UB04 Field 47: Total Charges

Overview

Field 47 (Total Charges) on the UB-04 claim form is the field where the provider enters the sum of all charges for the billing period for each revenue code (FL 42) or, when a HCPCS procedure code is required in addition to the revenue center code, the sum of total charges for each HCPCS code. ^[1]
This field is required for both inpatient and outpatient claims. ^[2]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explicitly states that Field 47 is “Required” and notes that it is “Not Applicable for Electronic Billers.” ^[3]
In other words, the data element is mandatory on paper UB-04 forms, but electronic submitters (e.g., 837I) do not populate this field because the total charges are calculated and reported elsewhere in the electronic transaction.
The total charges entered in Box 47 must match the sum of the individual charge amounts reported on each revenue code line in Box 42 (Revenue Codes) and Box 44 (HCPCS/RATES/HIPPS Rate Codes). ^[2]
Accurate reporting of total charges is critical for claim payment, as payers use this amount to verify consistency with line-item charges and to apply contractual adjustments, deductibles, and coinsurance. ^[1]

When to Use

Field 47 must be used on every UB-04 claim submitted on paper, regardless of provider type or patient status (inpatient or outpatient). ^[2]
Both inpatient and outpatient claims are required to report total charges in this field. ^[2]
For electronic filers, the field is designated as “Not Applicable,” meaning that the total charges data is transmitted through electronic looping and segment structures (e.g., CLM02 in the 837I), not through a paper-equivalent field. ^[3]
However, providers must ensure that the total charges reported in the electronic claim match the sum of all line-item charges. ^[1]
When a bill includes multiple revenue codes, each with its own charge amount, the total entered in Box 47 must be the arithmetic sum of those amounts. ^[2]
If the services require a HCPCS procedure code in addition to the revenue code (e.g., for injectable drugs, durable medical equipment, or certain therapy services), the total charges for each HCPCS should be grouped and summed. ^[1]
The field is also used by payers to cross-check against the sum of all revenue‑code line amounts. Any discrepancy can trigger a claim rejection or request for adjustment. ^[2]

Step-by-Step Claim Example

Consider a hospital submitting a paper UB-04 for a three‑day inpatient stay with the following revenue code lines:

• Revenue Code 0250 (General Medical/Surgical) with a charge of $5,000.00
• Revenue Code 0270 (Operating Room) with a charge of $2,500.00
• Revenue Code 0300 (Laboratory) with a charge of $800.00
• Revenue Code 0330 (Radiology) with a charge of $1,200.00

Step 1: Sum the charges from each revenue code: $5,000.00 + $2,500.00 + $800.00 + $1,200.00 = $9,500.00. ^[2]

Step 2: Enter the total, $9,500.00, in Box 47 (Total Charges). ^[1]

Step 3: Ensure that the amounts in Box 42 (Revenue Codes) and any related Box 44 (HCPCS) are correctly reflected. For this example, no HCPCS codes are used, so only the revenue code charges are summed.

Step 4: Verify that Box 46 (Units of Service) for each line matches the number of service units, and that the charge per unit is consistent. ^[2]

Step 5: Double‑check that none of the revenue code lines were omitted or duplicated. Any error will cause the total in Box 47 to be incorrect.

Step 6: Review that the total charges entered do not include any non‑covered charges that should be reported separately in Box 48 (Non‑Covered Charges). ^[2]

After completing these steps, the claim is ready for submission. The payer will compare the $9,500.00 against the line‑item charges to confirm accuracy. ^[1]

Common Mistakes & Audit Red Flags

One frequent error is entering an amount in Box 47 that does not equal the sum of the revenue code line charges listed in Box 42. ^[2]
Payers routinely perform cross‑footing validation; a mismatch will cause the claim to be returned or adjusted without provider input, potentially delaying payment. ^[1]

Another mistake involves including non‑covered charges in the total charges. The UB-04 requires that non‑covered charges be reported in Box 48, not added to the total in Box 47. ^[2]
Failing to separate them can lead to overstated total charges and potential recoupment.

A third red flag arises when electronic billers inadvertently complete Field 47 on the paper companion document. Since CMS states “Not Applicable for Electronic Billers,” ^[3]
providers who transmit electronically must not rely on this field; instead, they must ensure the total charges are correctly mapped in the 837I transaction. Including a value in Field 47 on a paper claim while also submitting electronically can create confusion in dual‑submission scenarios.

Rounding errors also occur when charges are entered without proper decimal precision. The total charges must be entered with two decimal places (e.g., $9,500.00). ^[2]

Finally, auditors look for charges that are disproportionately high or low relative to the number of units reported in Box 46. Inconsistent charge per unit across similar revenue codes can indicate billing errors or upcoding. ^[1]

Related Codes/Fields

The following table lists fields on the UB-04 that are directly related to Field 47 (Total Charges).

Field	Name	Relationship to Field 47
FL 42	Revenue Codes	Each revenue code line includes a charge amount; total of those amounts must equal FL 47. [2]
FL 44	HCPCS/RATES/HIPPS Rate Codes	When a HCPCS code is used in addition to a revenue code, its charge must be included in the total. [1]
FL 46	Units of Service	The units per line multiply with the charge per unit to equal the line charge, which sums into FL 47. [2]
FL 48	Non‑Covered Charges	Non‑covered charges must be reported separately and not included in the total charges in FL 47. [2]
FL 54	Prior Payments – Payer	Prior payments are deducted from total charges to arrive at net amounts; accurate FL 47 is required for correct calculations. [2]
FL 55	Estimated Amount Due	The estimated amount due is derived from total charges minus adjustments and prior payments. [2]

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References

[1] CMS Ch25 — https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/guidance/manuals/downloads/clm104c25.pdf

[2] Maryland Medicaid FL47 — https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/provider/Documents/ffs-billing/UB04-Hospital-Billing-Instructions%20%281%29.pdf

[3] CMS R1915CP — https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R1915CP.pdf