Report 71046 for two distinct chest projections, such as frontal and lateral. A lone portable AP view remains 71045.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
71045 in Merced
Office / nonfacility
$26.97
Base rate per service
Facility setting
Not available in this setting
Base rate per service
Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.
Radiology
About 71045: Single-view chest radiograph
A chest radiograph limited to one projection, often a portable AP view, reported to assess tube position, suspected pneumothorax, or changing lung findings.
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.
CMS billing rules for 71045
- Professional and technical components
- Diagnostic test with a professional component (modifier 26, interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, equipment and staff); billing without a modifier is the global service.
Where the value comes from
- Work RVU0.18 · 24%
- Practice expense (office) RVU0.56 · 74%
- Malpractice RVU0.02 · 3%
12.7M
Medicare services in 2024 · #16 by national volume
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.
71045 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Merced, from the same CMS release.
Report 71047 for three distinct chest views. Repeat exposures of the same view do not increase the view count.
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.
The same code, a different location
How does Merced compare?
In Bakersfield, the office rate for 71045 is $27.03—$0.06 higher than the $26.97 rate in Merced. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.
71045 across payment areas
Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0
Merced · This locality
$26.97
$27.03
$0.06 higher than Merced
$26.97
The same base rate than Merced
$26.98
$0.01 higher than Merced
$26.97
The same base rate than Merced
$26.97
The same base rate than Merced
$1.86 higher than Merced
Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.
Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 71045 ranges from $22.42 in Arkansas to $34.00 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.
The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.
Compare all 108 other payment areas
Madera
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Modesto
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Napa
California · 71045
Office
$31.38
Facility
Unavailable
$4.41 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
California · 71045
Office
$28.71
Facility
Unavailable
$1.74 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Redding
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of California
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
California · 71045
Office
$27.19
Facility
Unavailable
$0.22 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
California · 71045
Office
$28.34
Facility
Unavailable
$1.37 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Salinas
California · 71045
Office
$28.24
Facility
Unavailable
$1.27 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
California · 71045
Office
$28.93
Facility
Unavailable
$1.96 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)
California · 71045
Office
$33.26
Facility
Unavailable
$6.29 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)
California · 71045
Office
$33.24
Facility
Unavailable
$6.27 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)
California · 71045
Office
$34.00
Facility
Unavailable
$7.03 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)
California · 71045
Office
$33.91
Facility
Unavailable
$6.94 higher than Merced for the office setting.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
California · 71045
Office
$27.78
Facility
Unavailable
$0.81 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
California · 71045
Office
$29.22
Facility
Unavailable
$2.25 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
California · 71045
Office
$28.35
Facility
Unavailable
$1.38 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
California · 71045
Office
$29.52
Facility
Unavailable
$2.55 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Stockton
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Vallejo
California · 71045
Office
$31.35
Facility
Unavailable
$4.38 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Visalia
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Yuba City
California · 71045
Office
$26.97
Facility
Unavailable
The same base rate than Merced for the office setting.
Dc + Md/Va Suburbs
District of Columbia · 71045
Office
$29.11
Facility
Unavailable
$2.14 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Miami
Florida · 71045
Office
$27.17
Facility
Unavailable
$0.20 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Chicago
Illinois · 71045
Office
$26.39
Facility
Unavailable
$0.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Manhattan
New York · 71045
Office
$29.19
Facility
Unavailable
$2.22 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alaska*
Alaska · 71045
Office
$29.31
Facility
Unavailable
$2.34 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Alabama
Alabama · 71045
Office
$22.76
Facility
Unavailable
$4.21 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arkansas
Arkansas · 71045
Office
$22.42
Facility
Unavailable
$4.55 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Arizona
Arizona · 71045
Office
$24.71
Facility
Unavailable
$2.26 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Colorado
Colorado · 71045
Office
$26.51
Facility
Unavailable
$0.46 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Connecticut
Connecticut · 71045
Office
$27.09
Facility
Unavailable
$0.12 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Delaware
Delaware · 71045
Office
$25.12
Facility
Unavailable
$1.85 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida · 71045
Office
$26.17
Facility
Unavailable
$0.80 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Florida
Florida · 71045
Office
$24.90
Facility
Unavailable
$2.07 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Atlanta
Georgia · 71045
Office
$25.84
Facility
Unavailable
$1.13 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Georgia
Georgia · 71045
Office
$23.49
Facility
Unavailable
$3.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Hawaii, Guam
Hawaii · 71045
Office
$27.67
Facility
Unavailable
$0.70 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Iowa
Iowa · 71045
Office
$23.39
Facility
Unavailable
$3.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Idaho
Idaho · 71045
Office
$23.54
Facility
Unavailable
$3.43 lower than Merced for the office setting.
East St. Louis
Illinois · 71045
Office
$24.57
Facility
Unavailable
$2.40 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Illinois
Illinois · 71045
Office
$24.13
Facility
Unavailable
$2.84 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Suburban Chicago
Illinois · 71045
Office
$26.45
Facility
Unavailable
$0.52 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Indiana
Indiana · 71045
Office
$23.68
Facility
Unavailable
$3.29 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kansas
Kansas · 71045
Office
$23.26
Facility
Unavailable
$3.71 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Kentucky
Kentucky · 71045
Office
$23.25
Facility
Unavailable
$3.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Orleans
Louisiana · 71045
Office
$24.37
Facility
Unavailable
$2.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Louisiana
Louisiana · 71045
Office
$23.21
Facility
Unavailable
$3.76 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Boston
Massachusetts · 71045
Office
$29.19
Facility
Unavailable
$2.22 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 71045
Office
$26.34
Facility
Unavailable
$0.63 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Baltimore/Surr. Cntys
Maryland · 71045
Office
$27.00
Facility
Unavailable
$0.03 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maryland
Maryland · 71045
Office
$25.61
Facility
Unavailable
$1.36 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Maine
Maine · 71045
Office
$23.64
Facility
Unavailable
$3.33 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Southern Maine
Maine · 71045
Office
$24.97
Facility
Unavailable
$2.00 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Detroit
Michigan · 71045
Office
$25.19
Facility
Unavailable
$1.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Michigan
Michigan · 71045
Office
$23.84
Facility
Unavailable
$3.13 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Minnesota
Minnesota · 71045
Office
$25.46
Facility
Unavailable
$1.51 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Kansas City
Missouri · 71045
Office
$24.23
Facility
Unavailable
$2.74 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri · 71045
Office
$24.49
Facility
Unavailable
$2.48 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Missouri
Missouri · 71045
Office
$22.79
Facility
Unavailable
$4.18 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Mississippi
Mississippi · 71045
Office
$22.61
Facility
Unavailable
$4.36 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Montana**
Montana · 71045
Office
$25.38
Facility
Unavailable
$1.59 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Carolina
North Carolina · 71045
Office
$23.89
Facility
Unavailable
$3.08 lower than Merced for the office setting.
North Dakota**
North Dakota · 71045
Office
$24.99
Facility
Unavailable
$1.98 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nebraska
Nebraska · 71045
Office
$23.53
Facility
Unavailable
$3.44 lower than Merced for the office setting.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire · 71045
Office
$26.07
Facility
Unavailable
$0.90 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Northern Nj
New Jersey · 71045
Office
$28.80
Facility
Unavailable
$1.83 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New Jersey
New Jersey · 71045
Office
$27.41
Facility
Unavailable
$0.44 higher than Merced for the office setting.
New Mexico
New Mexico · 71045
Office
$23.97
Facility
Unavailable
$3.00 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nevada**
Nevada · 71045
Office
$25.29
Facility
Unavailable
$1.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Nyc Suburbs/Long Island
New York · 71045
Office
$29.88
Facility
Unavailable
$2.91 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs
New York · 71045
Office
$27.57
Facility
Unavailable
$0.60 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Queens
New York · 71045
Office
$29.47
Facility
Unavailable
$2.50 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of New York
New York · 71045
Office
$24.25
Facility
Unavailable
$2.72 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Ohio
Ohio · 71045
Office
$23.76
Facility
Unavailable
$3.21 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma · 71045
Office
$23.23
Facility
Unavailable
$3.74 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Portland
Oregon · 71045
Office
$27.39
Facility
Unavailable
$0.42 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Oregon
Oregon · 71045
Office
$25.11
Facility
Unavailable
$1.86 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Metropolitan Philadelphia
Pennsylvania · 71045
Office
$26.39
Facility
Unavailable
$0.58 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 71045
Office
$23.81
Facility
Unavailable
$3.16 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · 71045
Office
$25.58
Facility
Unavailable
$1.39 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 71045
Office
$26.04
Facility
Unavailable
$0.93 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Carolina
South Carolina · 71045
Office
$23.86
Facility
Unavailable
$3.11 lower than Merced for the office setting.
South Dakota**
South Dakota · 71045
Office
$24.94
Facility
Unavailable
$2.03 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Tennessee
Tennessee · 71045
Office
$23.37
Facility
Unavailable
$3.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Austin
Texas · 71045
Office
$26.41
Facility
Unavailable
$0.56 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Beaumont
Texas · 71045
Office
$23.65
Facility
Unavailable
$3.32 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Brazoria
Texas · 71045
Office
$25.12
Facility
Unavailable
$1.85 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Dallas
Texas · 71045
Office
$25.27
Facility
Unavailable
$1.70 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Fort Worth
Texas · 71045
Office
$25.09
Facility
Unavailable
$1.88 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Galveston
Texas · 71045
Office
$25.19
Facility
Unavailable
$1.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Houston
Texas · 71045
Office
$25.55
Facility
Unavailable
$1.42 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Texas
Texas · 71045
Office
$24.37
Facility
Unavailable
$2.60 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Utah
Utah · 71045
Office
$24.19
Facility
Unavailable
$2.78 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virginia
Virginia · 71045
Office
$24.87
Facility
Unavailable
$2.10 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands · 71045
Office
$25.58
Facility
Unavailable
$1.39 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Vermont
Vermont · 71045
Office
$24.87
Facility
Unavailable
$2.10 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Rest Of Washington
Washington · 71045
Office
$26.29
Facility
Unavailable
$0.68 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Seattle (King Cnty)
Washington · 71045
Office
$29.81
Facility
Unavailable
$2.84 higher than Merced for the office setting.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 71045
Office
$24.14
Facility
Unavailable
$2.83 lower than Merced for the office setting.
West Virginia
West Virginia · 71045
Office
$23.22
Facility
Unavailable
$3.75 lower than Merced for the office setting.
Wyoming**
Wyoming · 71045
Office
$25.21
Facility
Unavailable
$1.76 lower than Merced for the office setting.
See how rates vary across the country
71045 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$22.42
$30.49
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View all state and territory rates as a table
| State / territory | Rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $29.31 | 1 |
| AL | $22.76 | 1 |
| AR | $22.42 | 1 |
| AZ | $24.71 | 1 |
| CA | $26.97–$34.00 | 29 |
| CO | $26.51 | 1 |
| CT | $27.09 | 1 |
| DC | $29.11 | 1 |
| DE | $25.12 | 1 |
| FL | $24.90–$27.17 | 3 |
| GA | $23.49–$25.84 | 2 |
| GU | $27.67 | 1 |
| HI | $27.67 | 1 |
| IA | $23.39 | 1 |
| ID | $23.54 | 1 |
| IL | $24.13–$26.45 | 4 |
| IN | $23.68 | 1 |
| KS | $23.26 | 1 |
| KY | $23.25 | 1 |
| LA | $23.21–$24.37 | 2 |
| MA | $26.34–$29.19 | 2 |
| MD | $25.61–$29.11 | 3 |
| ME | $23.64–$24.97 | 2 |
| MI | $23.84–$25.19 | 2 |
| MN | $25.46 | 1 |
| MO | $22.79–$24.49 | 3 |
| MS | $22.61 | 1 |
| MT | $25.38 | 1 |
| NC | $23.89 | 1 |
| ND | $24.99 | 1 |
| NE | $23.53 | 1 |
| NH | $26.07 | 1 |
| NJ | $27.41–$28.80 | 2 |
| NM | $23.97 | 1 |
| NV | $25.29 | 1 |
| NY | $24.25–$29.88 | 5 |
| OH | $23.76 | 1 |
| OK | $23.23 | 1 |
| OR | $25.11–$27.39 | 2 |
| PA | $23.81–$26.39 | 2 |
| PR | $25.58 | 1 |
| RI | $26.04 | 1 |
| SC | $23.86 | 1 |
| SD | $24.94 | 1 |
| TN | $23.37 | 1 |
| TX | $23.65–$26.41 | 8 |
| UT | $24.19 | 1 |
| VA | $24.87–$29.11 | 2 |
| VI | $25.58 | 1 |
| VT | $24.87 | 1 |
| WA | $26.29–$29.81 | 2 |
| WI | $24.14 | 1 |
| WV | $23.22 | 1 |
| WY | $25.21 | 1 |
Where does this rate apply?
Merced is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.
Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.
Use this rate
What is a percentage of Medicare worth?
Turn a percentage into dollars for 71045 in Merced. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.
Reference amount per service
$29.67
$26.97 × 110% = $29.67
A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.
Working with a whole code list?
Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.
How this local rate is calculated
Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 71045 in Merced.
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,880
- Code
- 71045
- Physician work
- 0.18
- Practice expense
- 0.56
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
15
- Locality
- Merced
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.18 | × 1.017 | 0.1831 |
| Practice expense | 0.56 | × 1.096 | 0.6138 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.536 | 0.0107 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8075 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office / nonfacility rate, Merced$26.97
Open 71045 in the RVU calculator →
Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula
Office / nonfacility
| Component | RVU | Local GPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 0.18 | 1.017 |
| Practice expense | 0.56 | 1.096 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | 0.536 |
(0.18 × 1.017 + 0.56 × 1.096 + 0.02 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $26.97
The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.
How this rate has changed
71045 · Office / nonfacility
$26.97
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.20 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $26.77 to $26.97 (0.7%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$26.77changed to$26.97
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.58 changed to 0.56
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
Earliest loaded release: $26.77
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →
Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.
Inspect every release and its CMS source
| Effective from | Office / nonfacility | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $26.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $26.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $26.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $26.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $26.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $26.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $26.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $26.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
71045 billing questions
Does a single lateral or decubitus view still report as this code?
Yes. One chest projection, whether frontal, lateral, or decubitus, is reported with 71045. Two distinct views call for 71046.
How are multiple portable chest films on the same day reported?
Separate medically necessary single-view examinations may each be reported when the order, acquisition, interpretation, and exam times establish distinct studies; repeat exposures within one exam do not create additional units. When appropriate, modifier 76 identifies a repeat by the same physician and 77 a repeat by another physician.
Which modifier does a radiologist use when reading an inpatient or ED film?
Use modifier 26 for the interpretation when the hospital provides the equipment and staff. An unmodified claim represents both the technical and professional components.
Can the physician who placed a central line bill the confirmation chest X-ray?
The placing physician may report the professional component if they personally interpret the film and issue a separate, signed diagnostic report. A tip-position note in the insertion record alone is insufficient, and the same interpretation cannot be billed by both that physician and a radiologist.
Are portable equipment transport charges included?
An eligible portable X-ray supplier may separately report transport for one patient with R0070 and equipment setup with Q0092 when those services are furnished. Those supplier transport and setup codes are not used for a hospital portable film.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.
Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.
