Price Checker / CPT 71046
How much does Chest X-ray (two views) cost?
CPT 71046 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 17x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$50–$100
What this should cost
With insurance
~$75,100
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$130
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $1,239 is $1,164 over the fair price (about 17x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Chest X-ray (two views)
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson-Madison County General Hospital JACKSON, TN | — | $139 | 12498% |
| WTH Bolivar Hospital , TN | — | $139 | 12498% |
| WTH Camden Hospital , TN | — | $139 | 12498% |
| WTH Milan Hospital , TN | — | $139 | 12498% |
| Henderson Hospital HENDERSON, KY | — | — | 10372% |
| Effingham Hospital , GA | $826 | $537 | 2398% |
| Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center CEDARTOWN, GA | $805 | $403 | 2334% |
| Donalsonville Hospital , GA | $608 | $517 | 1739% |
| MEDICAL CITY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER - ALLIANCE FORT WORTH, TX | $569 | — | 1621% |
| Yuma District Hospital & Clinics YUMA, CO | $471 | $353 | 1324% |
| Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute Harrisburg, PA | $411 | — | 894% |
| Washington County Hospital and Nursing Home Chatom, AL | $106 | — | 866% |
| Allendale County Hospital FAIRFAX, SC | $225 | $191 | 580% |
| Share Medical Center Alva, OK | $195 | — | 357% |
| Bunkie Hospital , LA | $89 | — | 169% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Chest X-ray (two views)
CPT code 71046 refers to chest x-ray (two views) (billing description: "X-ray exam chest 2 views"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $33 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $33 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.