How Much Does a CT Scan Cost?

Sometimes you may experience some pain, symptoms, or an injury that your healthcare professional cannot view with the naked eye. X-rays or ultrasounds may help, but there are limits to what they can  see with these tests. This is where a CT scan may come into play.

CT scans have become an essential medical tool for creating images of the body and diagnosing various diseases and abnormalities. In fact, more than 80 million CT scans are done in the U.S. every year.

CT scans typically cost more than X-rays and ultrasounds, but they are less expensive than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The price of a CT scan can vary based on many factors, including insurance status, scanned body area, and facility type.

What is a CT scan?

Computed tomography, also known as a CT/CAT scan, is a noninvasive diagnostic imaging test that provides clearer images than an X-ray. A CT scan uses radiation and computer software to create a 360-degree view inside a person’s body. The test is painless and can typically be completed within 30 minutes.

A CT scan can be performed on the whole body or individual body parts, including the:

• Abdomen

• Arm

• Chest

• Head

• Leg

• Neck

• Pelvis

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• How to save: You can use your health savings account to pay for CT scans and MRIs if your insurance doesn’t cover them.

What are CT scans used to look for?

CT scans work well for many situations, such as:

• Detecting internal bleeding and blood clots

• Diagnosing abdominal pain, diseases, and muscle disorders

• Examining organ damage or injuries

• Identifying infections

• Monitoring treatment status for diseases such as cancer

• Reviewing subtle bone fractures not visible on X-ray

• Visualizing obstructions

How much does a CT scan cost?

On average, the price of CT scans in the U.S. can range anywhere from $300 to $6,750, with some as high as $20,000. The exact cost you’ll pay for a CT scan depends on many factors, such as insurance coverage, place of service, and body part being scanned. 

Here are some examples of CT scan prices based on body part and geographic location.

What factors determine the price of a CT scan?

Costs can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Body part scanned

• Place of service

• Geography

• Health insurance plan

• Inpatient facility (hospital) vs. outpatient center

• In-network vs. out-of-network insurance benefits

• Technical fees including costs of equipment, upgrades, and repairs

• Professional fees for administering the test and reading the results

Contact your insurer to better understand what out-of-pocket expenses you may face, if any.

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If you don’t have insurance, you can contact facilities directly and compare prices at different locations. Ask about the estimated price range for your specific test after you receive an order from your healthcare professional.

CT scan cost with insurance

With insurance, the cost of a CT scan depends on the specific benefits of your health plan. Some plans may require you to pay upfront costs before the insurance pays — for instance, a copay or deductible.

To make sure you receive the full benefit coverage, ask your insurance provider if:

• Your health plan covers imaging tests such as a CT scan

• You are responsible for any copays, coinsurance, or deductibles

• You need prior authorization before the plan will cover costs

• Your health plan allows you to choose imaging centers — and what your costs will be depending on the place of service

CT scan without insurance 

The average price of a CT scan runs about $300 to $6,750, whether you have insurance or not. Inflation can cause prices to be higher than average. 

Generally, a person without insurance should expect to pay around $2,000 or more, depending on the type of scan. But there are ways to reduce your costs. For example, instead of visiting hospital-owned centers, you can seek alternative places of service, such as:

• Freestanding imaging centers

• Walk-in clinics

• Urgent care centers

You can also look into other options that may help reduce your out-of-pocket costs, such as:

• Assistance programs

• Cash payment discounts

• Payment plans

Also, people without insurance or who choose not to use insurance have the right to a good faith estimate. All healthcare service professionals must provide this under federal law. 

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has a free search tool to help locate imaging facilities in your area that are ACR-accredited.

Which costs more: A CT scan with or without contrast?

Your healthcare professional may order a CT scan with or without contrast depending on the level of detail that needs to be viewed. Contrast is a type of dye given by mouth, injection, or rectum. It helps highlight organs and tissues for better images.

A CT scan with contrast dye will likely cost more than one without. However, barium contrast dye tends to be significantly less expensive than iodine dye. Blood tests to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough  to eliminate dye from the body can increase the price. But determining the exact price difference between a CT scan with or without contrast is difficult.

CT scans with contrast may also lead to adverse reactions in high-risk individuals. That often means additional monitoring by a healthcare professional. Naturally, these extra measures may increase your overall cost.

Tips on saving money on CT scans

Here are a few tips to help you find the best value for a CT scan:

• Call multiple imaging facilities for quotes.

• Avoid places that only provide occasional scans. Places that offer more scans tend to charge less.

• Understand prices at different facilities. University hospitals and research facilities may charge more due to prestige.

• Search for facilities that are freestanding and focus only on imaging tests.

• Use in-network facilities if you have insurance.

How can I check if a medical diagnostic imaging facility takes my insurance?

You can check in a couple of ways:

• Visit the facility's website.

• Ask the facility if they are in network with your health plan.

• Request a list of in-network facilities from your insurer.

Keep in mind that in-network facilities have contracted rates with your insurer. Therefore, you will pay less out of pocket than with an out-of-network facility.

Is the medical diagnostic imaging facility recommended by my health professional covered by my insurance?

The best way to find out if your insurance provider will pay for services at a particular facility is to call them and ask. Give them the name and location of the specific imaging center. Then, you can verify whether it is covered under your benefits as in network, out of network, or not covered at all.

Are there any cheaper alternatives to CT scans?

A contrast-enhanced ultrasound is another option. It uses microbubbles (a type of contrast dye) to provide real-time imaging. Ultrasound machines typically involve a computer, video monitor, and handheld transducer. The equipment is more compact and less expensive to maintain and operate than CT scans or MRIs.

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Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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