CT scan of the neck (cervical spine) Cost

CT scan of the neck (cervical spine) is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2370 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$1,555median cash price · 2370 hospitals, 52 statestypically $472–$4,317 depending on the hospital
≈ 9.2× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$2,719
Cash / self-pay
$1,555
Insurer-negotiated
$506
Medicare pays
$168
$472$4,317
Median cash $1,555  ·  Medicare $168  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $1,555 — about 9.2× the Medicare rate ($168). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($337).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $2,719 list price could save about $1,163 (43%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
The University Hospital Newark, NJ $234 $515 ★ 1/5 294 min 15.6%
Oklahoma Spine Hospital Oklahoma City, OK $235 $159 — 110 min 13.1%
Frederick Health Hospital Frederick, MD $236 — ★ 3/5 230 min 14.1%
Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc Salisbury, MD $237 $242 ★ 4/5 176 min 13.8%
Centrastate Medical Center Freehold, NJ $238 $423 ★ 4/5 219 min 15.8%
Good Samaritan Hospital Vincennes, IN $244 $249 ★ 2/5 117 min 14.2%
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital Baltimore, MD $244 $249 ★ 3/5 234 min 14.9%
Doctor's Center De San Juan Santurce, PR $250 $280 — — 15.5%
Doctors' Center Bayamon Bayamon, PR $250 $280 — — 16.6%
Doctors' Center Hospital, Inc Manati, PR $250 $280 ★ 1/5 — 16.3%
Doctors Center Hospital Carolina Llc Carolina, PR $250 $280 — 315 min 15.8%
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $252 $188 ★ 4/5 319 min 15.9%
Surgical Institute of Reading Wyomissing, PA $253 $366 — — 16.0%
Greater Baltimore Medical Center Baltimore, MD $254 $259 ★ 5/5 231 min 13.5%
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Galveston, TX $258 $183 ★ 3/5 191 min 16.0%
Calverthealth Medical Center Prince Frederick, MD $262 — ★ 5/5 200 min 14.3%
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $263 $306 ★ 4/5 157 min 15.0%
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $263 $306 ★ 2/5 210 min 13.5%
Wayne County Hospital Monticello, KY $263 — — — —
Medstar Harbor Hospital Baltimore, MD $265 $270 ★ 4/5 208 min 13.7%
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights Harker Heights, TX $274 $1,101 ★ 4/5 174 min 16.3%
Ochsner St Mary Morgan City, LA $274 $325 ★ 2/5 81 min 15.4%
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-St Mary Medical Cent Shreveport, LA $274 $325 ★ 2/5 — —
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Camp Hill, PA $276 $341 ★ 3/5 250 min 15.3%
Baxter Health Mountain Home, AR $280 $124 ★ 2/5 190 min 15.7%

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated August 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for CT scan of the neck (cervical spine)

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $1,555; Medicare pays $168.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$115
$49 – $205
Independent Health 34
$148
$51 – $423
Medicaid 369
$150
$43 – $580
Medicare 612
$160
$58 – $694
Highmark 134
$165
$86 – $404
Tricare / VA 434
$175
$58 – $1,455
Devoted Health 179
$180
$99 – $652
Amerigroup 176
$180
$88 – $480
Molina Healthcare 585
$191
$68 – $1,310
MVP Health Care 82
$222
$62 – $1,875
Centene / Ambetter 827
$236
$85 – $1,820
Geisinger 73
$241
$86 – $1,283
SelectHealth 48
$246
$107 – $2,112
AmeriHealth 241
$248
$73 – $1,176
EmblemHealth 66
$271
$131 – $801
Oscar Health 163
$278
$112 – $1,296
Anthem 605
$293
$89 – $1,296
Priority Health 61
$300
$68 – $1,687
UnitedHealthcare 1615
$312
$96 – $2,299
UCare 72
$328
$84 – $2,283
UPMC Health Plan 109
$340
$104 – $1,320
Harvard Pilgrim 61
$356
$113 – $1,818
Kaiser Permanente 231
$360
$121 – $2,693
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1372
$362
$102 – $2,472
Humana 1080
$365
$101 – $1,855
Bright Health 44
$437
$139 – $4,360
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 159
$514
$148 – $2,350
Cigna 1222
$567
$124 – $3,400
HealthPartners 281
$583
$95 – $2,713
Aetna 1500
$665
$106 – $3,050
Medica 263
$841
$112 – $2,814
Security Health Plan 65
$1,021
$104 – $2,063
Sanford Health Plan 78
$1,117
$127 – $2,505
Health Net 344
$1,123
$134 – $5,921
Healthcare Highways 41
$1,421
$517 – $3,180
Coventry 162
$1,937
$169 – $4,855
AvMed 65
$2,011
$738 – $4,113
MultiPlan / PHCS network 910
$2,320
$297 – $6,495

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Maryland$249
Puerto Rico$250
Rhode Island$567
New Jersey$643
Arkansas$678
Mississippi$762

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXDallas, TXHouston, TXBaltimore, MDNew York, NYSacramento, CABrooklyn, NYCincinnati, OHFort Worth, TXKansas City, MOLos Angeles, CAOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHNashville, TNOmaha, NESaint Louis, MOBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARMiami, FL

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioWisconsinFloridaIllinoisNew YorkPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaIowaTennesseeMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaKentuckyArkansasKansasSouth DakotaIndianaVirginiaArizonaWashingtonNew JerseyMississippiMassachusettsWest VirginiaMarylandAlabamaMaineSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaOregonIdahoMontanaConnecticutUtahNew HampshireNevadaNew MexicoPuerto RicoWyomingHawaiiVermontDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

Does Medicare cover CT scan of the neck (cervical spine)?

Yes — Medicare generally covers CT scan of the neck (cervical spine). It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $168. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $34 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2370 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $1,555, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $2,719, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $506, a Medicare rate of about $168. Most cash prices fall between $472 and $4,317 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does CT scan of the neck (cervical spine) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2370 US hospitals is $1,555. Most hospitals fall between $472 and $4,317. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover CT scan of the neck (cervical spine)?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $168). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for CT scan of the neck (cervical spine)?
Medicare pays about $168. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do CT scan of the neck (cervical spine) prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

Related Imaging & Radiology

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See more Imaging & Radiology.