CPT 71045: chest X-ray, 1 view. What Medicare pays and what to ask
A single-view chest X-ray. Here is what 71045 covers and the national Medicare rate.
What this code means
CPT 71045 is a chest X-ray with a single view, usually a front-facing image.
It is common in emergency rooms for a quick look at the lungs and heart.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
The Medicare rate is the global amount, covering both the technical part and the radiologist's reading.
A separate charge for the reading may appear from the radiology group.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $126.90 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $253.80 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $507.60 |
The Medicare rate is a published benchmark, not a legal ceiling on what a provider may charge. Our free scan flags a line as worth a closer look when it is billed at more than 10 times the Medicare rate.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- Did the exam have one view or two, and does the code match?
- Is the radiologist's reading billed separately, and by whom?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
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Source: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS, July 2026 release), national payment amount, non-facility setting. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rates change each year and a hospital bill can include charges that the benchmark does not cover.