February 9, 2023
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February 9, 2023

How Much Is a CT Scan Without Insurance?

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How Much Is a CT Scan Without Insurance?

Key takeaways:

  • CT scan is a medical imaging test used to detect abnormalities, including cancer.
  • Without insurance, CT scans can be extremely expensive.
  • The cost varies depending on the location and type of CT scan.
  • For certain purposes, full-body MRI scans can offer more detail and be safer.

CT (computed tomography) scans are imaging tests that help detect abnormalities inside the body. Medical practitioners often prescribe them to give a picture of the inside of the body. Many oncologists also use CT scans to screen for cancer.

CT scans, or CAT scans, do not come cheap, especially if you don’t have insurance. Cost can deter some people from getting scans when they need them.

A lack of transparent CT scan pricing is also a cause of concern as clinics and hospitals quote different prices based on multiple factors. So, it’s common to wonder, “How much is a CT scan without insurance?”

What Is a CT Scan?

A computed tomography scan (CT scan) is an imaging test used to detect abnormalities affecting the internal organs. A CT scanner uses X-rays and advanced computer software to create cross-dimensional, detailed images of the body parts.

How Much Is a CT Scan Without Insurance?

How much is a CT scan without insurance: happy couple at home

The cost of a CT scan varies depending on your location, type of facility (hospital vs. standalone imaging center), mode of admission (routine or emergency), type of CT scan (body part involved), etc.

Specific CT scan procedures, hospital tests, and in-house admissions can cost even more. These prices are so variable that it is difficult to pin down an average.

However, to give you an idea, the national average cost for a chest CT scan is $3,275, with prices ranging from $300 to $6,750. Emergency scans costs can be staggering, as this story reflects.

When an insurance company decides imaging tests are necessary, insurance might pay at least part of the cost of a CT scan and leave you with a copay.

However, how you split the cost depends on your insurance plan. For instance, if you have opted for a high deductible insurance plan and you haven’t met your deductible yet, you may have to pay the full price.

To understand how much you’ll need to pay for an imaging test, you’ll need to go through your policy and find your deductible.  

However, if you are going for an elective test, you might have to pay the entire amount from your pocket, depending on how your insurance company covers elective imaging tests.

Bottom line: If you are looking to save money on a CT scan, you have to do some research.

Why Is a CT Scan Costly?

CT scan cost can be divided as follows:

  • Technical fees
  • Professional fees
  • Overhead fees

1. Technical Fees

Technical fees include a portion of the cost of procuring, running, and maintaining a CT scanner.

CT scan equipment is expensive. New CT equipment can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Building the specialized suite where the scanner is situated also tends to be expensive.

2. Professional Fees

CT scan requires an expert team headed by a radiologist — a medical practitioner certified by the American Board of Radiology — and other health professionals.

3. Overhead Fees

The hospital or medical imaging center often must pay for their space, electricity and phone bills, administration and management charges, etc.

Since overhead costs can vary between centers depending on the location, the quality of services offered, and the scale of operation, the cost of a CT scan also varies.

For example, in a city like New York, rent bills are on the higher side. This is reflected in the bill. In a smaller town, you may get the same service using the same technology for a lesser cost. However, the number of customers in a given period also matters.

At ezra, however, patient costs are the same regardless of the location. Ezra’s locations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami offer comprehensive whole-body MRI scan services at a low, fixed price.

How To Get an Imaging Test Without Worrying About Pricing

How much is a CT scan without insurance: person filling-out a form
Although CT scans play an important role in healthcare by detecting many abnormalities which may indicate serious medical conditions, the cost can be substantial if your health insurance doesn’t pay for the bulk of it.

To add to that, many centers turn down medical imaging requests without referrals and insurance coverage. This delays the treatment process of a potential medical problem, and the condition can worsen in the meantime. This delay may also shoot up the total expenses of the treatment.

The Case for an MRI Scan

MRI scans provide a more detailed image of the inside of the body. Ezra’s MRI scans are accurate, fast, safe, and painless.

Ezra offers competitive, transparent pricing for exceptional imaging services.

The ezra Full Body, our most popular plan, is an MRI-based scan service designed to screen up to 13 organs for potential cancer and costs $1,950, or $180 a month.

We also offer 3-year and 5-year ezra plans at $5,300 and $7,000, respectively. These plans offer savings of up to 40% off our yearly ezra Scans.

At ezra, we believe that every individual should take control of their health and stay a step ahead of potential medical issues.

That’s why imaging tests should be part of your annual healthcare routine. It can put you a step ahead of potential health issues and can improve your prognosis. We also believe in providing quality services at fixed, transparent prices, to empower people to make the right choices.

From booking your appointment online to providing you with access to friendly healthcare professionals, we make imaging seamless and effortless.

Ezra Full Body Plus: A Better Imaging Option

Happy couple in their living room

An ezra Full Body is a 60-minute MRI scan service of up to 13 organs. It includes a 45-minute follow-up consultation, a personal Care Advisor, and a midyear check-in.

The ezra Full Body Plus scans up to 15 organs for signs of cancer. This scan also includes a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer in at-risk individuals.

The best part is that you can pay for an ezra Scan with your FSA or HSA plan. Ezra’s imaging centers provide scans at fixed prices across the country. Taking charge of your health is empowering. Book your ezra Scan today.