Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Tests, X-Rays & Imaging > CT Scan

CT Scan Cost


How Much Does a CT Scan Cost?

 
average costWith Insurance: Copays and/or Coinsurancehigh costWithout Insurance: $50-$1,000

A CT scan of the heart can help predict a patient's risk of heart attack by checking for blockage in the coronary arteries.

Typical costs:

  • There are two types of heart CT most commonly used; the less invasive calcium scoring heart CT scan, which uses computerized tomography is used to detect calcification in the arteries, is less expensive; the more invasive CT angiography, which uses a 64-slice scanner to create a detailed three-dimensional image of the heart, is more expensive.
  • For patients not covered by health insurance, the typical cost of a calcium scoring heart CT scan is $50 to $350, while the typical cost of CT angiography ranges from $500 to $1,000. For example, the Heart & Vascular Hospital at Sanford in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers calcium scoring scans for $50. The Cleveland Clinic[1] charges $340 for a calcium scoring scan. St. John Health[2] in Michigan, which performs CT angiography, charges $700.
  • A heart CT scan generally would be covered by health insurance only if prescribed by a doctor for a patient at risk for coronary artery disease or who has symptoms such as chest pain; but some insurers do not cover the test under any circumstances. Examples include Medicare, which covers heart CT scans, and Aetna[3] , which considers them medically necessary for certain patients, such as those with chest pain or a positive stress test result, and experimental for others.
  • For patients covered by health insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs typically range from nothing to a copay or coinsurance of 10 to 20 percent, up to $200 for a $1,000 procedure. An example is BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico HMO plans, which require prior authorization but charge no copay for a cardiac CT scan.
Related articles: Biopsy

What should be included:
  • During a calcium scoring heart CT scan, which takes about 10 minutes, computerized tomography is used to detect calcification in the arteries, which can indicate a risk of heart disease. A doctor evaluates the results and assigns a calcium score. If no calcium is found, the test is considered "negative," which means the patient has a low, but not non-existent, risk of future problems such as heart attack.
  • During a coronary CT angiography test, the patient is given a contrast fluid via an IV, and usually a 64-slice scanner creates a detailed three-dimensional image of the beating heart that a doctor can examine for evidence of fatty or calcium deposits. This test is less invasive and less expensive, but somewhat less accurate, than the standard angiogram.
Additional costs:
  • If a heart CT scan shows evidence of heart disease, further testing, follow up appointments with a cardiologist, and medication might be required.
Discounts:
  • Some scan centers or hospitals offer a discount to patients paying out-of-pocket. For example, the Minneapolis Heart Institute, which normally charges $639.50 for a scan, charges $275 to patients who pay at the time of the appointment.
Shopping for a ct scan:
  • Heart CT scans can be useful for some patients, but are somewhat controversial. They are not recommended for patients with a very low heart attack risk -- below 55 with few risk factors for coronary artery disease -- or a very high risk. Heart CT scans can be used more successfully in patients with an intermediate risk, such as those aged 55 to 65 who have borderline high cholesterol or blood pressure or who smoke. The Mayo Clinic[4] has a guide to heart CT scans.
  • The Mayo Clinic recommends having a heart CT scan done through a referral from a primary care physician, who can help interpret risk and decide whether the patient is a good candidate, rather than having the scan at a walk-in clinic that does not require a doctor referral. Or, ScanDirectory.com[5] has a heart scan center locator by zip code.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
post Post   Comments (40)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Page 2 of 2   -   << Previous   1   2   

CT scan
Amount: $10,059.00
Posted by: coldwarrelic in Las Cruces, NM.Posted: January 27th, 2022 11:01AM
Medical Center: Mountainview /Las Cruces NMInsurance: Medicare
Ct scan of abdomen for possible hernia. This was a test not surgery. The test took approximately 9 minutes and charged $10,059 for diagnostic imaging.
Will never use this hospital or its services again.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Visit ER
Amount: $26,200.00
Posted by: TTS in Stamford, CT.Posted: August 8th, 2020 11:08PM
Medical Center: Stamford HospitalInsurance:
I went to the hospital with a high pain in my lower abdmen. I was with this pain about two weeks and then got worse. Everybody told me, "just go to the hospital if think you are going to die". That's what I thought...
I had insurance but it didn't covered it.
So when the bill came, they charged 26,000 because of 4 hours there. The CT was 9,000. They did an ultrasound,too...
Also they did a pregnacy exam which I told that was impossible to be.
At the hospital doctor talked with me for less than 5 min saying that I had nothing, just a little mass on the liver.
I received the bill and I got sick. I thought in killing myself. I have depression, panic atttack and other desorders.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Cardiac CT Scan
Amount: $200.00
Posted by: F. Lumpkin in Greensboro, NC.Posted: March 19th, 2020 08:03AM
Medical Center: Moses Cone HospitalInsurance: United Health Care
My Cardiac CT Scan was completed on October 29, 2019. I paid a copay of $100 prior to the procedure. On November 5, 2019, I was billed for an additional $100 copay for a technical comment provided by a physician. The technical comment was billed at over $2700.
My insurance company does not see anything unusual about such an expensive comment.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
ER Visit
Amount: $9,354.00
Posted by: USA Healthcare is a scam in Wichita, KS.Posted: April 26th, 2018 02:04PM
Medical Center: Wesley Medical CenterInsurance: State Farm
2 hours in the er, talk to doctor for a whole 10 minutes(before/after CT scan). Only procedure was a CT scan to ensure no spine damage after an accident. Nothing found, no medicine given. Recieve Bill for $9354 including $6600 for CT scan and $2550 just to talk to a doctor for 10 mins. How this is legal and not profiteering off someones misfortunes is beyond me...this country makes me sick seeing this kind of profiteering being allowed. Leaders of this country are just scum allowing this! We need a revolution!!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
4 hr stay in ER, $15k charges, $12.5k for CT scan
Amount: $14,997.00
Posted by: Jamie Tsneg in Fullerton, CA.Posted: March 9th, 2018 02:03PM
Medical Center: St Jude Medical centerInsurance: Blue Shield
Drove myself to ER for abdominal pain. CT ordered. Doctor came. Another CT ordered with contrast. Minor appendix infection. Went home and get some anti-biotics. Bill came. WOW. $15k for the visit. $12.5k for CT scan. I need to pay $5,006. Why. Why....
I pay health insurance all my life. Almost never used. One time only, I lost my trust to the system totally.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Absurd charges for two CT scans in ER
Amount: $12,328.00
Posted by: RW in SF in San Francisco, CA.Posted: October 17th, 2017 08:10AM
Medical Center: Davies CA Pacific Med CtrInsurance: Aetna PPO
This is the amount charged for 2 scans of head and neck, one with contrast. I came to the ER with a searing headache, and the scans were ordered to check for aneurysms. Three hrs later, I was released with "just a headache". After insurance and "discounts" I owe $1308.66 for entire 3 hr visit.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT Scan of Lower Extremities w/dye contrast (outpatient test)
Amount: $11,245.00
Posted by: Paul St Maur in Laurel, NJ.Posted: August 2nd, 2017 09:08AM
Medical Center: Virtua Hospital Voorhees, NJInsurance: Aetna
My cardiologist ordered this test to view blockages in my leg arteries. The hospital charged $1,625.00 for the dye alone. (My doctor said the dye costs about $30.00) My out of pocket cost (co-pay) was $1,167.87.
When I called the billing department to request monthly payments, I was offered a 30% discount right off the bat, which of course I accepted. That brought my out of pocket expense down to $817.50, for which I am grateful, but that's still an outrageously high price for a simple five minute test.
No wonder our health care system is in such deep crisis. It would appear that the hospitals and insurance carriers are in collusion, and the patients are left with exorbitant bills, never mind that my wife and I pay almost $1,500 per month in premiums as well as having to satisfy a $3,500.00 deductible before they pay dime one.
It is embarrassing that our country is the only developed country that doesn't have single payer health care. The price gouging is out of control.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
RIP OFF
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: a user in BAYONNE, NJ.Posted: June 9th, 2017 07:06AM
Medical Center: NONEInsurance: BCBS
ALL HOSPITAL CAN BILL WHATEVER THEY WANT. MAKE SURE YOUR INSURAN COMPANY IN NETWORK WITH YOUR INSURANCE, IF THEY ARE OUT OF NETWORK DON'T GO . MY ADVISED ONLY IF YOU HAVING A HEAR ATTACK. THAT HOW THEY GET US , WHEN THEY ARE OUT OD NETWORK.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Brain CT Scan
Amount: $5,041.00
Posted by: Ms. Olson in Murrieta, California in Murrieta, CA.Posted: November 7th, 2016 10:11AM
Medical Center: Loma Linda University Medcal CenterInsurance: None
The hospitals in the U.S. is like going to an expensive restaurant that does not have any prices on the menu.
The hospital bill while in the ER was $400, and I was seen by the doctor in the hallway along with several other patients. I was advised the price would be higher if I did not pay it right then. Doctor bill, received in the mail, $665 for evaluation & management, plus electrocardiogram interpretation. Later mailed was another hospital bill of $4041. The bill was not itemized. A friend who works in medical billing told me that the cost is usually 1400-1600 for a CT Scan. I researched this and found she was correct. I asked Loma Linda Medical Center about this and they said they review their costs against other hospitals in the area and they keep their costs competitive within the area.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CAT SCAN
Amount: $1,948.00
Posted by: Bailey2 in orlando, FL.Posted: August 5th, 2016 08:08AM
not counting drugs which added 1,397.00
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
pain in my ???
Amount: $21,181.01
Posted by: Elizabeth in Melbourne in Rockledge, FL.Posted: April 27th, 2016 09:04AM
Medical Center: WuesthoffInsurance: Yes
Fortunately, I had insurance but still had to pay a high out of pocket. I was in there for pains in my lower abdomen. They scanned my stomach/chest area not even my whole body. Was in the ER for 6 hours, one pain medicine. Did a pregnancy test on me even though I could have told them I can't get pregnant. What a rip off!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Ct scan of head
Amount: $5,100.00
Posted by: Crushed in Hartford, CT.Posted: March 31st, 2016 06:03AM
Medical Center: Echn ConnecticuntInsurance: Blue cross
Went in with bad headache and 1 hour later walked out with 10 painkillers and ct scan with negative results , a month later bill for $5100 which blue cross paid $1100 and I got stuck with $4000, a year and a half later still paying and owe $1500 will be paid off by dec 2016 no vacation this year but I'm healthy
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT scan with contrast of pelvis and chest
Amount: $11,911.59
Posted by: a user in Duarte, CA.Posted: January 11th, 2016 07:01PM
Medical Center: City of HopeInsurance: Assurant Health, Aetna
I am in remission from NHL and have CT scans to monitor lymph node growth. I love City of Hope; have had a wonderful experience there and would recommend it to anyone with cancer, but I was shocked to get a statement from my insurance company about the charges for the CT scans and one follow-up doctor visit. Thankfully I found this site and what other hospitals and clinics are charging, but it's still crazy and I am upset. I called the hospital and they're sending me an itemized bill. I'll be turning 65 soon and will go on Medicare, hopefully it will be cheaper. Otherwise, who can afford this?? The cost is unconscionable.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT Scan of Pelvic at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach
Amount: $4,526.00
Posted by: Mark Karatas in Newport Beach, CA.Posted: December 29th, 2015 02:12PM
Medical Center: Hoag HospitalInsurance: Blue Cross
Walked in to Hoag ER on 11/26/15. Had abdominal pain. Later I found out it was due to a kidney stone. While in ER they gave me IV as well as pain medication. They drew blood and urine and came back with inconclusive results. They decided to do a CT scan. I was in the room no more than 3 min. I came back to my ER room and the DR told me it was a kidney stone. Just received the bill and they charged $ 4,526.00 for the CT scan!!! Are you kidding me??? My total bill was 8K. These Hospitals need the get a grip on reality. Our government is sitting and watching our medical organizations rape our people. This is unacceptable.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
cost of cat scan
Amount: $9,200.00
Posted by: kenny albert in key west, FL.Posted: November 15th, 2015 02:11PM
Medical Center: lower keys medical centerInsurance: aetna
I went in for abdominal pain. $8,900 for a cat scan.$300 for the guy operating the machine.they said everything came out normal. it was ulcers
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT Scan for Chest Pain
Amount: $9,440.00
Posted by: M. Conrad in Richmond, VA.Posted: October 18th, 2015 04:10PM
Medical Center: St FrancisInsurance: Anthem
Actually wasn't able to get scan prescribed by my doctor for acute chest pain, because the medical center cancelled my appointment saying that Anthem refused to cover the procedure. Now I'm not sure what to do. My deductible is over $5300 thanks to the ACA and I don't earn enough to qualify for a subsidy, so even if Anthem came through this would be a major hit, plus the charge for a professional to 'read' the scan isn't included.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
ct scan abdomen & pelvis w/o contrast
Amount: $11,057.25
Posted by: Jo NeNe in Edmond, OK.Posted: September 15th, 2015 11:09AM
Medical Center: OU Med ER Clinic, Everett DrInsurance: BCBS
In ER for about 2 hours. Included in the $11K bill is a abdomen and pelvic ct scan, no contrast for $6365.50! All info I've seen shouldn't have been more than $2000-$2500. Also charged $2200 for the ER room. Rest of charges are somewhat higher than what I expected. Doc was NOT IN A GOOD MOOD!!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Abdominal CT scan in free standing ER
Amount: $19,500.00
Posted by: Upset more than my stomach in Colorado Springs, CO.Posted: August 27th, 2015 03:08PM
Medical Center: First ChoiceInsurance: Aetna
First Choice ER saw me for abdominal pain. I was in the ER for a total of 3 hours, had a CT scan, and EKG and fluids. They gave me two medications and the bill was $19,500. They couldn't determine what was the cause and I went home and continued to have the pain.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
RIDICULOUSLY HIGH E.R. & AMBULANCED BILLS!
Amount: $14,000.00
Posted by: Nikki Latimer in Richland Center, WI.Posted: July 19th, 2015 09:07PM
Medical Center: RICHLAND HOSPITALInsurance: BC/BS
$10,500 FOR A FEW HRS IN THE ER & THE CT SCAN ALONE WAS $3500 AT RICHLAND HOSPITAL IN RICHLAND CENTER,WI THEN BARABOO AMBULANCE CHARGED $3500 FOR THE AMBULANCE RIDE TO UNIVERSITY OF WI HOSPITAL....IT'S ALL A CRAZY, HUGE RIP-OFF!!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Ct scan of abdomen w/ contrast to rule out appendicitis
Amount: $3,437.00
Posted by: Eric V in Dover, DE.Posted: July 17th, 2015 01:07PM
Medical Center: BayHealthInsurance: None
Ridiculous amount to charge for a CT scan of the abdomen for a 4 year old child. I contacted a company down the street and asked how much they would charge for the same service... $575 cash.
Now I understand we're talking about a hospital, a higher level of experts and a higher overhead for the hospital, but $3,437 vs $575? Come on. And that doesn't even include the $401 'reading' charge... for reading the CT scan. What a joke... I'm in the medical field and I know exactly what goes on and how long it takes to generate a report for the average CT scan... a few minutes... MAX. The software programs basically write the report for the doctor.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Abdomen, pelvis cat scan w/contrast/1 night hospital stay
Amount: $15,099.00
Posted by: fedupwithbeingriped in Sarasota, FL.Posted: March 4th, 2015 12:03PM
Medical Center: Sarasota MemorialInsurance: Blue Cross
My husband went to the Sarasoat Memorial ER in North Port with severe stomach pain were a abdomen, pelvis cat scan with contrast was done for 7,224. Was then transported to Sarasota Memorial in Sarasota for a one night stay. Total bill=19,000. Ins.paid=4,809.We are on the hook for 15,099.11 When hell freezes over will we be taken advantage of like this.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
ct scan after a wreck
Amount: $10,358.85
Posted by: Connie Mc in Gulfport, MS.Posted: January 1st, 2015 09:01AM
Medical Center: Garder Park of Gulfport, MSInsurance: none
After being involved in a collision I was taken to Garden Park Medical Center by ambulance. I was complaining of lower back pain but they wanted to check my head for glass with a ct scan and while they were at it curing the same test they check my C-spine, not the area where I was in pain. I was in the hospital for less then 3 hours got a couple of stitches in my knee and got a bill for $17,261.70.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
abdominal CT Scan for hospital acquired constipation on admission for Shortness of Breath
Amount: $252,000.00
Posted by: Dorothy V in Sacramento, CA.Posted: December 28th, 2013 10:12AM
Medical Center: Dignity Health Mercy San JuanInsurance: Medicare
71 yro, I was admitted for SOB, shortness of breath, I didn't have a BM in the hospital for 14 days, no one listened to me. At my daughter's insistence they did an X-Ray then this CT Scan, found I was full of BM and medications they gave me caused this problem. Finally called in a GI doctor, who told me it was too late, I was now septic and dying. GI doctor could not believe that they waited 14 days to ask for his advice. Hospital billed govt. $252,000 for this one CT scan 14 days into my stay, it was too late.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT Scan Pelvic area
Amount: $3,432.00
Posted by: Lois of Centralia in Centralia, WA.Posted: November 13th, 2013 05:11PM
Medical Center: Providence Hospitial, WAInsurance: no insurance
Looking around at different costs of CT scans in WA., I was shocked to see what the final bill came to. Why dose'nt congress put a cap on how much hospitals are charging for care??? I call them "the Pirates of Medicine". Total bills for 5 hrs in the ER = $9,011.00!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
CT of the Abdomen
Amount: $6,624.00
Posted by: Angela W in Centralia, IL.Posted: October 30th, 2013 01:10PM
Medical Center: St. Mary\'s HospitalInsurance: self pay
Went to the ER with abdominal pain. Got told ovarian cyst. This is going to cost $9,048.20 for 4 hours in a room without the doctors charges. How can one place charge $6,624.00 for a test that other places are charging $1,700.00 for.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam

Page 2 of 2   -   << Previous   1   2   



 

Comment On Your Experience With a CT Scan
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Medical Center: Insurance: 
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/services/tests/radiograph/cascan.aspx
  2.  www.stjohnprovidence.org/HeartScan/WhatToExpect/
  3.  www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0228.html
  4.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-scan/MY00327/DSECTION=why%2Dits%2Ddone
  5.  www.scandirectory.com/content/heart_scan.asp
More Health & Personal Care Topics
Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care How Much Does Chemotherapy Cost? How Much Does Growing Medical Marijuana Outdoors Cost? How Much Do Crutches Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost