CPT 73706Radiology

Ct angio lwr extr w/o&w/dye

CPT 73706 covers a CT angiography of the lower extremity performed both without and with contrast dye, creating detailed images of leg arteries and blood vessels. This advanced imaging helps diagnose blood clots, blockages, aneurysms, and circulation problems in the legs.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$317.97

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

1.9

PE RVU (NF)

7.79

MP RVU

0.14

Total RVU

9.83

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

Loading bundling edits…

Billing tips

Always document both the non-contrast and contrast phases explicitly in the radiology report to support the 'without and with' component of 73706
Impact: Prevents downcoding to 73700 (without contrast, $208.75) or 73701 (with contrast only), protecting $109.22 in reimbursement per claim
Verify that the ordering physician documented medical necessity for both contrast phases, as some payers require specific clinical indications for dual-phase imaging
Impact: Prevents denial for lack of medical necessity; appeals of medical necessity denials have only 30-40% success rate
When bilateral lower extremity imaging is performed, ensure documentation specifies both limbs were imaged; 73706 includes bilateral imaging without requiring modifier 50
Impact: Prevents undercoding to unilateral study or incorrect modifier usage that triggers automatic denials
Submit claims with specific ICD-10 codes for vascular pathology (I70.2xx series for PAD, I74.3 for acute arterial occlusion) rather than generic symptom codes
Impact: Improves first-pass acceptance rate by 25-30% and reduces medical review requests that delay payment 30-60 days
Do not bill 73706 on the same day as 73725 (CTA of lower extremity without contrast or other CT lower extremity codes) unless anatomically distinct areas or separate clinical indications are documented
Impact: Prevents NCCI bundling edits and automatic denials; if both are clinically necessary, modifier 59 must be supported by documentation
For hospital outpatient settings, ensure the facility bills 73706 on the hospital claim while the radiologist bills separately with modifier 26 to avoid duplicate denials

Live Field Datano reports yet

Real billers contribute denial patterns and appeal strategies for this code. Once 5+ reports come in, you’ll see live aggregated data here — the only place this exists, free.

Working with CPT 73706?

Get the free Revenue Protection Toolkit — the denial triggers, modifier pitfalls, and bundling conflicts that quietly cost you reimbursement. Instant download.

Help build the field knowledge

MedPayIQ gets smarter as billers contribute. If you've had this code denied, share what happened so others learn from it. Anonymous, no patient info.

Related actions

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement rate for CPT 73706 in 2025?

The 2025 Medicare national average payment for CPT 73706 is $317.97 for both facility and non-facility settings. This is based on a total RVU of 9.83 and the 2025 conversion factor of 32.3465. Actual payment may vary by geographic locality based on the GPCI adjustment factors.

What is the difference between CPT 73706, 73700, and 73701?

CPT 73706 is CT angiography of the lower extremity performed both without and with contrast dye (dual-phase protocol). CPT 73700 is CT of the lower extremity without contrast material only. CPT 73701 is CT of the lower extremity with contrast material only. The key distinction is that 73706 requires documentation of both pre-contrast and post-contrast imaging phases, while the others involve only one phase.

Can CPT 73706 be billed bilaterally with modifier 50?

No, CPT 73706 is typically considered a bilateral procedure by default and already includes imaging of both lower extremities when medically appropriate. Modifier 50 should not be appended. If only one extremity is imaged, this should be documented and modifier RT or LT may be used for specificity, though payment typically remains the same as the code allows for bilateral imaging.

How many RVUs is CPT code 73706 worth in 2025?

CPT 73706 has a total of 9.83 RVUs in 2025, consisting of 1.9 work RVUs, 7.79 practice expense RVUs (both facility and non-facility), and 0.14 malpractice RVUs. These are the values published in the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule RVU25A released December 23, 2024.

What diagnosis codes support medical necessity for CPT 73706?

Common supporting diagnoses include peripheral arterial disease (I70.2xx series), acute arterial embolism and thrombosis of lower extremity (I74.3), atherosclerosis of native arteries with claudication (I70.21x), aneurysm of lower extremity artery (I72.4), traumatic vascular injury (S75.xx, S85.xx series), and pre-operative evaluation for vascular procedures. Documentation should clearly link the clinical indication to the need for CT angiography.

Do I need prior authorization for CPT 73706?

Prior authorization requirements vary by payer and patient plan. Medicare Advantage plans and many commercial insurers require prior authorization for advanced imaging including CT angiography. Original Medicare does not require prior authorization but does require medical necessity documentation. Always verify authorization requirements with the specific payer before scheduling the procedure to avoid denials.

Can CPT 73706 be billed with an E/M service on the same day?

Yes, CPT 73706 can be billed with an E/M service on the same day if the E/M represents a separately identifiable service beyond the decision to order the imaging. Append modifier 25 to the E/M code if billing for the evaluation that led to ordering the CTA. However, the radiologist interpreting the study would not typically bill an E/M service; they bill only the interpretation (professional component with modifier 26 or the complete service depending on setting).