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    How much does a CT Scan cost?

    Posted by John Holden on Sat, Jan 17, 2009
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    gold coinsCT scans are frequently ordered by doctors to look for and follow a variety of diseases. Although insurance covers most of the cost, with the growth of high deductible plans, higher copays, and catastrophe-only coverage, U.S. patients are increasingly paying more out of pocket for their medical care. And over 47 million uninsured people are faced with the full cost of a CT scan if they need one.

    CT prices are based on a number of factors:

    • body part or parts being examined
    • need for contrast/dye injection
    • done at hospital or outpatient imaging center
    • local competition

    CT Scan prices vary widely online

    If you are paying cash, you'll probably start searching for CT scan prices online. You'll find a wide range of prices $300 to $1500. On the low end of the scale, the scan may not include contrast (dye) and is only one part of the entire order. For example, if your doctor orders a CT scan of the Abdomen and Pelvis, he or she is actually ordering 2 tests. On the high end of the scale, you may be looking at what the facility "charges". That is, they determine the price based on what they get paid by insurance and then multiple that by 2 or 3. This pricing scheme is frequently used to calculate cash prices.

    Negotiating CT scan prices

    Negotiating prices for healthcare services can be time consuming and frustrating. Outpatient facilities that have a lot of local competition will be more willing to negotiate prices. Some will also split the cost into 2 or 3 payments. Hospitals are usually less willing to negotiate and start from a higher price point. Key things you need to ask:

    1. Does the price include contrast?
    2. Does the price include a copy of the films or a CD?
    3. If I have to come back for additional images, are these included?
    4. Is the facility ACR certified?
    5. Is the Radiologist Board Certified?

    In addition to doing online research and calling, fortunately there are a growing number of websites (like ours) that are working hard to make prices easy to find and help you understand what you're paying for.

    FYI: You can look up our prices for CT scans here.

    Have you tried shopping for an CT scan? How much did you pay? Did ask for and get a discount? Leave your comments below.

    Tags: ,

    COMMENTS

    Tampa General emergency room bill for one x ray and CT scan: $13, 270. Someone PLEASE tell me this is a billing error.

    posted @ Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:56 PM by jennifer cox


    Jennifer,  
     
    Keep in mind that the bill probably shows "charges" which are not what insurance companies pay for the exams. They pay much (much) lower amounts. You can try to negotiate with the hospital for a lower bill. 
     
    Unfortunately your story is not unusual, especially for uninsured patients...

    posted @ Wednesday, February 04, 2009 12:30 AM by Ravi Sohal


    More clarification on my issue: 
    Director of billing broke down the charges for me. Evidently my ONE, hear me, ONE 10 minute CT scan was actually THREE! (??) 
    1. $3,121 "basic?" CT scan 
    2. $3,934 spine 
    3. $2,783 head 
    PLUS... 
    an additional $896.00 dollars tacked on to EACH of these for some "state of the art precision laser" BS. This adds yet another $2,700 to the bill. 
    I am absolutely OUTRAGED by this. The billing supervisor said these charges are accurate But how do I determine what is reasonable?? I have no idea how to determine WHAT IS A REASONABLE FEE FOR THESE TESTS??? 
    ps. My fingers are crossed that my insurance will fully cover the ER visit with just a $100.00 copay.

    posted @ Monday, February 09, 2009 1:19 PM by Jennifer


    Manhattan, Kansas. If I have any kind of insurance, even catastrophic, and pay cash for my pelvic ct scan it costs about $900. If I have no insurance, the price is $2500. Really, this should be illegal.

    posted @ Monday, September 07, 2009 9:38 PM by Kathi Mayfield


    You are being charged what the service provider believes the market can bear. Given the cost of purchasing and operating the machine versus the revenues it produces, most people would not consider the prices you were charged to be reasonable, particularly in an emergency situation where there is no real opportunity to shop around or discussion of what the charges would be. My personal view is that what you were charged is immoral and that until service receivers protest the gross unfairness there will be no incentive to change.

    posted @ Friday, September 11, 2009 5:05 PM by Chris


    Outragious. I had a CT scan for what the Dr. belived to be diverticulitis but wanted to eliminate raptured appendix. Not appnd but got the bill for the CT and it was $7900.00 at the hospital. Like ya'll, it's gotta be a mistake. Insured but limited.

    posted @ Friday, September 18, 2009 6:23 PM by William


    Got a bill for over $7500.00 for a scan at Middlesex hospital vs $750.00 at Hartford hospital, same scan, go figure.

    posted @ Thursday, December 03, 2009 10:09 AM by Steve


    I had a similar example of outragous CD Scann cost. On 11/3/09 I had ONE scan of my abdomen WITHOUT contrast to locate kidney stones. It took less than 3 minutes to setup the machine. Cost of the scan was $5824.00!!! And this is with Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance coverage. 
     
     
     
    This was doen at Centennial medical Center in Nashville, TN. Next time, I will shop around and NOT go to where my doctor orders. It might take longer, but when it isn't an emergency, I don't need the soaking.

    posted @ Saturday, December 19, 2009 12:34 PM by Greg


    Went to ER for possible appendicitis and then the ER surgeon ordered a CT scan my IV clogged numerous times they finish the scans but then the contrast started to flow after they finally got the machine off and me of the test was positive for acute appendicitis and the bill was over $5000 just for the scan. This was one of the top hospitals in my state.

    posted @ Sunday, January 03, 2010 4:25 PM by No Name


    Had a CAT scan done at Binghamton General Hospital (Binghamton, NY) 1 pelvis, 1 abdomen, a NYS Surcharge (I <3 NY, please don't ever move here for any reason)... $4,282.72 no insurance.

    posted @ Friday, January 08, 2010 7:05 PM by Michael


    I was admitted to MIHS after a motorcycle acciddent and on top of all the other outrageous charges i also have a bill for $30,000 in CT scans.

    posted @ Saturday, January 16, 2010 2:49 PM by rosa


    Write your congressman. This is why we need some kind of healthcare legislation...even with insurance.

    posted @ Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:50 PM by vince


    Think the cost of your CT scan is too high? Don't pay the bill until they get the price down to earth. Shop around and get an idea of what a reasonable price is. In California and probably other states if a contractor fails to tell you up front what something costs, you are only obligated to pay a reasonable fee. Consult an attorney to be sure--it could save you thousands!

    posted @ Saturday, February 06, 2010 6:14 PM by William Pinn


    CT Scan bill for face and neck looking for abnormal masses found nothing was in the facility here in Georgia less than 1 hr Got the bill $7,984.54 disputed the bill with BC/BS was told thats what it is my end $2054.17 thats with ins. what a joke how does a normal working class person pay such a bill without going bankrupt?how do I handle this bill what do I do? any advise is appreciated

    posted @ Friday, April 02, 2010 8:56 AM by J.R.Smith


    WELL I WENT TO THE DOCTORS WITH A HEADACHE THAT WAS JUST PAINFUL AND RADIATED THROUGH MY JAW AND TEMPLE. THEY ORDERED A CT SCAN ON MY HEAD. I EVEN ASKED COULD THIS JUST BE TMJ? GOT THE SCAN ANYWAY. AND LETS SEE WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? I HAD TMJ. AND IM WAITING ON THE BILL WHICH SHOULD BE OUTRAGEOUS. AND I EVEN DIAGNOSED MYSELF.

    posted @ Tuesday, April 13, 2010 1:18 AM by lorie


    Was in a car accident two weeks ago. Wasn't my fault - lady ran red light and basically t-boned me. Was taken to Tampa General Hospital where I had a CAT scan, chest x-ray, tetanus shot and one valium. Was there a couple hours total. Just got a discharge notice and summary of charges yesterday for a grand total of......$11,316. WOW! X-ray and CAT scan were $9,762 combined. They only did a head/neck CAT scan and a chest x-ray. CAT scan took 10 minutes tops. X-ray took about 3 minutes tops. 
     
    I've requested a detailed list of charges and I'm hoping the person who hit me has good coverage as I don't feel I should be on the hook for any of this.

    posted @ Tuesday, April 20, 2010 2:27 PM by Kevin


    I seriously adore your own posting taste, very charming. 
    don’t quit as well as keep creating since it just worth to look through it. 
    looking forward to looked over more of your current posts, good bye ;) 

    posted @ Wednesday, May 26, 2010 11:38 PM by cash for gold tampa


    around about is the price of a mri of the left knee only.if anyone can give me an idea. i live in greenville, s.c. thanks this is out of pocket cost

    posted @ Thursday, June 03, 2010 10:25 PM by angie arteaga


    Angie, 
     
    Click on "Home" above and you can look up prices for a knee MRI in your area.

    posted @ Monday, June 07, 2010 5:29 PM by Ravi Sohal


    You all should go to (remakehealth.com), 
     
    they list thousands of facilities around the country for different tests, and their cheap. (ie. ct abdomen scan $260.Fl.)

    posted @ Thursday, July 01, 2010 9:45 PM by Bob Bear


    If we continue to act like sheep and not protest loudly and often to the hospitals and politicians, we will all continue to be bled to death, because with or without health insurance, make no mistake we are ALL paying for these obscene scenarios. I went to the ER for severe pain between my shoulder blades - 6 hrs. total in the ER - one xray and one cat scan and one IV and Dr. chat - cost over $12,000. Turned out to be gallstones.

    posted @ Friday, July 16, 2010 11:02 AM by Sandra Schroppe


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