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 2387 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$1,538median cash price · 2387 hospitals, 52 statestypically $454–$4,189 depending on the hospital
≈ 9.1× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$2,672
Cash / self-pay
$1,538
Insurer-negotiated
$496
Medicare pays
$169
$454$4,189
Median cash $1,538  ·  Medicare $169  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $1,538 — 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 $1,134 (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 ★ 2/5 109 min —
The University Hospital Newark, NJ $234 $515 ★ 1/5 307 min —
Oklahoma Spine Hospital Oklahoma City, OK $235 $159 — 112 min —
Citizens Memorial Hospital Bolivar, MO $235 $256 ★ 3/5 186 min —
Frederick Health Hospital Frederick, MD $236 — ★ 3/5 230 min —
Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc Salisbury, MD $237 $242 ★ 4/5 177 min —
Morristown Medical Center Morristown, NJ $238 $383 ★ 5/5 250 min —
Chilton Medical Center Pompton Plains, NJ $238 $383 ★ 5/5 207 min —
Overlook Medical Center Summit, NJ $238 $383 ★ 5/5 192 min —
Good Samaritan Hospital Vincennes, IN $244 $249 ★ 2/5 119 min —
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital Baltimore, MD $244 $249 ★ 3/5 247 min —
Family Health West Hospital Fruita, CO $248 $511 — 48 min —
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $251 $189 ★ 4/5 298 min —
Surgical Institute of Reading Wyomissing, PA $253 $366 — — —
Greater Baltimore Medical Center Baltimore, MD $254 $259 ★ 5/5 228 min —
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $258 $305 ★ 4/5 149 min —
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $258 $305 ★ 2/5 210 min —
Calverthealth Medical Center Prince Frederick, MD $262 — ★ 5/5 194 min —
Medstar Harbor Hospital Baltimore, MD $265 $270 ★ 4/5 212 min —
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Galveston, TX $265 $196 ★ 3/5 190 min —
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital Austin, TX $267 $237 — — —
Gateway Regional Medical Center Granite City, IL $268 — ★ 2/5 140 min —
Wayne County Hospital Monticello, KY $269 — — — —
Ochsner St Mary Morgan City, LA $274 $325 ★ 2/5 89 min —
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-St Mary Medical Cent Shreveport, LA $274 $325 ★ 2/5 — —

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 October 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: $1,538; Medicare pays $169.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$116
$49 – $205
Medicaid 367
$150
$43 – $634
Independent Health 32
$150
$51 – $432
Highmark 140
$164
$85 – $422
Medicare 619
$165
$58 – $740
Tricare / VA 436
$178
$60 – $1,399
Amerigroup 177
$180
$88 – $507
Devoted Health 183
$186
$100 – $611
Molina Healthcare 584
$191
$67 – $1,305
MVP Health Care 83
$237
$64 – $2,124
Centene / Ambetter 837
$239
$83 – $1,280
Geisinger 75
$241
$86 – $1,300
AmeriHealth 244
$248
$73 – $1,109
SelectHealth 48
$274
$107 – $2,131
EmblemHealth 79
$285
$131 – $689
Priority Health 60
$293
$68 – $1,685
Anthem 617
$298
$85 – $1,261
Oscar Health 175
$311
$112 – $1,290
UnitedHealthcare 1639
$318
$97 – $2,284
UCare 72
$334
$85 – $2,414
UPMC Health Plan 114
$340
$102 – $1,368
Kaiser Permanente 234
$358
$121 – $2,459
Harvard Pilgrim 59
$358
$113 – $1,977
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1373
$361
$102 – $2,417
Humana 1091
$363
$101 – $1,824
Bright Health 44
$451
$139 – $4,002
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 160
$514
$148 – $2,394
Cigna 1228
$575
$126 – $3,299
HealthPartners 283
$628
$97 – $2,620
Aetna 1518
$650
$106 – $2,997
Medica 264
$872
$117 – $2,861
Security Health Plan 64
$988
$104 – $2,163
Health Net 345
$1,123
$134 – $6,132
Sanford Health Plan 80
$1,174
$127 – $2,551
Healthcare Highways 41
$1,581
$517 – $3,272
Coventry 164
$1,794
$169 – $4,662
AvMed 67
$1,980
$738 – $4,398
MultiPlan / PHCS network 923
$2,312
$307 – $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
Rhode Island$415
New Jersey$518
Arkansas$740
Tennessee$762
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

TexasCaliforniaOhioWisconsinPennsylvaniaFloridaNew YorkIllinoisMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaTennesseeIowaMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaKentuckyArkansasKansasIndianaSouth DakotaVirginiaArizonaWashingtonNew JerseyMississippiMassachusettsWest VirginiaAlabamaMaineMarylandSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaOregonMontanaIdahoConnecticutNew HampshireUtahNevadaNew 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 2387 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $1,538, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $2,672, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $496, a Medicare rate of about $169. Most cash prices fall between $454 and $4,189 — 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 2387 US hospitals is $1,538. Most hospitals fall between $454 and $4,189. 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.