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CPT 71046: Chest Radiograph, Minimum Two Views
CPT code 71046 denotes a diagnostic chest radiograph consisting of a minimum of two views and is commonly used to evaluate lung disease, chest pain, trauma, and other thoracic conditions. As a widely used imaging service, this code matters nationally because chest radiography is a first‑line, cost‑sensitive tool in acute and chronic respiratory and cardiac care pathways, impacting clinical decision making and resource utilization across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Key payers included in this review are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of payer coverage patterns and common billing considerations tied to CPT code 71046, contextual clinical indications, and comparisons to closely related chest radiography codes. The discussion highlights how the code fits into typical service lines—diagnostic radiology in hospital imaging suites, outpatient radiology centers, and emergency departments—and notes common clinical scenarios that prompt use, such as suspected pneumonia, unspecified chest pain, and COPD exacerbations.
The publication provides practical benchmarks and policy context relevant to claims processing and coding clarity, explains distinctions between adjacent CPT chest radiography codes, and summarizes typical places of service where 71046 is billed. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 71046 describes a diagnostic radiologic examination of the chest using a minimum of two radiographic views. The procedure is performed to assess conditions affecting the chest, its internal contents (including lungs and heart), and adjacent structures.
Service type: Diagnostic radiology—chest X‑ray, multi‑view study
Typical site of service: Radiology department, outpatient imaging center, or hospital imaging suite
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National means show a clear split: Medicare’s mean of $22.9 sits well below BUCA’s commercial-average mean of $74, reflecting a roughly $51.1 gap between government and the average commercial benchmark for CPT 71046. Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group have means closer to BUCA, while Aetna and Cigna are nearer to Medicare’s level, positioning payers across a spectrum of reimbursement intensity.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75–P25) varies meaningfully: Blue Cross Blue Shield is the widest with a $35.7 spread, followed by Aetna at $24.8 and UnitedHealth Group at $20.3. Cigna’s spread is $26.8. BUCA’s IQR is $26.1 and Medicare’s IQR is $22. Differences in these ranges highlight where commercial rates are most variable versus the tighter clustering seen with Medicare.