CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
71046 — Chest X-ray, two views (PA + lateral)
Standard two-view chest X-ray (front + side). Workhorse imaging study for chest pain, cough, or pre-op screening.
- Typical setting: Hospital outpatient or imaging center
- National avg charge (illustrative): Insurance allowed $50-$140; cash freestanding $60-$220; hospital $250-$1,400.
- Most-disputed reason: Hospital pricing inflated above freestanding alternatives.
What it means
What 71046 actually means
CPT 71046 is a standard two-view chest X-ray (posteroanterior + lateral). It's one of the most-billed imaging studies in U.S. healthcare and one with the widest price variance.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Charged for 71047 (3 views) or 71048 (4 views) when only 2 were performed.
- Hospital facility component pricing 5-10x freestanding alternatives.
- Billed separately as professional + technical when bundled rates would apply.
If you see 71046 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 71046 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
70470 — CT head/brain with and without contrast
If contrast wasn't given, 70470 is the wrong code.
CPT
70486 — CT maxillofacial area; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
CPT
70551 — MRI brain without contrast
Same scan can be 5x cheaper at a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71045 — Chest X-ray, single view
Same image can cost 10x more at a hospital than a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71250 — CT thorax ; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 71046 on a bill.
71046 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
How do I know how many views I had?
Ask for the imaging report or the radiology technician. The number of views is documented in the technical record. If you only had two views and were billed for three, dispute the line item.
Don't pay 71046 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.