CPT code 71111: Rib X-ray2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports bilateral rib radiography with a chest view when evaluating focal rib pain, suspected fracture, or injury and at least four views are obtained.
Medicare pays $47.76–$53.67 for 71111 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont to Austin. 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 71111 covers
This examination uses X-rays to assess both sides of the rib cage and includes a chest view, with four or more views obtained. It is commonly ordered for focal rib pain or chest-wall injury, including after trauma, when the clinician needs to assess the ribs on both sides. A radiologic technologist performs the imaging, and a radiologist or other qualified physician interprets the images in settings such as an emergency department, outpatient imaging center, or physician office.
Choose this code when the study covers both sides and includes the chest view with at least four views; a unilateral study or a bilateral study with fewer views belongs to a different code. The order and imaging record should support the clinical indication, bilateral examination, and views performed. The global service includes both image acquisition and interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical service. The code is priced for bilateral imaging, so modifier 50 does not increase payment.
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 71111 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$47.76 to $53.67
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $53.67 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont | $47.76 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria | $50.94 | Unavailable |
| Dallas | $51.23 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | $50.84 | Unavailable |
| Galveston | $51.07 | Unavailable |
| Houston | $51.62 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | $49.30 | Unavailable |
How the 71111 rate is calculated
Each of 71111’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 · 71111
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.31
0.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.20
1.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.5400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$51.44
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 71111
The CMS indicators that decide how 71111 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 71111
Rib 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) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| 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
71111 without 26 · national office
$51.44
Rib X-ray
71111-26 · Professional component
$15.03
Pays only the interpretation and report.
71111 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 71110Rib X-ray
- 71110 is for bilateral rib imaging with fewer views. Select 71111 when the study includes a chest view and at least four views are obtained.
- 71101Rib X-ray
- 71101 covers a unilateral rib study with chest imaging; 71111 is for bilateral rib imaging with the required view count.
- 71046Chest X-ray
- 71046 is a chest examination rather than dedicated bilateral rib imaging. Choose 71111 when both rib cages are specifically imaged along with a chest view.
71111 billing questions
When is this code preferable to 71110?
Use this code for bilateral rib imaging that includes a chest view and has at least four views. Code 71110 describes a bilateral rib study with fewer views.
Can a separate chest X-ray be billed for the included chest view?
The chest view is part of this rib examination. Do not report a separate chest study for the same view; a separately performed study must represent distinct imaging.
Which modifiers identify the professional and technical services?
Use modifier 26 for the physician's interpretation and modifier TC for the equipment and staff service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
The code is already priced for bilateral imaging, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
What documentation supports selecting this code?
The record should show the clinical reason for imaging, examination of both sides, inclusion of the chest view, and the number of views obtained.
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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