192 306.8l137.4-137.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0s12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C208.4 380.9 200.2 384 192 384z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#cpt-code-73721-description\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">CPT Code 73721 \u2013 Description<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#scenarios-where-cpt-code-73721-is-applicable\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Scenarios Where CPT Code 73721 is Applicable<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#joint-pain-evaluation\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Joint Pain Evaluation<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#ligament-and-tendon-injuries\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Ligament and Tendon Injuries<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#applicable-modifiers-for-cpt-code-73721\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Applicable Modifiers for CPT Code 73721<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#cpt-code-73721-billing-reimbursement-guidelines\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">CPT Code 73721 \u2013 Billing &amp; Reimbursement Guidelines<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#provide-supporting-documentation\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Provide Supporting Documentation<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#obtain-prior-authorization\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Obtain Prior Authorization<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#confirm-the-reimbursement-amount\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Confirm the Reimbursement Amount<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#wrapping-up\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Wrapping Up<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CPT Code 73721<\/strong><strong> \u2013 Description<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The official definition of CPT code 73721 is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-ast-global-color-4-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong><em>\u201cMagnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, any joint of the lower extremity, without contrast material.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Sounds hard? Let\u2019s break this down in simpler words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CPT code 73721 bills an MRI procedure that is performed to view the lower body joints, like the hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints. A distinguishing feature of 73721 is that it is performed without contrast dye.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a physician orders an MRI without contrast, it means the dye is not injected into the patient\u2019s veins to highlight joints, surrounding structures, and blood vessels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering exactly what happens during the MRI. Here\u2019s a brief description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The procedure involves the patient lying on a motorized table that slides into the MRI machine. Powerful magnetic fields and radio waves create detailed cross-sectional images of the joint structures, including bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding soft tissues. The entire process typically takes 30-60 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Scenarios Where <\/strong><strong>CPT Code 73721<\/strong><strong> is Applicable<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To make things simple, here are some real-world scenarios where CPT code 73721 can be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Joint Pain Evaluation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When patients present with persistent or severe joint pain in the lower extremities, MRI without contrast provides comprehensive visualization of all joint structures, helping diagnose the underlying issue. In this case, the biller can use CPT code 73721 for each examined joint.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ligament and Tendon Injuries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Road accidents are common and result in significant injuries. Oftentimes, these injuries penetrate deep and damage the joint ligaments and tendons. To properly treat these injuries, physicians require a detailed scan of the affected area and assess the extent of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MRI excels at visualizing soft tissue structures, making it the preferred imaging modality for evaluating suspected tears or partial injuries to ligaments and tendons. So, if a physician orders an MRI, the biller can use one unit of CPT code 73721 for every joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applicable Modifiers for<\/strong><strong> CPT Code 73721<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The following are some of the most frequently used modifiers with CPT code 73721:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Modifier<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Usage<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-26\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">26<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Professional Component<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when billing only for the interpretation and reporting of MRI results.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-50\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">50<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Bilateral Procedure<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when both left and right lower extremity joints are scanned in one session. For example, the left and right ankles. (Rare for MRIs).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-52\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">52<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Reduced Services<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when the service is partially reduced or eliminated, e.g., when the full MRI protocol cannot be completed as planned.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-53\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">53<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Discontinued Procedure<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when the procedure is stopped due to patient safety concerns, e.g., when the procedure must be terminated for patient well-being. However, the procedure must have been terminated after anesthesia administration.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-51-vs-59\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">59<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Distinct Procedural Service<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Indicates the procedure was distinct from other services performed on the same day, e.g., when multiple imaging studies need separate reporting.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-76\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">76<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Repeat Procedure by Same Physician<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when the same physician repeats the procedure on the same day, e.g., to obtain subsequent images.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-77\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">77<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Repeat Procedure by Another Physician<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when a different physician repeats the procedure on the same day.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifiers-rt-and-lt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LT<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Left Side<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used if the MRI scans a left lower extremity joint.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">RT<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Right Side<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used if the MRI scans a right lower extremity joint.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/modifier-tc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TC<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Technical Component<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Used when the facility seeks payment for the equipment and the staff running the MRI machine.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note that CPT code 73721 is not bilateral. It means that if the MRI is performed on both legs, you will have to use the modifier 50, or LT\/RT, in case only one side is examined. However, Medicare will not reimburse the bilateral procedures at 100% each because the Bilateral Surgery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/status-indicators\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Status Indicator<\/a> for CPT code 73721 is \u20183\u2019. Hence, the usual payment adjustments for bilateral procedures do not apply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, 73721 is billed for each joint. For example, if the physician orders an MRI scan of the hip and knee joint of the same leg, you will have to bill the procedure twice. OR, use modifier 59 to indicate distinct procedures (depending on the insurance payer\u2019s billing rules).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CPT Code 73721<\/strong><strong> \u2013 Billing &amp; Reimbursement Guidelines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The following billing best practices and guidelines will help you avoid claim denials for a lower extremity joint MRI, without contrast (CPT code 73721).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Provide Supporting Documentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Appending the necessary documentation with CPT code 73721 claims is vital to justify the medical necessity. The medical records must contain specific clinical indications or symptoms for the MRI procedure, such as consistent joint pain or ligament tears.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This should be supported with the patient&#8217;s relevant medical history and the diagnostic question that the imaging study is intended to answer. Plus, the records must also clearly specify the joint or region being examined.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Obtain Prior Authorization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many insurance payers mandate prior authorization for MRI procedures, including those billed under CPT code 73721. So, before providing any services, you must get pre-authorization from the patient\u2019s insurance payer to avoid denials later on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Confirm the Reimbursement Amount<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The reimbursement amount for CPT code 73721 varies based on location and facility settings. The national average Medicare reimbursement for 73721 is $200.22 for non-facility settings. For facility settings, the exact price data is not available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To check the exact amount for your MAC locality, you can use Medicare\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/physician-fee-schedule\/search?Y=0&amp;T=4&amp;HT=0&amp;CT=3&amp;H1=73721&amp;M=5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">PFS Lookup Tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wrapping Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With that said, let\u2019s wrap up this guide! In this blog, we have explained in detail what CPT code 73721 is, what modifiers you can use in your claims, and how to bill it correctly. By following the guidelines that we mentioned, you can avoid denials for 73721 and boost your revenue. Here is a quick recap of the features of 73721:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Procedure Type:<\/strong> Non-invasive diagnostic imaging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anatomical Focus:<\/strong> Lower extremity joints (hip, knee, ankle, foot)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contrast Status<\/strong>: Without contrast material<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Imaging Technology:<\/strong> Magnetic resonance imaging using magnetic fields and radio waves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you still find it challenging to handle medical coding and billing in-house, we recommend exploring professional <a href=\"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/specialties\/radiology-billing-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>radiology billing services<\/strong><\/a> offered by third-party billing companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you confident that your practice is getting the maximum possible reimbursement for the radiology claims? Probably not. Because 38% [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4318,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cpt-codes"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721.webp",1200,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721-150x150.webp",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721-300x180.webp",300,180,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721-768x461.webp",768,461,true],"large":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721.webp",1200,720,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CPT-Code-73721.webp",1200,720,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Fred Allen","author_link":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/author\/fred-allen\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Are you confident that your practice is getting the maximum possible reimbursement for the radiology claims? Probably not. Because 38% [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medibillmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}