CPT 71046: Chest Radiologic Exam, Minimum Two Views
Medicare pays $23 and commercial payers pay $74 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 71046 describes a diagnostic radiologic study of the chest consisting of a minimum of two views, performed to evaluate the lungs, heart, chest wall, and adjacent structures; service type: diagnostic radiology – chest radiograph; typical site of service: radiology department or outpatient imaging center.
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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.