CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
77065 — Diagnostic mammography, including computer-aided detection when performed; unilateral
A diagnostic mammogram performed on one breast when a patient has a known lump, nipple discharge, pain, or other concerning breast symptom or finding.
- Typical setting: Hospital, imaging center
- National avg charge (illustrative): $85–$200 Medicare allowed; $120–$450 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing diagnostic mammogram (77065) when a screening mammogram (77067) was performed — screening is routine without symptoms; diagnostic requires a specific clinical indication
What it means
What 77065 actually means
A diagnostic mammogram performed on one breast when a patient has a known lump, nipple discharge, pain, or other concerning breast symptom or finding. Unlike a screening mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram involves additional views and real-time radiologist interpretation.
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 diagnostic mammogram (77065) when a screening mammogram (77067) was performed — screening is routine without symptoms; diagnostic requires a specific clinical indication
- Billing 77065 (unilateral) when both breasts were imaged diagnostically — should be 77066 (bilateral diagnostic)
- Billing 77065 and 77067 on the same date without documentation that a screening study was appropriately converted to diagnostic with additional views
If you see 77065 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 77065 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 77065 on a bill.
77065 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 77065 usually cost?
$85–$200 Medicare allowed; $120–$450 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 77065?
Billing diagnostic mammogram (77065) when a screening mammogram (77067) was performed — screening is routine without symptoms; diagnostic requires a specific clinical indication
What should I do if I see 77065 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 77065 before paying.
Don't pay 77065 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.