CT Scan Cost

• 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 charges $340 for a calcium scoring scan. St. John Health 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, 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.

• 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.

• If a heart CT scan shows evidence of heart disease, further testing, follow up appointments with a cardiologist, and medication might be required.

• 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.

• 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 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 has a heart scan center locator by zip code.

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