CPT 71250: CT scan of the chest without contrast. What Medicare pays and what to ask
A chest CT is a frequent large line on ER and hospital bills. Here is what 71250 covers and the Medicare rate.
What this code means
CPT 71250 is a CT scan of the chest without contrast dye. The versions with contrast use 71260 and 71270.
It is used to look at the lungs, airways and the structures of the chest.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
The Medicare rate is the global amount, covering the scan and the radiologist's reading. Bills often split them, so compare the total of the hospital and the radiology group.
A scan done with contrast has a different code and a separate charge for the contrast.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $663.00 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $1,326.00 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $2,652.00 |
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
- Was the scan done with or without contrast, and does the code match?
- Is the radiologist's reading billed separately?
- Is the scan billed only once for this visit?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
Related codes
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.