Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Colorado
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Colorado's high-altitude environment contributes to unique respiratory health challenges, making Chest CT Scan services particularly important for residents across the Rocky Mountain region. Patients typically pay between $55 and $441 for diagnostic imaging, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $157 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 1,700 active Chest CT Scan providers throughout Colorado, patients can browse all available options to find the most cost-effective care in their area.
Average
$218
Median
$157
Lowest
$55
Highest
$441
Providers
1,721
28% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Colorado?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $95 | $315 | $1,015 | 1,451 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $60 | $194 | $642 | 1,531 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $65 | $188 | $663 | 1,437 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $257 | $672 | 1,656 |
| DEXA Scan Bone density and body composition imaging | 77080 | $8 | $39 | $90 | 1,411 |
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.
Why Chest CT Scan Visit Costs Vary Across Colorado
Colorado's healthcare costs run approximately 7% above national averages, driven by the state's high cost of living and concentrated population along the Front Range urban corridor. The state's unique geography creates significant disparities between Denver's competitive imaging market and isolated mountain communities with limited provider options.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Denver metro area hosts the majority of Colorado's advanced imaging facilities, while rural counties often depend on critical access hospitals with basic CT capabilities. Mountain communities frequently require patient transport to larger cities for specialized chest imaging, adding travel costs to medical expenses. The Western Slope and Eastern Plains face particular challenges with imaging access and higher per-procedure costs.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers dominate Colorado's market through systems like UCHealth, Presbyterian/Saint Joseph, and SCL Health, typically charging premium rates. Independent radiology groups and freestanding imaging centers offer competitive alternatives, particularly in the Denver-Boulder corridor. High real estate and operational costs in Colorado's major cities contribute to elevated facility fees compared to neighboring states.
Insurance Market Competition in Colorado
Colorado's insurance landscape features robust competition between UHC, Anthem, and Kaiser, creating varied negotiated rate structures for imaging services. The state's competitive ASC (Ambulatory Surgery Center) market in Denver helps moderate costs through insurer negotiations. Regional insurers and health co-ops provide additional market competition, influencing overall pricing trends.
Physician Supply and Demand in Colorado
With over 1,700 active Chest CT Scan providers, Colorado maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces radiologist shortages in rural regions. The state's growing population and outdoor lifestyle-related injuries create steady demand for chest imaging services. Subspecialty radiologists concentrate in Denver and Colorado Springs, affecting availability and pricing for complex cases.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Chest CT Scan Costs in Colorado
What is the average cost of a Chest CT Scan visit in Colorado without insurance?
Does Colorado Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?
How do I find an affordable Chest CT Scan near me in Colorado?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Chest CT Scan visit in Colorado?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Chest CT Scan in Colorado?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 71260)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota Range: $118 – $7,881 | $2,723 |
| 2 | Minnesota Range: $80 – $7,881 | $2,711 |
| 3 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $863 | $363 |
| 4 | Georgia Range: $61 – $699 | $319 |
| 5 | Wyoming Range: $54 – $598 | $287 |
| 6 | Nevada Range: $80 – $453 | $272 |
| 7 | Maine Range: $93 – $439 | $262 |
| 8 | Nebraska Range: $108 – $415 | $246 |
| 9 | Hawaii Range: $67 – $348 | $243 |
| 10 | New Mexico Range: $52 – $505 | $242 |
| 11 | Iowa Range: $73 – $424 | $237 |
| 12 | Vermont Range: $49 – $516 | $236 |
| 13 | North Carolina Range: $60 – $443 | $233 |
| 14 | New Hampshire Range: $67 – $446 | $232 |
| 15 | Massachusetts Range: $64 – $454 | $230 |
| 16 | Rhode Island Range: $54 – $454 | $226 |
| 17 | Alaska Range: $54 – $449 | $224 |
| 18 | District of Columbia Range: $49 – $454 | $223 |
| 19 | Colorado Range: $55 – $441 | $218 |
| 20 | Utah Range: $54 – $374 | $212 |
| 21 | California Range: $25 – $521 | $210 |
| 22 | Indiana Range: $54 – $411 | $206 |
| 23 | New York Range: $42 – $443 | $205 |
| 24 | Washington Range: $54 – $384 | $203 |
| 25 | Michigan Range: $57 – $356 | $195 |
| 26 | Illinois Range: $64 – $346 | $192 |
| 27 | Tennessee Range: $61 – $333 | $188 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania Range: $50 – $389 | $185 |
| 29 | West Virginia Range: $64 – $317 | $184 |
| 30 | Virginia Range: $41 – $371 | $182 |
| 31 | Idaho Range: $54 – $321 | $182 |
| 32 | New Jersey Range: $41 – $371 | $181 |
| 33 | Connecticut Range: $54 – $389 | $179 |
| 34 | Texas Range: $54 – $345 | $178 |
| 35 | South Carolina Range: $54 – $339 | $178 |
| 36 | Kansas Range: $59 – $324 | $178 |
| 37 | Oregon Range: $70 – $291 | $177 |
| 38 | South Dakota Range: $134 – $222 | $175 |
| 39 | Alabama Range: $48 – $332 | $173 |
| 40 | Delaware Range: $61 – $273 | $170 |
| 41 | Louisiana Range: $48 – $288 | $169 |
| 42 | Kentucky Range: $54 – $335 | $169 |
| 43 | Arkansas Range: $61 – $278 | $164 |
| 44 | Montana Range: $54 – $263 | $163 |
| 45 | Maryland Range: $24 – $335 | $161 |
| 46 | Mississippi Range: $48 – $307 | $160 |
| 47 | Missouri Range: $64 – $265 | $159 |
| 48 | Oklahoma Range: $51 – $298 | $154 |
| 49 | Ohio Range: $41 – $298 | $154 |
| 50 | Arizona Range: $54 – $267 | $145 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $297 | $131 |