CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
73562 — Radiologic examination, knee; 3 views
An X-ray of the knee taken from exactly three different angles, providing more information than a basic 2-view study while evaluating fractures, joint space narrowing, and structural abnormalities.
- Typical setting: Hospital, imaging center, urgent care
- National avg charge (illustrative): $35–$80 Medicare allowed; $55–$200 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 73562 (3 views) when the radiology report documents only 2 views (should be 73560) or 4+ views (should be 73564)
What it means
What 73562 actually means
An X-ray of the knee taken from exactly three different angles, providing more information than a basic 2-view study while evaluating fractures, joint space narrowing, and structural abnormalities. Three-view knee X-rays are common for evaluating arthritis or sports injuries.
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).
- Billing 73562 (3 views) when the radiology report documents only 2 views (should be 73560) or 4+ views (should be 73564)
- CCI edit conflicts when billing 73562 together with the bilateral standing knee code (73565)
- Failing to document the number of views taken in the radiology report, making the view-count code selection unverifiable
If you see 73562 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 73562 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
71046 — Chest X-ray, two views (PA + lateral)
Two-view CXR is standard. Watch the price gap between hospital and freestanding.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 73562 on a bill.
73562 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 73562 usually cost?
$35–$80 Medicare allowed; $55–$200 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 73562?
Billing 73562 (3 views) when the radiology report documents only 2 views (should be 73560) or 4+ views (should be 73564)
What should I do if I see 73562 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 73562 before paying.
Don't pay 73562 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.