CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine) Cost

CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine) is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2367 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$1,543median cash price · 2367 hospitals, 52 statestypically $462–$4,212 depending on the hospital
≈ 9.1× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$2,672
Cash / self-pay
$1,543
Insurer-negotiated
$502
Medicare pays
$169
$462$4,212
Median cash $1,543  ·  Medicare $169  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $1,543 — about 9.1× the Medicare rate ($169). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($337).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $2,672 list price could save about $1,129 (42%).

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
Little Falls Hospital Little Falls, NY $233 $234 ★ 2/5 110 min 15.7%
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%
Citizens Memorial Hospital Bolivar, MO $235 $256 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.6%
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 $383 ★ 5/5 240 min 13.6%
Chilton Medical Center Pompton Plains, NJ $238 $383 ★ 5/5 226 min 13.5%
Overlook Medical Center Summit, NJ $238 $383 ★ 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%
Family Health West Hospital Fruita, CO $248 $511 — — 15.2%
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%
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $251 $189 ★ 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 Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $258 $305 ★ 4/5 157 min 15.0%
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $258 $305 ★ 2/5 210 min 13.5%
Calverthealth Medical Center Prince Frederick, MD $262 — ★ 5/5 200 min 14.3%
Medstar Harbor Hospital Baltimore, MD $265 $270 ★ 4/5 208 min 13.7%
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Galveston, TX $265 $196 ★ 3/5 191 min 16.0%
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital Austin, TX $267 $237 — — 14.4%

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 lower back (lumbar 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: $1,543; Medicare pays $169.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$116
$49 – $205
Medicaid 361
$150
$43 – $634
Independent Health 32
$150
$51 – $432
Medicare 612
$165
$58 – $739
Highmark 134
$167
$85 – $418
Tricare / VA 431
$178
$62 – $1,448
Amerigroup 176
$180
$88 – $527
Devoted Health 179
$186
$100 – $611
Molina Healthcare 580
$191
$67 – $1,310
MVP Health Care 81
$232
$62 – $2,125
Centene / Ambetter 820
$239
$83 – $1,272
Geisinger 72
$241
$86 – $1,314
AmeriHealth 240
$248
$73 – $1,106
SelectHealth 48
$274
$107 – $2,131
EmblemHealth 64
$285
$131 – $803
Oscar Health 163
$286
$112 – $1,131
Priority Health 61
$293
$68 – $1,676
Anthem 600
$293
$83 – $1,303
UnitedHealthcare 1610
$314
$97 – $2,294
UCare 71
$329
$86 – $2,415
UPMC Health Plan 109
$341
$107 – $1,410
Kaiser Permanente 232
$356
$121 – $2,459
Harvard Pilgrim 59
$357
$113 – $1,977
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1364
$359
$102 – $2,427
Humana 1076
$364
$101 – $1,857
Bright Health 44
$451
$139 – $4,002
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 159
$514
$148 – $2,396
Cigna 1202
$575
$126 – $3,319
HealthPartners 280
$651
$96 – $2,609
Aetna 1491
$661
$106 – $3,009
Medica 262
$854
$117 – $2,859
Security Health Plan 64
$988
$104 – $2,163
Health Net 344
$1,123
$134 – $6,132
Sanford Health Plan 78
$1,173
$127 – $2,544
Healthcare Highways 41
$1,581
$517 – $3,272
Coventry 160
$1,835
$171 – $4,711
AvMed 65
$1,980
$736 – $4,398
MultiPlan / PHCS network 908
$2,325
$309 – $6,825

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$415
New Jersey$518
Arkansas$740
Mississippi$762

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXDallas, TXBaltimore, MDCincinnati, OHNew York, NYSacramento, CABrooklyn, NYFort Worth, TXHouston, TXKansas City, MOLos Angeles, CAOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHNashville, TNOmaha, NESaint Louis, MOBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARMilwaukee, WI

Prices by state

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

Does Medicare cover CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine)?

Yes — Medicare generally covers CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine). It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $169. 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 2367 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $1,543, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $2,672, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $502, a Medicare rate of about $169. Most cash prices fall between $462 and $4,212 — 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 lower back (lumbar spine) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2367 US hospitals is $1,543. Most hospitals fall between $462 and $4,212. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover CT scan of the lower back (lumbar spine)?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $169). 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 lower back (lumbar spine)?
Medicare pays about $169. 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 lower back (lumbar 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.