CPT 73221 is a medical code for Magnetic Resonance (Eg, Proton) Imaging, Any Joint Of Upper Extremity; Without Contrast Material(S). It is used for radiology procedures and diagnostic radiology.

How does CPT 73221 compare to other diagnostic radiology codes?

The CPT 73221 code is part of the Radiology Procedures services used for Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements. It involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.

CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. CPT codes are a set of medical codes used by physicians, allied health professionals, nonphysician practitioners, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities to describe the services and procedures they perform. They are essential for billing, processing claims, and tracking medical data.

How can I find the cost of a specific medical procedure?

To find the specific cost of a medical procedure tailored to your situation, including your location and the CPT code, you can utilize specialized tools. Payerprice offers a fee schedule lookup tool that allows users to search with a CPT code and specific location to obtain detailed pricing information. You can also contact your insurance provider directly for an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or the healthcare facility for an an estimated bill, but Payerprice can offer more immediate and comparative data.

Why do medical costs vary so much?

Medical costs can vary significantly due to a multitude of factors. These include geographic location, the specific healthcare provider or facility (e.g., hospital vs. independent clinic), whether the provider is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance, the complexity of the procedure, and different insurance contracts and negotiated rates. Tools like Payerprice can help you understand and navigate these variations by providing transparent pricing data for specific CPT codes in different areas.

What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers?

In-network providers have a contract with your health insurance plan to provide services at pre-negotiated rates, typically resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for you. Out-of-network providers do not have such contracts, meaning you may pay a higher percentage of the cost, and some services might not be covered at all. Your deductible and coinsurance rates are usually higher for out-of-network care. When comparing costs for different providers and understanding potential out-of-pocket expenses, tools like Payerprice can help you research pricing for specific CPT codes regardless of network status.

CPT 73221 Fee Schedule

Last Verified: September 2026

Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.

Mri Of An Arm Joint, An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Uses A Strong Magnetic Field To View And Create Images Of A Shoulder Elbow Or Wrist Joint. A Contrast Agent May Be Introduced To Highlight An Area. Multiple Images May Be Taken.

Key Fact	Detail
Service Type	Radiology Procedures Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures
Common Place of Service	11 - Office 22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital
Common Modifiers	None RT - Right side of body LT - Left side of body
Complexity Level	Moderate
Medicare Fee Schedule	View Medicare rates for 73221
Medicaid Fee Schedule	View Medicaid rates for 73221

National average reimbursement for CPT 73221 by major payers:

$303.05

$364.01

$453.14

$403.12

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CPT 73221

5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview

North Star Gv, Lp, North Star Diagnostic Imaging
TXRadiology Clinic/CenterNPI 1922512664Tax ID 82-3429622
$1,200.00Published rate
Hannu Huhdanpaa
WANeuroradiology PhysicianNPI 1780903773Tax ID 91-0214500
$362.58Published rate
Jason Liou
Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.
VAPhysical TherapistNPI 1437869229Tax ID 54-1383504
$198.48Published rate
Kelly Ridges
Allergy & Asthma Of Dupage, S.C.
ILFamily Nurse PractitionerNPI 1851768337Tax ID 36-2925195
$108.59Published rate
Purvak Patel
TXDiagnostic Radiology PhysicianNPI 1528293842Tax ID 93-0508781
$59.81Published rate

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Summit Women's CareDenver, Colorado

September 2, 2026

Contracting Manager
UnitedHealthcare
Commercial PPO

Re: Request for fee schedule renegotiation

We request a formal review of our Commercial PPO fee schedule. The comparison below summarizes our current rate alongside published rates for comparable Denver-area practices.

Market evidence · CPT 59485

Current rate: $152.40
Market median: $147.00
Market position: 61st percentile

The comparison includes 1,284 published rates from 96 provider groups, scoped to OB/GYN providers in a professional, office-based setting.

We would welcome a discussion of our fee schedule and the supporting July 2026 market analysis. Please let us know a suitable time to review the comparison together.

Sincerely,
Summit Women's Care

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CPT 73221 vs. Other Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures Codes

The CPT 73221 code is part of the Radiology Procedures services used for Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.

The CPT 73221 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.

Code	Complexity	Description
73218-CPT	Moderate	Mri Of An Arm, An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Uses A Strong Magnetic Field To View And Create Images Of One Or Both Arms. A Contrast Agent May Be Introduced To Highlight An Area. Multiple Images May Be Taken.
73221-CPT	Moderate	Mri Of An Arm Joint, An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Uses A Strong Magnetic Field To View And Create Images Of A Shoulder Elbow Or Wrist Joint. A Contrast Agent May Be Introduced To Highlight An Area. Multiple Images May Be Taken.
73222-CPT	Moderate	Mri Of An Arm Joint, An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Uses A Strong Magnetic Field To View And Create Images Of A Shoulder Elbow Or Wrist Joint. A Contrast Agent May Be Introduced To Highlight An Area. Multiple Images May Be Taken.
73223-CPT	Moderate	Mri Of An Arm Joint, An Mri (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Uses A Strong Magnetic Field To View And Create Images Of An Arm Joint. A Contrast Agent May Be Introduced To Highlight Areas. Multiple Images May Be Taken.

What is a fee schedule?

A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 73221. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.

Understanding the 73221 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.

Factors that affect fee schedules

Medicare & Medicaid Rates

Government-set reimbursement amounts

Private Insurance Rates

Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies

Geographic Location

Costs may be higher in urban areas.

Provider Type

Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.

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CPT 73221 Fee Schedule

Compare published rates across providers.

North Star Gv, Lp, North Star Diagnostic Imaging

Hannu Huhdanpaa

Jason Liou

Kelly Ridges

Purvak Patel