California

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in California

Name: CT Chest Cost in California (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

California operates the largest state-based healthcare system in the nation, with over 39 million residents creating significant demand for diagnostic imaging services. Chest CT Scan procedures across the Golden State show considerable price variation, with negotiated rates ranging from $25 at the lowest to $521 at the highest end, based on transparency data from 10,242 active providers. California's extensive network of imaging centers and hospital systems offers patients numerous options for finding quality Chest CT Scan services throughout the state's diverse metropolitan and rural regions.

Average

$210

Median

$85

Lowest

$25

Highest

$521

Providers

10,242

National avg: $302California: $210

30% below national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in California?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$55	$85	$654	9,774
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$75	$80	$505	10,126
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$72	$96	$470	6,585
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$70	$85	$672	15,496

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 71260 — CT chest with contrast). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 71260 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 71260 (CT chest with contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 71260 covers: the provider's professional fee for ct chest. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Full data methodology and glossary

Chest CT Scan Visit Costs by City in California — 2026

Chest CT Scan costs fluctuate significantly across California's vast geography, from the dense urban markets of Los Angeles and San Francisco to smaller Central Valley communities, reflecting variations in facility overhead, provider competition, and local market dynamics. ---CITY_SUMMARIES---

City	Min Cost	Median Cost	Max Cost
West Hollywood	$80	$791	$791
Beverly Hills	$74	$278	$791
Palm Desert	$33	$270	$928
Travis Afb	$54	$212	$691
South Lake Tahoe	$97	$197	$407
Roseville	$62	$171	$223
Chula Vista	$62	$171	$300
Pleasant Hill	$62	$171	$171
Saratoga	$62	$171	$171
Gilroy	$62	$171	$171

Costs reflect self-pay estimates based on insurer-negotiated rates. Insured patients may pay significantly less depending on plan type, deductible status, and network tier.

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Why Chest CT Scan Visit Costs Vary Across California

California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above the national average, driven by the state's high cost of living, stringent regulatory environment, and concentrated urban markets where facility overhead expenses significantly exceed national norms. The Golden State's unique geography creates dramatic cost variations between metropolitan coastal regions and inland rural areas where provider options remain limited.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

California's population concentration along the coastal corridor from San Diego to San Francisco creates intense competition among imaging facilities in major metros, while rural areas in the Central Valley and northern counties often have limited options. Patients in Los Angeles and Bay Area markets can choose from dozens of imaging centers within a 20-mile radius, whereas residents of rural counties may need to travel 50+ miles for specialized imaging services. This geographic disparity directly affects pricing power, with rural facilities able to charge premium rates due to limited competition.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments dominate California's major health systems like Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai, typically charging higher rates due to facility fees and administrative overhead. Independent imaging centers and radiology groups offer more competitive pricing but may have limited geographic coverage outside major metropolitan areas. California's strict licensing requirements and high real estate costs create significant barriers to entry, limiting new facility development and maintaining higher average prices.

Insurance Market Competition in California

California's insurance landscape is dominated by Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente's integrated model, and UnitedHealthcare, with each maintaining different provider networks and negotiated rate structures. Kaiser's closed-loop system keeps imaging costs internal to their organization, while Anthem and UnitedHealthcare compete for provider contracts in the broader market. This concentrated insurer market gives major health plans significant negotiating leverage with imaging facilities, though rate variations remain substantial across different network tiers.

Physician Supply and Demand in California

With over 10,000 active Chest CT Scan providers throughout California, the state maintains adequate imaging capacity in metropolitan areas while facing shortages in rural regions. California's large population and aging demographics create strong demand for diagnostic imaging services, supporting premium pricing in markets with high patient volumes. The state's physician shortage in certain specialties doesn't significantly affect radiology services, as most chest CT interpretation can be performed remotely through teleradiology networks that serve multiple facilities.

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Chest CT Scan Costs in California

What is the average cost of a Chest CT Scan visit in California without insurance?

Based on negotiated rate data from over 10,000 California providers, Chest CT Scan costs range from $25 to $521, with a median cost of $85. Uninsured patients often receive cash-pay discounts of 30-50% off standard rates, making the actual out-of-pocket cost potentially lower than these negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay prices vary significantly between hospital-based facilities and independent imaging centers, with freestanding centers typically offering the most competitive rates for cash-paying patients.

Does California Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, California's expanded Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) covers medically necessary Chest CT Scan procedures when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. Patients must use imaging facilities that accept Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and may need prior authorization depending on the specific clinical indication. Coverage includes both the technical component (the scan itself) and professional component (radiologist interpretation), though patients should confirm network participation before scheduling.

How do I find an affordable Chest CT Scan near me in California?

Compare prices between hospital outpatient departments and independent imaging centers, as freestanding facilities often charge 50-70% less for identical services. Ask about cash-pay discounts even if you have insurance, particularly if you haven't met your annual deductible. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout California may offer sliding-scale pricing based on income, and some facilities provide interest-free payment plans to spread costs over several months.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Chest CT Scan procedures are typically billed as diagnostic imaging studies rather than consultation visits, so there's usually no difference between initial and follow-up scans from a billing perspective. The cost depends on the specific type of chest CT ordered (with or without contrast, high-resolution technique, etc.) and the facility performing the study. However, if you need to see a pulmonologist or other specialist to discuss results, new patient consultations generally cost more than established patient follow-up visits.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Chest CT Scan visit in California?

Yes, Chest CT Scan procedures are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes both the imaging study itself and any related physician consultations or follow-up care. Keep all receipts and documentation from your imaging facility, as you may need to provide proof of medical necessity if your HSA/FSA administrator requests additional information for reimbursement.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Chest CT Scan in California?

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, many California providers now offer telehealth consultations to discuss results and follow-up care, which typically costs less than in-person visits. Some radiologists provide virtual consultations to review imaging findings with patients, reducing the need for additional office visits. California's robust telehealth infrastructure, expanded during the pandemic, allows patients to combine in-person imaging with remote consultations for more cost-effective care coordination.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$131

$2,723

Office visit (CPT 71260)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	North Dakota(ND) Range: $118 – $7,881	$2,723	$118	$7,881	653
2	Minnesota(MN) Range: $80 – $7,881	$2,711	$80	$7,881	3,188
3	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $863	$363	$73	$863	4,270
4	Georgia(GA) Range: $61 – $699	$319	$61	$699	3,315
5	Wyoming(WY) Range: $54 – $598	$287	$54	$598	184
6	Nevada(NV) Range: $80 – $453	$272	$80	$453	2,690
7	Maine(ME) Range: $93 – $439	$262	$93	$439	1,705
8	Nebraska(NE) Range: $108 – $415	$246	$108	$415	2,647
9	Hawaii(HI) Range: $67 – $348	$243	$67	$348	114
10	New Mexico(NM) Range: $52 – $505	$242	$52	$505	1,300
11	Iowa(IA) Range: $73 – $424	$237	$73	$424	424
12	Vermont(VT) Range: $49 – $516	$236	$49	$516	346
13	North Carolina(NC) Range: $60 – $443	$233	$60	$443	2,569
14	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $67 – $446	$232	$67	$446	3,685
15	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $64 – $454	$230	$64	$454	1,801
16	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $54 – $454	$226	$54	$454	86
17	Alaska(AK) Range: $54 – $449	$224	$54	$449	58
18	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $49 – $454	$223	$49	$454	338
19	Colorado(CO) Range: $55 – $441	$218	$55	$441	1,721
20	Utah(UT) Range: $54 – $374	$212	$54	$374	419
21	California(CA) Range: $25 – $521	$210	$25	$521	10,242
22	Indiana(IN) Range: $54 – $411	$206	$54	$411	468
23	New York(NY) Range: $42 – $443	$205	$42	$443	32,246
24	Washington(WA) Range: $54 – $384	$203	$54	$384	3,423
25	Michigan(MI) Range: $57 – $356	$195	$57	$356	2,175
26	Illinois(IL) Range: $64 – $346	$192	$64	$346	7,047
27	Tennessee(TN) Range: $61 – $333	$188	$61	$333	2,701
28	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $50 – $389	$185	$50	$389	2,029
29	West Virginia(WV) Range: $64 – $317	$184	$64	$317	229
30	Virginia(VA) Range: $41 – $371	$182	$41	$371	2,895
31	Idaho(ID) Range: $54 – $321	$182	$54	$321	167
32	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $41 – $371	$181	$41	$371	7,333
33	Connecticut(CT) Range: $54 – $389	$179	$54	$389	915
34	Texas(TX) Range: $54 – $345	$178	$54	$345	11,171
35	South Carolina(SC) Range: $54 – $339	$178	$54	$339	1,384
36	Kansas(KS) Range: $59 – $324	$178	$59	$324	1,893
37	Oregon(OR) Range: $70 – $291	$177	$70	$291	758
38	South Dakota(SD) Range: $134 – $222	$175	$134	$222	321
39	Alabama(AL) Range: $48 – $332	$173	$48	$332	2,695
40	Delaware(DE) Range: $61 – $273	$170	$61	$273	205
41	Louisiana(LA) Range: $48 – $288	$169	$48	$288	1,374
42	Kentucky(KY) Range: $54 – $335	$169	$54	$335	473
43	Arkansas(AR) Range: $61 – $278	$164	$61	$278	149
44	Montana(MT) Range: $54 – $263	$163	$54	$263	108
45	Maryland(MD) Range: $24 – $335	$161	$24	$335	4,048
46	Mississippi(MS) Range: $48 – $307	$160	$48	$307	1,325
47	Missouri(MO) Range: $64 – $265	$159	$64	$265	5,432
48	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $51 – $298	$154	$51	$298	2,180
49	Ohio(OH) Range: $41 – $298	$154	$41	$298	4,434
50	Arizona(AZ) Range: $54 – $267	$145	$54	$267	6,691
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $297	$131	$35	$297	5,487

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visitin California