Cost guide
How much does a CT scan cost?
Without insurance, a CT scan typically costs $300–$3,275. The national average is about $1,200, but a single non-contrast study at a freestanding center can run $300–$1,000, while the same scan at a hospital outpatient department costs $1,200–$3,275. Medicare pays roughly $185 at independent centers and $340 at hospitals — a useful floor for what the service is worth.
💰 What CT Scan costs without insurance
| Scenario | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash price — independent imaging center | $300 | Non-contrast, single region, self-pay. |
| Cash price — hospital outpatient | $1,200 | Facility + technical + radiologist fees. |
| National average billed | ~$1,200 | Across body regions and facilities. |
| Medicare allowed (reference) | $185 | Independent center vs hospital — a fair-value floor. |
🎯 Is your CT Scan bill fair?
Enter what your bill says and we'll flag it against the realistic fair range for this service.
Why the bill looks so high
Like most imaging, CT is priced off a hospital rack rate that is often 5–10x Medicare's allowed amount. The machine, contrast, technician, radiologist, and facility are billed as separate components. Uninsured patients are quoted the full rack rate unless they ask for the cash price.
What changes the price
- Body part and number of regions — a head CT (70450) costs far less than an abdomen/pelvis study (74176).
- Contrast — studies with IV contrast add roughly $200–$500.
- Place of service — hospital outpatient billing is typically 3–4x an independent center.
- Emergency vs scheduled — ER CT scans carry extra facility fees.
- Angiography or specialized protocols push totals into the thousands.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the cash/self-pay price before scheduling.independent centers routinely quote $300–$600.
- If your doctor orders a CT, ask whether the same answer can come from an ultrasound or X-ray with less cost and radiation..
- Request an itemized bill and compare each line to the ranges above; contest anything that looks like upcoding..
- For ER visits, question whether imaging was genuinely needed.ER facility fees are the biggest single driver of high totals.
CPT codes on your CT Scan bill
Each line of your bill maps to a CPT (and HCPCS) code. Look up the exact code to see what it means and what else may apply.
📄 Bill looks wrong? Generate a free appeal letter
Denied a claim or convinced a charge is wrong? Build a ready-to-send reconsideration letter in one click — no registration.
Generate an appeal letter →How much does a CT scan cost without insurance?
Typically $300–$3,275, with a national average around $1,200. Independent imaging centers charge $300–$1,000 for a single non-contrast study; hospital outpatient departments frequently charge $1,200–$3,275 for the same study.
Why is a CT scan at a hospital so expensive?
Hospital outpatient billing includes facility, technical, and professional fees at rack rates that are often 3–10x Medicare's allowed amount. The same machine at an independent center is far cheaper.
What CPT codes are used for CT scans?
Common ones include 70450 (head without contrast), 74176 (abdomen/pelvis without contrast), 71260 (chest with contrast), and 71271 (lung screening low dose). Your bill lists the exact code.
Can I get a lower CT scan price?
Yes — ask for the self-pay cash price, compare facilities, and request an itemized bill. Cash prices at independent centers are often a third of hospital charges.