Which payers have published criteria for MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast (CPT 73718)?

The imaging guidelines used by Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare include criteria that apply to this study. Whether a specific patient's plan requires prior authorization depends on the plan, so confirm on the payer's portal or by phone before scheduling.

Who reviews prior authorization requests for MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast (CPT 73718)?

Most commercial payers hand imaging reviews to a radiology benefit manager. For the payers tracked here, requests are reviewed using guidelines from eviCore, Carelon, CMS, UnitedHealthcare / eviCore. The request is submitted through that organization's portal rather than the health plan's general line.

What should be in the clinical notes before requesting MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast (CPT 73718)?

Reviewers look for a recent office visit that documents the symptoms and how long they have lasted, exam findings, results of any earlier imaging, treatments already tried and how the patient responded, and the specific question the study is expected to answer. The diagnosis code on the request should match what the notes describe.

How much does MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast (CPT 73718) cost?

Across 1,060 hospitals that publish their negotiated rates, the median commercial insurance rate is $1,133, with the middle half of rates between $571 and $2,074. A patient's own cost depends on their plan, deductible and where the study is done.

What can be done if MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast (CPT 73718) is denied?

Read the denial letter for the stated reason, then request a peer-to-peer conversation between the ordering clinician and the reviewing physician, which often resolves missing-information denials. If that fails, file a written appeal that answers the stated reason directly and attach the supporting notes. The denial letter lists the deadline and where to send the appeal.

CPT 73718: MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 73718

MRI imaging of the leg done without contrast dye.

MRI Leg, Hip & Knee

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Musculoskeletal Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Nerve and Neuromuscular Disorders (PNND) Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	22 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Imaging of the extremities effective Sep 19, 2026 Oncologic imaging effective Apr 4, 2026	35 that name this code
Cigna	eviCore	Musculoskeletal Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Peripheral Nerve and Neuromuscular Disorders (PNND) Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026 Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	22 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	NCD 220.2: Magnetic Resonance Imaging effective Apr 10, 2018	1 that name this code
Original Medicare does not run a prior authorization program for outpatient imaging; claims are judged against the coverage policies above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own prior authorization rules.
UnitedHealthcare	UnitedHealthcare / eviCore	Commercial and Exchange Cardiovascular and Radiology Imaging Guidelines 09.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	22 that name this code

Guidelines collected from the payers' published documents on September 29, 2026. Payers revise these documents during the year. Open the guideline link to confirm the current version before you submit.

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

These are the clinical situations where payer guidelines discuss MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Acute traumatic injuries –not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Avascular necrosis Anthem BCBS
Cancer screening, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Congenital or developmental anomalies of the extremity (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Fracture Anthem BCBS
Hemarthrosis Anthem BCBS
Histiocytic Neoplasms Anthem BCBS
Indeterminate bone lesion Anthem BCBS
Intra-articular loose body Anthem BCBS
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Knee arthroplasty, presurgical planning Anthem BCBS
Labral tear and femoral acetabular impingement – hip Anthem BCBS
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Ligament and tendon injury and rupture – foot and ankle Anthem BCBS
Ligament tear – knee Anthem BCBS
Lisfranc injury Anthem BCBS
Lower extremity pain, not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Meniscal tear/injury Anthem BCBS
Morton’s neuroma Anthem BCBS
Myositis Anthem BCBS
Neuroendocrine Tumors Anthem BCBS
Neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot joint) (Adult only) Anthem BCBS
Non-specific hip pain, including limping child (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Osteochondral lesion (including osteochondritis dissecans, transient dislocation of patella) Anthem BCBS
Osteomyelitis Anthem BCBS
Paget disease Anthem BCBS
Perioperative Imaging (including delayed hardware failure), not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Pigmented villonodular synovitis Anthem BCBS
Plantar fasciitis and fibromatosis Anthem BCBS
Septic arthritis Anthem BCBS
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (Pediatric only) Anthem BCBS
Soft tissue infection Anthem BCBS
Soft tissue mass – not otherwise specified Anthem BCBS
Tarsal coalition Anthem BCBS
Tarsal tunnel Anthem BCBS
Congenital Anomalies of the Foot and Lower Extremity Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Infection Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Neuromuscular Disorders Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Acute Limb Swelling Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Focal Neuropathy Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare

Plus 12 more. Use the search below to find a specific condition.

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$1,133

Middle half of rates: $571 to $2,074

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$244

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$224

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 1,060 hospitals; Medicare figures from CMS fee schedules. Rates vary widely by hospital and plan. Pricing data from CenterIQ.

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Payers update imaging guidelines several times a year. We will email you when the criteria for MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast change.

CPT 73718: MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

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CPT 73718: MRI leg (non-joint) without contrast - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

Related studies

Imaging CPT Code Coverage Lookup

Quick Access - Common Imaging CPT Codes

CT

MRI

MRA

PET