Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 71045: Chest Radiograph, Single View
CPT code 71045 denotes a single-view chest radiograph, a basic diagnostic imaging study used to evaluate the chest, lungs, heart borders, and adjacent structures. As one of the most commonly ordered radiologic examinations, single-view chest X-ray plays an important role in initial assessment for symptoms such as chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, and suspected pneumonia. Its low complexity and broad clinical utility make it a frequent component of emergency, outpatient, and inpatient imaging workflows nationwide.
This publication examines coverage and billing considerations for major national payers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of payer coverage patterns, common clinical indications tied to typical ICD-10 diagnoses, and connections to related chest radiography codes for multi-view studies. The report also outlines clinical context—when a single-view exam is used versus multi-view exams—and highlights typical sites of service where 71045 is performed.
Intended for billing managers, radiology administrators, and policy analysts, the content provides concise benchmarks, coding relationships, and clinical background to support accurate claim submission and administrative decision-making. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 71045 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 71045 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 71045 describes a diagnostic radiologic procedure consisting of a single radiographic view of the chest. The study is used for assessment of conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and adjacent structures.
-
Service type: Diagnostic radiology chest single-view
-
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology department, hospital radiology suite, or clinic imaging center
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Nationally, Medicare’s average allowed amount of $17.6 sits well below the BUCA commercial average of $68.1, indicating a substantial gap between public and this blended commercial benchmark for CPT 71045. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean of $101.1 and Cigna’s mean of $25.6 fall on different sides of BUCA’s level, while Aetna and UnitedHealth Group cluster nearer the lower commercial/mid range. This spread highlights a large separation between Medicare and higher commercial payers in mean allowed rates.
Dispersion measured as the interquartile spread (P75 minus P25) is widest for Blue Cross Blue Shield at $30.4 (P75 $118.8 minus P25 $85.4) and for BUCA at $28.0 (P75 $81.4 minus P25 $54.0), reflecting greater variability among negotiated commercial rates. The tightest interquartile ranges are Aetna at $22.0 and UnitedHealth Group at $16.1, with Cigna’s spread at $20.0; Medicare’s IQR is $15.0, indicating relatively concentrated locality variation compared with several commercial payers.