X-ray exam chest 1 view

What is CPT Code 71045?

A single-view chest X-ray. Commonly ordered to evaluate pneumonia, heart size, rib fractures, or foreign bodies. One of the most frequently performed imaging studies in both emergency and outpatient settings.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Radiologist (interpretation) + hospital or imaging center (technical)

Common Billing Errors for CPT 71045

• !Billed as 71046 (two views) when only one view was taken
• !Radiology interpretation billed separately from the facility fee without disclosure
• !Repeat chest X-rays during a single admission billed as separate encounters without medical necessity documentation

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 71045

1. 1A single-view chest X-ray has a Medicare rate under $25 for physician interpretation; $200+ on a chargemaster is highly negotiable
2. 2Check your imaging report — if it says 'PA and lateral' (two views), verify 71046 was billed, not 71045 billed twice
3. 3Imaging centers outside the hospital typically charge 50–80% less for the same study

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 71045 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 71045 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 71045 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 71045 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $26.28. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”