Billing code 71045: Chest X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $25.38 for 71045 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $22.42–$34.00.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 71045 covers

This study obtains one projection of the chest, often an anteroposterior view taken with a portable unit at the bedside in an ICU, emergency department, or post-anesthesia unit. Common reasons include assessing endotracheal tube, central venous catheter, or feeding tube position; evaluating suspected pneumothorax after a procedure; and following a clinically significant change in pneumonia, effusion, or pulmonary edema. A radiologic technologist acquires the image, and a radiologist or other physician interprets it and issues a written report.

Code selection depends on the number of distinct views obtained, not the reason for the exam. One projection of any orientation qualifies; additional views call for the appropriate multiview chest code. The technical component, billed with modifier TC, covers equipment, staff, and image acquisition. The professional component, billed with modifier 26, covers interpretation and reporting. A hospital-based radiologist bills the professional component when the hospital provides the technical resources. An office or imaging center providing both components bills the global service without a component modifier. The order, recorded view, and signed findings support the reported service.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 71045 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

71045 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 71045 rate is calculated

Each of 71045’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 71045

The CMS indicators that decide how 71045 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

71045 compared with similar codes

How to choose

71046Chest X-ray

Report 71046 for two distinct chest projections, such as frontal and lateral. A lone portable AP view remains 71045.

71047Chest X-ray

Report 71047 for three distinct chest views. Repeat exposures of the same view do not increase the view count.

71250Chest CT

71250 produces cross-sectional CT images without contrast; 71045 is a single plain-film projection. If both are performed, each needs its own clinical justification and documented interpretation.

Codes related to 71045

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates