CT scan of the chest Cost by Hospital

CT scan of the chest is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2357 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$1,506median cash price · 2357 hospitals, 52 statestypically $449–$3,896 depending on the hospital
≈ 9.0× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$2,630
Cash / self-pay
$1,506
Insurer-negotiated
$457
Medicare pays
$167
$449$3,896
Median cash $1,506  ·  Medicare $167  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $1,506 — about 9.0× the Medicare rate ($167). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($333).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $2,630 list price could save about $1,124 (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
Centrastate Medical Center Freehold, NJ $227 $383 ★ 4/5 219 min 15.8%
Jefferson Stratford Hospital Stratford, NJ $227 $178 ★ 2/5 235 min 17.5%
Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Montclair, NJ $230 $2,207 ★ 4/5 234 min 15.1%
Little Falls Hospital Little Falls, NY $233 $231 ★ 2/5 110 min 15.7%
The University Hospital Newark, NJ $234 $407 ★ 1/5 294 min 15.6%
Oklahoma Spine Hospital Oklahoma City, OK $235 $158 — 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%
Morristown Medical Center Morristown, NJ $238 $240 ★ 5/5 240 min 13.6%
Chilton Medical Center Pompton Plains, NJ $238 $292 ★ 5/5 226 min 13.5%
Overlook Medical Center Summit, NJ $238 $292 ★ 5/5 192 min 13.9%
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 $285 — — 15.5%
Doctors' Center Bayamon Bayamon, PR $250 $285 — — 16.6%
Doctors' Center Hospital, Inc Manati, PR $250 $285 ★ 1/5 — 16.3%
Doctors Center Hospital Carolina Llc Carolina, PR $250 $285 — 315 min 15.8%
Geneva General Hospital Geneva, NY $253 $135 ★ 2/5 183 min 16.9%
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates Penn Yan, NY $253 $246 — 110 min 15.0%
Surgical Institute of Reading Wyomissing, PA $253 $263 — — 16.0%
Greater Baltimore Medical Center Baltimore, MD $254 $259 ★ 5/5 231 min 13.5%
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $255 $193 ★ 4/5 319 min 15.9%
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Galveston, TX $258 $179 ★ 3/5 191 min 16.0%
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center Lancaster, PA $258 $176 ★ 3/5 229 min 15.1%
Citizens Memorial Hospital Bolivar, MO $261 $187 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.6%

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 chest

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: $1,506; Medicare pays $167.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$116
$50 – $202
Medicaid 371
$147
$44 – $577
Independent Health 34
$153
$54 – $355
Medicare 618
$167
$54 – $751
Tricare / VA 435
$168
$59 – $1,307
Highmark 133
$169
$85 – $382
Devoted Health 179
$170
$102 – $718
Amerigroup 176
$176
$87 – $693
Molina Healthcare 591
$179
$55 – $1,068
Centene / Ambetter 830
$196
$74 – $1,343
Geisinger 73
$203
$92 – $661
AmeriHealth 242
$220
$82 – $1,247
MVP Health Care 83
$234
$72 – $1,643
UPMC Health Plan 109
$241
$102 – $1,183
UCare 74
$243
$89 – $2,314
SelectHealth 48
$245
$121 – $1,648
Bright Health 44
$247
$147 – $3,678
EmblemHealth 66
$247
$131 – $650
Kaiser Permanente 236
$249
$119 – $2,459
Oscar Health 161
$254
$111 – $1,206
UnitedHealthcare 1626
$258
$96 – $2,327
Anthem 609
$263
$89 – $1,295
Humana 1096
$285
$100 – $1,785
Priority Health 61
$292
$74 – $1,691
Harvard Pilgrim 63
$297
$113 – $1,829
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1374
$329
$99 – $2,401
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 158
$514
$148 – $2,272
Cigna 1226
$567
$126 – $3,069
Aetna 1511
$661
$105 – $2,799
HealthPartners 284
$691
$102 – $2,713
Medica 265
$840
$109 – $2,830
Security Health Plan 65
$1,044
$104 – $2,111
Health Net 346
$1,123
$134 – $4,936
Sanford Health Plan 79
$1,170
$136 – $2,655
Healthcare Highways 41
$1,408
$487 – $2,897
Coventry 164
$1,620
$154 – $4,314
MultiPlan / PHCS network 919
$2,037
$263 – $5,312
AvMed 65
$2,059
$315 – $4,585

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
New Jersey$636
Rhode Island$666
Arkansas$702
Mississippi$762

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXDallas, TXHouston, TXBaltimore, MDCincinnati, OHNew York, NYSacramento, CABrooklyn, NYFort Worth, TXKansas City, MOLos Angeles, CAOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHMilwaukee, WINashville, TNOmaha, NESaint Louis, MOBirmingham, ALBoston, MA

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioWisconsinIllinoisNew YorkPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaFloridaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaIowaTennesseeMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaKentuckyArkansasKansasIndianaVirginiaArizonaSouth DakotaWashingtonNew JerseyMassachusettsMississippiWest VirginiaMarylandMaineAlabamaSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaOregonMontanaIdahoConnecticutNew HampshireUtahNevadaNew MexicoPuerto RicoWyomingHawaiiDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaVermontWashington DC

Does Medicare cover CT scan of the chest?

Yes — Medicare generally covers CT scan of the chest. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $167. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $33 — 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 2357 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $1,506, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $2,630, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $457, a Medicare rate of about $167. Most cash prices fall between $449 and $3,896 — 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 chest cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2357 US hospitals is $1,506. Most hospitals fall between $449 and $3,896. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover CT scan of the chest?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $167). 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 chest?
Medicare pays about $167. 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 chest 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.