How Much Does a CT Scan Cost With and Without Insurance?

Across 15 direct facilities, published CT prices checked in July 2026 run from $300 for a noncontrast CT at an independent imaging center to $6,669 for hospital CPT 74177; every region has at least three sampled facilities.

Sophie Wei

Sophie is a 2024 Pharm D. candidate studying pharmacy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She has a passion for healthcare and writing and hopes to make meaningful contributions to healthcare transparency and accessibility. In her free time, she likes to take care of her houseplants, cook, and hang out with her cat.

CT Scan Cost With and Without Insurance

A CT scan (computed tomography scan) makes detailed cross-sectional pictures. Price depends on the body part, CPT code, contrast, number of regions, setting, and whether radiologist interpretation is included. Across 15 direct facilities, published prices checked in July 2026 run from $300 at San Diego Imaging to $6,669 for CPT 74177 in Washington Regional Medical Center's file. Those are different settings and price definitions, not one national range.

What Is the Difference Between a CT Scan, X-ray, Ultrasound, and MRI?

Think of medical imaging like different ways to look inside a box:

• X-ray: Like shining a flashlight through the box. You see outlines of solid objects (bones).
• Ultrasound: Like tapping the box and listening for echoes. Great for seeing soft structures (babies in the womb, blood flow).
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Like feeling the box’s contents with a magnetic hand. Gives highly detailed pictures of organs and tissues, without radiation.
• CT (Computed Tomography) scan: Takes X-ray “slices” of the box from many angles, then combines them into a 3D image. It’s often used for detailed views of bones, organs, or blood vessels and is especially helpful in emergencies.

Doctors order a CT scan because it’s fast, detailed, and widely available. It’s especially helpful for diagnosing strokes, lung problems, injuries, and many other conditions.

How We Gathered This Cost Data

Below, you’ll find direct provider prices organized by CPT code, setting, city, state, and region. The evidence comes from:

• Provider-owned cash and prompt-payment fee schedules.
• Hospital machine-readable price-transparency files.
• Provider direct-pay lists and patient price estimators.

Each row keeps the provider's price definition. Cash fee, direct pay, prompt-pay self-pay, and a hospital-published price are not automatically equivalent. If you have insurance, request an in-network estimate for the exact CPT code.

The collection sheet also records whether the amount is a global service, technical component, professional interpretation, or unspecified hospital price. A professional-only value can look dramatically cheaper than a complete scan, while a hospital amount may omit an outside radiology group. Contrast material, kidney-function testing, sedation, emergency-department fees, and a second body region can also appear as separate lines.

The initial direct sample covers independent imaging, outpatient self-pay, provider direct-pay, rural hospital, and hospital-published price tiers. It does not support a national mean. The article therefore shows provider rows and comparable CPT pairs and labels older schedules with their effective year. Before scheduling, ask the facility to confirm that its online document is still current.

Direct Provider CT Prices by CPT Code

CT scans are often billed under specific CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes. Each code corresponds to a certain type of CT scan, such as head without contrast or abdomen with contrast. Below is a direct-provider sample for common CT scan codes, with each provider's stated price definition. It is not a national self-pay average.

Sources:

• Cash and self-pay schedules published by the named imaging providers.
• Hospital machine-readable files and shoppable-service lists for the named facilities.
• Provider price estimators, with component and bundle boundaries retained.

What This Means for You: If you’re paying out of pocket, look at the CPT code your doctor orders. Ask different imaging centers for the self-pay price under that code. The differences can be hundreds of dollars. If you have insurance, confirm the CPT code and make sure your scan is in-network for better coverage.

Average CT Scan Costs by Major U.S. Cities

Costs also vary by geographic location. The table below shows average out-of-pocket costs in major cities, based on real patient billing data. Note that these averages reflect one CT scan (commonly head or basic chest/abdomen) and can shift depending on the body part and use of contrast.

Source: Direct provider schedules linked below. The current sample does not support a national city average, so no value is imputed for an unsampled region.

A useful regional comparison requires multiple facilities quoting the same code and bundle. Until those cells are complete, a precise city average would imply evidence the direct sample does not have. The regional table is a sourcing map, not a national benchmark.

When calling, read the code from the order and ask the estimator to repeat what is included. Save the representative's name, estimate date, expiration date, payment deadline, and any separate radiology contact. That written trail makes two quotes genuinely comparable.

What This Means for You: Prices differ significantly from city to city. If you live in or near a large metropolitan area, you might find lower or higher costs based on competition, cost of living, and how many imaging centers are available. Always consider shopping around for non-emergency scans.

Detailed CT Scan Costs by Body Part

Beyond CPT codes, many people want to compare prices for specific areas of the body. The tables below retain direct provider observations for Head/Brain, Spine, Abdominal, Pelvis, and Chest CT scans. Each amount keeps its provider, setting, price definition, and component boundary.

Head CT Scan (CPT 70450)

A Head CT scan checks for issues like strokes, tumors, or head injuries.

Spine CT Scan (CPT 72125)

A Spine CT scan (often cervical or lumbar) looks at bones, discs, and tissues in the spine.

Abdominal CT Scan (CPT 74150)

An Abdominal CT scan may check the liver, pancreas, intestines, and kidneys.

Pelvis CT Scan (CPT 72192)

A Pelvis CT scan can investigate the bladder, reproductive organs, or lymph nodes.

Chest CT Scan (CPT 71250)

A Chest CT scan captures the lungs, heart, and major blood vessels.

4 Key Factors that Affect CT Scan Costs

1. Body Part Scanned
   More complex scans (like an abdominal CT) typically cost more than simpler scans (like a head CT). If your doctor orders contrast, expect a higher price.
2. Type of Facility
   CT scans at outpatient imaging centers are often cheaper than at hospitals. Inpatient hospital care adds facility fees, making scans more expensive
3. Insurance Status
   If you have insurance, your cost depends on your deductible and copay or coinsurance. If you’re uninsured, you might be quoted a higher list price, but negotiating or finding a self-pay discount can help
4. Location/Region
   Cities with a higher cost of living or limited imaging centers may charge more. In big cities with many providers, prices can be competitive, sometimes bringing costs down.

What This Means for You: Whenever possible, consider having your CT scan at an outpatient facility and shop around if it’s not an emergency. Ask each facility if they offer self-pay discounts if you’re paying out of pocket.

Does Insurance Cover a CT Scan?

• Yes. Most private insurance plans cover CT scans deemed medically necessary. You’ll be responsible for your deductible, copay, or coinsurance as per your plan.
• Medicare covers CT scans under Part B (outpatient) or Part A (inpatient hospital stays). Typically, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for outpatient scans after your Part B deductible.
• Medicaid also covers CT scans, but requirements vary by state. Check with your state’s Medicaid program to confirm coverage or costs.

Tip: Even if you have good insurance, it’s wise to ask the imaging center if they’re in-network. If they’re out-of-network, you could face much higher charges.

CT Scan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to common questions about CT scans. These can help you prepare, plan costs, and feel confident in your care.

1. What Is a CT Scan?

A CT scan combines multiple X-ray images to create detailed, 3D pictures of the inside of your body. It’s painless, usually takes 15-30 minutes, and can visualize bones, organs, and blood vessels more clearly than a traditional X-ray.

2. When Do You Need a CT Scan?

Doctors often order CT scans for muscle or bone disorders, to locate tumors, or for angiographies (blood vessel imaging). CT scans are also common after accidents, for head injuries, or to examine abdominal pain.

3. What Should You Expect During a CT Scan?

You’ll typically remove any metal objects and change into a gown. If contrast dye is used, you might need to fast for a few hours beforehand. You lie on a table that slides through the CT scanner. The scan is quick and noninvasive, although you might feel a warming sensation if contrast is injected.

4. What Are the Risks?

CT scans use low doses of radiation. Occasional scans pose minimal risk, but repeated exposure can slightly increase the chance of radiation-related issues. Pregnant individuals or children should take extra precautions; doctors often use ultrasound or MRI in such cases.

5. How Much Does a CT Scan Cost With Contrast vs. Without Contrast?

A CT scan with contrast typically costs more than without contrast, adding roughly $100–$400 to the bill (or more, depending on location). The extra cost covers the contrast material and related facility fees. Still, contrast can provide critical details for diagnosis, so skipping it may not be advised if your doctor deems it necessary.

6. Can I Have a CT Scan If I’m Allergic to Contrast Dye?

Yes, but you need special preparation. If you have a contrast dye allergy, your doctor may prescribe steroids or antihistamines before the scan. In severe cases, they may choose an alternative imaging test (like MRI or ultrasound). Always inform your doctor and the radiology team about any known allergies.

7. What If I’m Claustrophobic or Nervous About the Scan?

If you’re claustrophobic, mention it to your doctor. A CT scanner is short and open at both ends (unlike an MRI tube), so many people find it less confining. If you are still anxious, ask about mild sedation or relaxation techniques. The scan itself is usually quite fast.

8. How Do I Read or Interpret My CT Scan Results?

Your radiologist (a doctor trained in reading scans) will interpret the images and send a report to your ordering physician. They’ll then explain the results to you. It’s helpful to ask for a copy of the report and images if you want a second opinion or to keep for your records, but do not try to self-diagnose based on raw images. Imaging can be complex to interpret without medical training.

Bottom Line

A CT scan is a crucial diagnostic tool that can save lives, but prices differ sharply by setting and code. Direct examples span hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on:

• CPT Code and Body Part
• Insurance Status
• Contrast vs. Non-Contrast
• Inpatient vs. Outpatient
• Location

To avoid high bills, compare facilities, confirm CPT and network status, and ask whether contrast and interpretation are included. Request a Good Faith Estimate if self-pay. Do not delay an urgent scan.