Billing code 71046: Chest X-rayMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
A two-view chest radiograph, usually frontal and lateral, is reported to evaluate symptoms or findings such as cough, dyspnea, chest pain, or suspected pneumonia.
Medicare pays $31.23–$34.32 for 71046 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Suburban Chicago. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 9 sections
What 71046 covers
This study captures two distinct radiographic projections of the chest, classically a standing posteroanterior (PA) view and a left lateral view. It shows the lungs, heart, mediastinum, pleural spaces, diaphragm, and bony thorax. Common reasons for the study include suspected pneumonia, persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart failure follow-up, and suspected pleural effusion. Radiologic technologists acquire the images in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers, urgent care clinics, and physician offices. A radiologist or other qualified physician interprets the images and issues a written report.
Select 71046 by the number of distinct chest projections obtained, not their orientation; AP and lateral views also qualify. The image record and signed interpretation should support two views and document the findings. CMS prices this diagnostic test by component: modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the equipment, staff, and supplies used to produce the images. Billing without either modifier represents the global service when the billing entity furnishes both components. For a hospital study, the interpreting physician typically bills with modifier 26, while the hospital bills for producing the images.
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 71046 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$31.23 to $34.32
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $34.11 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $31.71 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $31.23 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $34.32 | Unavailable |
How the 71046 rate is calculated
Each of 71046’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.
How the rate is built · 71046
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 0.21Practice expense 0.76Malpractice 0.02
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 71046
The CMS indicators that decide how 71046 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 71046
Chest X-ray
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
71046 without 26 · national office
$33.07
Chest X-ray
71046-26 · Professional component
$10.02
Pays only the interpretation and report.
71046 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
71046 vs 71045 vs 71047 vs 71048 vs 71101: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 71045Chest X-ray
- Report 71045 when only one chest projection is obtained, often a portable AP image; report 71046 when two distinct chest projections are documented.
- 71047Chest X-ray
- Use 71047 when a third distinct chest projection, such as an oblique or apical lordotic view, is obtained.
- 71048Chest X-ray
- Use 71048 when four or more distinct chest projections are obtained, such as PA, lateral, and bilateral oblique views.
- 71101Rib X-ray
- 71101 covers unilateral rib imaging that includes a PA chest view. Choose it for a documented unilateral rib series rather than counting its chest image as a two-view chest study.
71046 billing questions
Does the code require PA and lateral views specifically?
No. Selection is based on two distinct chest projections; AP and lateral views also qualify.
What if the technologist repeats an image because the first was suboptimal?
A repeat exposure of the same projection for technical quality is not another view. Count distinct projections when choosing among 71045, 71046, 71047, and 71048.
When is modifier 26 appended?
Append modifier 26 when the physician bills only for interpreting the images, such as a radiologist reading a hospital study. Modifier TC identifies the technical component when it is billed separately under the physician fee schedule.
Can a treating physician bill an interpretation if a radiologist also reads the film?
Medicare generally pays for one medically necessary interpretation of a chest study. A separately billed interpretation requires a written report; a brief image review documented only in an E/M note is part of that visit.
Do dedicated rib or spine images count as chest views?
No. Dedicated rib, sternum, and thoracic spine images are not counted as additional views of a two-view chest study.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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