How To Use CPT Code 71045

CPT 71045 is a diagnostic radiologic examination code for a single view of the chest, and this article will cover its description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples.

1. What is CPT 71045?

CPT 71045 is a diagnostic radiologic examination code used for a single view of the chest. This code is utilized by medical professionals to bill for the procedure when assessing conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and nearby structures.

2. 71045 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 71045 is: “Radiologic examination, chest; single view.”

3. Procedure

The 71045 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is positioned so that the X-ray beam focuses on the chest area.
2. The patient remains still to prevent image blurring.
3. An X-ray machine sends a beam of radiation through the chest area.
4. A computer or special film records the image, with dense body parts appearing white and softer tissues appearing darker.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 71045 services are those who require a diagnostic radiologic examination of the chest for the assessment of conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and nearby structures. This may include patients with respiratory issues, chest pain, or suspected abnormalities in the chest area.

5. When to use CPT code 71045

It is appropriate to bill the 71045 CPT code when a single view radiologic examination of the chest is performed for diagnostic purposes. This may be necessary for patients presenting with symptoms or conditions that warrant further investigation of the chest area, such as respiratory issues, chest pain, or suspected abnormalities.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 71045, the following information should be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and presenting symptoms or conditions.
• Reason for the radiologic examination, including the suspected diagnosis or condition being investigated.
• Details of the procedure, including the type of view performed and any additional views if applicable.
• Findings and interpretation of the radiologic examination.
• Any follow-up recommendations or treatment plans based on the examination results.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 71045, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Append professional component modifier 26 to the radiology code if reporting only the physician’s interpretation for the radiology service.
• Append modifier TC to the radiology code if reporting only the technical component for the radiology service. Note that payer policy may exempt hospitals from appending modifier TC due to the hospital’s portion being inherently technical.
• Do not append a professional or technical modifier to the radiology code when reporting a global service in which one provider renders both the professional and technical components.
• If the provider performs a radiological examination of 2 views of the chest, report code 71046; for 3 views, report 71047; and for 4 or more views, report 71048.

8. Historical information

CPT 71045 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2018. There have been no updates since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 71045

Five similar codes to CPT 71045 and how they differentiate are:

• CPT 71046: This code is used for a radiologic examination of the chest with two views, as opposed to the single view in CPT 71045.
• CPT 71047: This code is used for a radiologic examination of the chest with three views, providing more comprehensive imaging than CPT 71045.
• CPT 71048: This code is used for a radiologic examination of the chest with four or more views, offering the most extensive imaging of the chest area.
• CPT 71020: This code is used for a radiologic examination of the chest with a minimum of two views, including frontal and lateral views, which differs from the single view in CPT 71045.
• CPT 71030: This code is used for a radiologic examination of the chest with a minimum of four views, including frontal, lateral, and oblique views, providing more detailed imaging than CPT 71045.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 71045 procedures:

1. A patient presents with persistent cough and chest pain, and the provider performs a single view radiologic examination of the chest to assess for any abnormalities.
2. A patient with a history of lung disease requires a single view radiologic examination of the chest for routine monitoring of their condition.
3. A patient experiences shortness of breath and wheezing, prompting the provider to perform a single view radiologic examination of the chest to investigate potential causes.
4. A patient with suspected pneumonia undergoes a single view radiologic examination of the chest to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the infection.
5. A patient presents with chest pain and a history of heart disease, leading the provider to perform a single view radiologic examination of the chest to evaluate the heart and surrounding structures.
6. A patient with a suspected rib fracture undergoes a single view radiologic examination of the chest to confirm the fracture and determine its severity.
7. A patient with a history of lung cancer requires a single view radiologic examination of the chest to monitor for any recurrence or metastasis.
8. A patient experiences chest pain and difficulty breathing after a traumatic injury, prompting the provider to perform a single view radiologic examination of the chest to assess for internal damage.
9. A patient with a suspected pleural effusion undergoes a single view radiologic examination of the chest to confirm the presence of fluid and determine its extent.
10. A patient with a history of tuberculosis requires a single view radiologic examination of the chest for routine monitoring and assessment of their lung condition.