Colorado

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Colorado

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

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

National avg: $302Colorado: $218

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

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.

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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 Colorado

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

Uninsured patients in Colorado can expect to pay between $55 and $441 for a Chest CT Scan, with a median cost of $157 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, many facilities offer significant cash-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts by 20-50% for self-pay patients. Independent imaging centers typically charge less than hospital-based facilities, and costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas of the state.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, Colorado Medicaid covers medically necessary Chest CT Scans with minimal or no copay for eligible recipients. Colorado expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing broader coverage compared to non-expansion states. Prior authorization may be required for certain types of CT imaging, and patients must obtain services from Medicaid-participating facilities and providers.

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

Compare prices between hospital outpatient departments and independent imaging centers, as independents often charge significantly less for identical services. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding-scale fees. Momentary Lab can help you compare costs across multiple Colorado providers and verify your insurance coverage instantly.

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

Initial Chest CT Scan consultations typically involve more comprehensive evaluation and interpretation, potentially including comparison with previous imaging when available. Follow-up scans often focus on monitoring specific findings or treatment response, which may involve similar imaging costs but shorter interpretation time. The actual CT scan cost remains consistent regardless of whether it's initial or follow-up, with the primary cost driver being the complexity of the study ordered.

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

Yes, Chest CT Scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when prescribed by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these tax-advantaged accounts to pay for the imaging procedure, radiologist interpretation fees, and any related consultation costs. Keep all receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the scan for your account records.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up discussions about results. Many Colorado providers offer virtual consultations to review imaging findings, eliminating travel costs particularly beneficial for rural patients. Colorado's telemedicine-friendly regulations support remote consultations, though insurance coverage for virtual visits varies by plan and provider.

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