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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Procedures of the ChestCPT cpt-71120-sternum-two-view-radiograph
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    CPT 71120: Two-View Radiographic Study of Sternum

    Medicare pays $23 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 71120 describes a two-view radiological study of the sternum performed to evaluate the breastbone for fractures, deformities, masses, or other structural abnormalities; this diagnostic imaging service is an radiography (x-ray) procedure typically performed in an outpatient radiology department or imaging center and may also be obtained in an emergency department when clinically indicated.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle collision with localized anterior chest pain, tenderness over the sternum, and minimal external bruising. The emergency physician orders a two-view radiographic study of the sternum to evaluate for visible sternal fracture, displacement, or occult bony injury. The patient is registered, screened for pregnancy if applicable, and positioned upright if tolerable for standard lateral and anteroposterior or oblique views of the sternum. The radiologic technologist documents positioning and obtains the two views. Images are transmitted to the on-call radiologist, who interprets and issues a diagnostic report noting presence or absence of fracture, alignment, and any related osseous abnormality. The treating team uses the report to determine need for orthopedic or cardiothoracic consultation, further imaging (such as chest CT), or conservative management and discharge instructions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    71045Radiologic examination, chest single view, frontalOften performed alongside sternum radiographs to assess for associated thoracic injury or pneumothorax.
    71046Radiologic examination, chest 2 viewsMay be ordered when a more complete chest survey is needed beyond sternum-focused views.
    72120Radiologic examination, thoracic spine, 2 or 3 viewsPerformed when midline thoracic spine injury is suspected in conjunction with sternal trauma.
    72131Radiologic examination, thoracic spine, 4 or more viewsUsed when more extensive spinal imaging is required after initial assessment.
    72192Computed tomography, thorax, without contrastOrdered when radiographs are inconclusive and CT is needed to evaluate sternal fracture or mediastinal injury.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RT0003X
    176P00000X
    225600000X
    207RI0001X
    207ZM0300X
    3418M1130X
    1835C0206X
    225CA2500X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-71045-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-SINGLE-VIEW

    CPT 71045: Chest Radiologic Examination, Single View

    CPT-71046-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-MULTI-VIEW

    CPT 71046: Chest Radiologic Exam, Minimum Two Views

    CPT-71047-CHEST-RADIOGRAPH-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 71047: Chest Radiograph, Minimum Three Views

    CPT-71048-CHEST-RADIOGRAPHY-FOUR-VIEWS

    CPT 71048: Chest Radiography, Minimum Four Views

    CPT-71100-TWO-VIEW-UNILATERAL-RIB-RADIOGRAPH

    CPT 71100: Two-View Unilateral Radiographs of Ribs

    CPT-71101-THREE-VIEW-UNILATERAL-RIBS-STUDY-PA-CHEST

    CPT 71101: Three-View Unilateral Rib Radiographic Study

    CPT-71110-THREE-VIEW-BILATERAL-RIB-RADIOGRAPHS

    CPT 71110: Three-View Bilateral Rib Radiographs

    CPT-71111-RIBS-RADIOLOGICAL-STUDY-FOUR-VIEWS-CHEST-PA

    CPT 71111: Radiologic Study of Ribs with Chest View

    CPT-71130-STERNOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-RADIOGRAPHIC-THREE-VIEWS

    CPT 71130: Sternoclavicular Joint Radiography, Minimum Three Views

    CPT-71250-CT-THORAX-WITHOUT-CONTRAST

    CPT 71250: CT Thorax without Contrast

    Showing 1–10 of 18

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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