What is CPT Code 71046?
CPT 71046 represents Chest X-Ray — 2 Views. It is one of the most frequently abused billing codes in hospital medicine. Billed as two separate single-view X-rays instead of one 2-view code.
When This Code Appears on Your Bill
You may have this code on your bill if you received any of the following:
- ER visit with chest X-ray
- Pneumonia diagnosis
- Pre-surgery screening
If your bill shows both 71045 (1 view) AND 71046 (2 views), or shows 71045 twice, you were unbundled. One chest X-ray session = one code.
CPT 71046 Rate Comparison
Rate benchmarks for CPT 71046
You have the right to request an itemized bill and compare every CPT code against published Medicare rates. If you find CPT 71046 billed above the Medicare rate without justification, you can formally dispute the charge. Hospitals must respond within 30 days.
Found CPT 71046 on your bill?
Our auditors check this code — and every other line item — against Medicare rates and billing guidelines. Most bills with CPT 71046 have additional errors too.
Related CPT Codes to Check
If CPT 71046 appears on your bill, also check these commonly paired or confused codes:
How to Dispute a CPT 71046 Overcharge
- Request your itemized bill from the hospital billing department
- Look up CPT 71046 on cms.gov/medicare/physician-fee-schedule
- Calculate the difference between what you were charged and Medicare rate
- Write a formal dispute letter citing CPT 71046 and the specific dollar discrepancy
- Send via certified mail to Patient Financial Services
- Follow up on day 20 if no response — escalate to Patient Advocate if needed