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2026 Pricing Data

CT Scan Cost in 2026

National Average Estimate
$1,500
Typical range: $300 – $6,750
Risk Level
Low
Duration
10–30 min
Editorial illustration representing ct scan
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026

Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without

With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$1,500–$1,500
  • PPO (typical)$1,500
  • HDHP (high-deductible)$1,500
  • Medicare (outpatient)$296
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$300–$6,750
National average: $1,500
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.

Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.

What to Know About CT Scan Costs

Key Takeaways
  • National average: $1,500 (range: $300–$6,750)
  • Insurance: Usually Covered — Generally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT...
  • Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals

A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, uses X-rays to create detailed images of your body, helping diagnose conditions from infections to injuries. Over 80 million CT scans are performed annually in the United States, making it a common diagnostic tool.

The type of scan significantly impacts the price; for example, an abdominal and pelvic CT scan typically costs more than a head CT scan. Whether the scan is performed in a hospital setting or an outpatient imaging center also influences the total cost.

For potential savings, consider freestanding imaging centers, walk-in clinics, or urgent care centers. These can be more affordable than hospital-owned facilities, with savings exceeding 60% in some cases. If your doctor needs detailed soft tissue imaging, an MRI provides greater detail without radiation exposure. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.

Interactive Cost Breakdown

Where does your money go?

Typical allocation for a ct scan procedure at the national average price point.

Facility Fee
45% of total · $472-$877
$472-$877
Imaging center or hospital facility charge
Radiologist Reading
30% of total · $315-$585
$315-$585
Radiologist interpretation and report
Technologist Fee
25% of total · $262-$487
$262-$487
Imaging technologist performing the scan
Go Deeper

CT Scan Guides

CT Scan by State: Local Providers and Notes

Notable providers, programs, and local factors for ct scan in each state. We don't publish a state-by-state price for this procedure — there is no public hospital-level dataset to ground one — so use the national range above and request itemized quotes locally.

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State ▲▼
  • Radiology Assist (Birmingham): all-inclusive CT scan rates starting very low
  • Outpatient Diagnostic Center (Huntsville/Athens/Decatur): lower cash pay CT rates
  • Tuscaloosa: CT Bone Density Scan prices are lower than CT Angiography – Aorta
  • American Health Imaging (Huntsville): CT scans can be cheaper than hospitals
  • Radiology Assist (Anchorage): all-inclusive CT scan packages available
  • Imaging Associates of Alaska: serves Anchorage, Eagle River, Mat-Su Valley
  • Imaging Associates of Alaska: offers self-pay discount for upfront payment
  • Mat-Su Regional Medical Center: offers an uninsured discount
  • Alaska Health Care Price Transparency Law (AS 18.23.400): request good faith estimates
  • Radiology Assist: provides all-inclusive rates starting significantly lower
  • Arizona community-based imaging centers: may be 50% less expensive
  • Fort Smith ER & Hospital: CT scans for any body part without contrast at a set price
  • Prime Medical Imaging: competitive fees and payment plans in Arkansas and Oklahoma
  • Little Rock: wide range of CT scan costs, from Maxillofacial (Sinus) to Angiography - Pelvis
  • California Medical Imaging: cash prices for CTs below average hospital costs
  • Los Angeles: CT Maxillofacial (Sinus) may be cheaper than Heart CT Scan
  • Radiology Assist (Denver): CT scans for self-pay patients at competitive prices
  • MDsave: Combined CT scans with and without contrast available
  • Hartford: Chest CT scan averages $749 across 21 providers.
  • MDsave: CT scans with/without contrast from $466 to $886.
  • UConn Health Imaging (Farmington): Self-pay options for uninsured.
  • Midstate Radiology Associates: Outpatient imaging may be less expensive.
  • Connecticut: Average CT scan cost is higher than the national average.
  • Radiology Assist (Washington, D.C.): CT scans at competitive prices
  • MDsave: CT scans without contrast in the Washington Region offered
  • Chest CT Scan (Washington, D.C.): typically falls within a higher price range
  • CT Maxillofacial (Sinus): can be found at a much lower cost
  • MDsave: CT scans with contrast from $255 to $643 across Florida
  • Radiology Assist (Miami): scans from $139 for self-pay patients
  • Florida Cash Imaging: transparent cash-pay models for diagnostic services
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans from $180 in Atlanta and Stockbridge
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans from $151 in Gainesville
  • Georgia: Head CT averages around $230 cash price statewide
  • MDsave: CT scans with/without contrast from $316 to $700 across Georgia
  • Kailua: Radiology Assist offers discounted rates for self-paying patients.
  • Head CT scan: average cash price is around two hundred dollars.
  • Head CT: averages around two hundred dollars in Idaho.
  • Boise City: average CT costs can be higher.
  • Tellica Imaging: offers transparent flat-rate pricing under four hundred dollars.
  • Radiology Assist: self-pay scans starting from two hundred dollars.
  • Post Falls ER & Hospital: lists competitive cash prices for CTs.
  • Radiology Assist (Chicago): competitive cash prices for CT scans
  • Illinois Hospital Price Transparency Act (eff. 1/1/24): requires price disclosures
  • CT Bone Density Scan: can be less than CT Angiography of foot/ankle/leg/hip.
  • Indiana House Enrolled Act 1003: facilities must post prices and estimates.
  • Des Moines: CT scan prices vary significantly
  • Corridor Radiology: discounted cash-pay pricing
  • Muscatine Radiology: discounted cash-pay pricing
  • Radiology Consultants of Iowa (RCI) Imaging Center: often undercuts other facilities
  • Loring Hospital (Sac City): low self-pay rate for CT lung cancer screenings
  • Radiology Assist (Louisville): competitive self-pay CT scan rates
  • Kentucky law (KY SB243): hospitals must disclose "shoppable" service prices online
  • ProScan Imaging (Crestview Hills): may offer lower prices than hospitals
  • Heartland Imaging (Louisville): may offer lower prices than hospitals
  • Louisiana: Abdomen and pelvis CT averages $797.
  • Louisiana: Head CT averages $228.
  • Louisiana: Upper back pain CT scans average around $517.
  • MDsave: CT scans with and without contrast range from $462 to $701.
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans in Baton Rouge start from $132.
  • Radiology Assist (South Portland/Bangor): competitive CT scan pricing
  • MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland: head CT average is above state average
  • Maryland: State average for diagnostic imaging is $116.
  • Head CT in Maryland: averages $266.
  • Lower back CT in Maryland: averages $549.
  • Radiology Assist (Glen Burnie, MD): self-pay CT scans from $192.
  • MDsave: CT scans without contrast from $310 to $705.
  • Heart CT Scan: list price can be over $2,000.
  • Bone Density Scan: may be under $200.
  • Head CT scan: averages just over $200 for self-pay patients.
  • Radiology Assist (Framingham): offers competitive self-pay rates.
  • Radiology Assist (Sterling Heights/Royal Oak): competitive CT scan prices
  • Munson Healthcare’s Fair Market Health: cash-pay options at select radiology sites
  • Michigan Senate Bill 95: aims to improve price transparency
  • Billings: CT scan prices range from low (Bone Density) to higher (Angiography - Pelvis)
  • Montana Imaging Center (MIC): competitive cash-pay rates in Missoula and Kalispell
  • Kalispell MIC (opening Dec 2024): aims for low-cost, same-day MRI and CT scans
  • Kalispell MIC (opening Dec 2024): accepting walk-ins
  • Nebraska Health Imaging: Clear cash prices, no hidden fees
  • Nebraska Health Imaging: Outpatient centers may be more affordable than hospitals
  • Radiology Assist (Omaha): Self-pay options at competitive rates
  • CT Maxillofacial (Sinus): May be the least expensive CT scan in Omaha
  • Las Vegas: CT scans average around $1,135.
  • CT Bone Density Scan: as low as $130 in Las Vegas.
  • CT Angiography – Aorta: reaches $2,175 in Las Vegas.
  • Reno: CT scans average around $1,011.
  • CT Angiography – Chest: around $1,700 in Reno.
  • Tellica Imaging (Manchester/Nashua): offers flat-rate CT scans.
  • Radiology Assist (Manchester): all-inclusive rates for self-pay CT scans.
  • Derry Imaging & BASC Imaging (Bedford): may offer lower CT scan costs.
  • South Jersey Radiology: scans up to 60% less than hospitals
  • Feb 2024: 45% of surveyed NJ hospitals fully compliant with price transparency
  • New Mexico healthcare transparency website: launched Sept 2024 to compare prices
  • Albuquerque CT scan: prices vary widely depending on the type of scan
  • Santa Fe CT scan: average cost of $649
  • Radiology Assist (Albuquerque): self-pay scans from $202
  • Radiology Associates of Albuquerque: emphasizes affordability for self-pay
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans in New York City from $162 (self-pay)
  • CT scans in New York: generally between $550 and $1,400
  • CT Maxillofacial (Sinus) scan: as low as $280
  • NYC Health Department: Price Comparison tool for transparent pricing
  • Radiology Assist (Raleigh): Self-pay CT scans at competitive rates
  • UNC Health Southeastern: Cash pricing for imaging requires full payment and referral
  • Cardinal Points Imaging (Raleigh, Clayton, Wake Forest): Affordable prices, consolidated billing
  • NC Health Care Cost Reduction and Transparency Act: Price info publicly available
  • North Dakota: Head CT averages around $246.
  • North Dakota: Lower back CT averages around $508.
  • MDsave: CT scan with contrast averages $463.
  • MDsave: CT scan without contrast averages $282.
  • Bismarck: Average CT costs can reach $731.
  • Crystal Clear Imaging (Springfield): abdomen CTs at a fraction of Springfield Regional Medical Center.
  • Lumina (Northeast Ohio): CT scans for hundreds less than major healthcare systems.
  • Radiology Assist (Columbus): self-pay CT scans at a very competitive rate.
  • Ohio HB 173 (eff. April 2025): will make comparing hospital prices easier.
  • Radiology Assist (Oklahoma City): all-inclusive CT scan rates for self-pay
  • MDsave: CT scans without contrast from hundreds of dollars in Oklahoma City Region
  • Head CTs: average cost in the hundreds of dollars across Oklahoma
  • Touchstone Imaging Oklahoma City: may be less expensive than hospital imaging
  • Oklahoma Senate Bill 889: hospitals must publish easy-to-understand prices
  • Radiology Assist (Portland): Offers competitive cash-pay rates for CT scans
  • MDsave: Self-pay CT scans without contrast start from $160
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans from $154 (Philadelphia) or $245 (Allentown)
  • MDsave: CT scans without contrast from $290-$460
  • MDsave: CT scans with contrast from $315-$566
  • Average cash price statewide: $259 for a head CT scan
  • PA Act 52 of 2025: Eliminates cost-sharing for breast imaging
  • Providence: General CT scans average higher than RI averages.
  • Radiology Assist: All-inclusive self-pay CT scans in Providence & Warwick.
  • Rhode Island Hospital: Online tool estimates costs.
  • "No Surprises Act": Uninsured/self-pay patients get "good faith estimate".
  • Radiology Assist (Columbia): Previously offered all-inclusive CT scan rates.
  • Palmetto Imaging (West Columbia): CT scans listed on MDsave.
  • Piedmont Imaging (Spartanburg): CT scans listed on MDsave.
  • Tricounty Radiology Tricom N Charleston: CT scans listed on MDsave.
  • American Health Imaging (Columbia): Lower CT scan costs vs. hospitals.
  • South Dakota law: CT scan copied to electronic media limited to $15 fee.
  • Sioux Falls: Average CT cost is $1,106.
  • CT Bone Density Scan: Could be as low as $110.
  • Rapid City: Average CT costs are $992.
  • South Dakota hospitals: Required to provide online lists of standard charges.
  • Nashville-Davidson: CT costs average higher, but CT Bone Density Scan can be lower.
  • Nashville Healthcare Diagnostic Imaging: competitive self-pay CT rates.
  • Nashville Healthcare Diagnostic Imaging: explore self-pay options for CT scans.
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans from $133 in San Antonio
  • Dallas and Austin: Self-pay CT scan rates starting at $140
  • Houston: CT scans starting at $144 via Radiology Assist
  • Average cash price for a head CT scan in Texas: $239
  • Gateway Diagnostic Imaging (Dallas-Fort Worth): often better rates than hospitals
  • Radiology Assist: CT scans in Salt Lake City for self-pay patients
  • Murray, UT: Radiology Assist offers notably low cash price CT scans
  • Outpatient imaging centers: CT scans potentially 40% more affordable than hospitals
  • Mountain Medical: CT scans and interest-free payment plans offered
  • Vermont OPEN Imaging: Upfront pricing for non-contrast CT scans.
  • Radiology Assist (Burlington): Discounted self-pay CT scans.
  • University of Vermont Health Network hospitals: Check published standard charges.
  • Radiology Assist (Fairfax/Arlington): CT scans from $353 self-pay
  • MDsave: CT scans with contrast $425-$755, without $290-$705
  • Tysons Corner Diagnostic Imaging: 40-60% less than hospitals for CT scans
  • Radiology Assist (Spokane): all-inclusive CT scans for self-pay patients
  • Bellevue Medical Imaging: CT scans 30-50% more affordable than hospitals
  • Washington SB 5493: aims for greater price transparency by 2027
  • WVU Health System: publicly lists standard charges.
  • Charleston: CT Bone Density Scan may be cheaper than CT Angiography – Pelvis.
  • West Virginia: abdomen/pelvis CT scan cash price ~3x higher than head CT scan.
  • MDsave: CT scans with contrast from under $300.
  • Head CT: averages around $250 cash price.
  • Radiology Assist (Milwaukee): options starting lower for self-pay.
  • Waukesha: average CT cost exceeds $1000 based on median provider data.
  • MH Imaging: self-pay CT scans hundreds less than average hospital fees.
What Drives Price

Primary Pricing Factors

Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.

Body region — head CTs are typically less expensive than full chest-abdomen-pelvis scans
With vs. without contrast — IV contrast dye adds material and monitoring costs
Number of regions — multi-region scans (chest + abdomen + pelvis) cost more than single-area studies
Coverage & Financing

Paying for CT Scan

Usually Covered by Insurance

Generally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT scans are covered as emergency care.

See all procedures ranked by insurance coverage →

Financing Options

  • Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance ct scan
  • Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
  • Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $1,500 through your HSA/FSA saves you 20-35% versus after-tax dollars
  • Cash discounts — surgeons prefer upfront payment and often reduce the price by 10-20% for cash-pay patients
  • Charitable care programs — hospital financial assistance programs may help offset costs for qualifying patients
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does ct scan cost in 2026?
In 2026, ct scan costs $1,500 on average across the US. The typical range runs $300 to $6,750, with your final price shaped by geographic location, provider experience, and facility choice.
Does insurance cover ct scan?
Coverage status: Usually Covered. Generally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT scans are covered as emergency care. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and whether your provider is in-network.
What affects ct scan cost?
Your ct scan cost depends on body region, with vs. without contrast, number of regions. Beyond these procedure-specific factors, prices differ from one facility to the next even within the same city, so itemized quotes from more than one provider are worth getting.