Imaging codes (X-ray, CT, MRI)

Radiology — X-rays, CT scans, MRIs — normally generates two legitimate charges for one scan: a technical charge for taking the image and a separate professional charge for the radiologist who reads it. Two line items is expected; a third charge, a duplicate reading, or a with-contrast code when you didn't get contrast is worth questioning. Imaging is also one of the highest-variance areas of a bill, where the billed amount and what you actually owe can differ enormously. Each page below explains the scan, the technical-vs-professional split, and the mismatches to check.

• 70450 CT scan of the head or brain, without contrast
• 71046 Chest X-ray, two views
• 72148 MRI of the lower (lumbar) spine, without contrast
• 73610 Ankle X-ray, at least three views