District of Columbia

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in District of Columbia

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

District of Columbia operates one of the nation's most concentrated healthcare markets, with nearly all medical services centered within the capital city's borders. Patients seeking a Chest CT Scan can expect negotiated insurance rates ranging from $49 to $454, with a median cost of $165 based on current transparency data. The district maintains 338 active Chest CT Scan providers serving both residents and the federal workforce, creating competitive options for patients throughout the region.

Average

$223

Median

$165

Lowest

$49

Highest

$454

Providers

338

National avg: $302District of Columbia: $223

26% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in District of Columbia?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$90	$310	$879	333
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$53	$201	$560	333
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$59	$191	$527	331
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$72	$266	$827	350

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 District of Columbia

District of Columbia's healthcare costs run approximately 20% above national averages, driven by the concentration of federal workers, high cost of living, and premium real estate costs for medical facilities. The compact geography creates unique market dynamics where all providers compete within a single urban area rather than across diverse regional markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Unlike most states, District of Columbia has no rural healthcare challenges, with all 338 Chest CT Scan providers located within the urban core. This concentration creates competitive pricing pressure while ensuring excellent access, though it also means limited geographic alternatives if patients seek lower-cost options outside the immediate area.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based imaging departments at major systems like MedStar and Inova typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead costs and academic affiliations. Independent imaging centers throughout the district often offer more competitive pricing, though the high cost of urban real estate keeps overall facility expenses elevated compared to suburban markets.

Insurance Market Competition in District of Columbia

The district's insurance market features strong competition between CareFirst BCBS, UHC, and Aetna, with federal employee health plans adding significant negotiating power. This competitive environment generally keeps negotiated rates reasonable, though the concentration of high-income federal workers allows providers to maintain premium pricing structures.

Physician Supply and Demand in District of Columbia

With 338 active Chest CT Scan providers serving a relatively small population, District of Columbia enjoys excellent physician availability compared to national averages. This healthy supply-to-demand ratio helps moderate pricing and reduces wait times, though the concentration of complex federal and diplomatic cases can create capacity constraints at specialized facilities.

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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 District of Columbia

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

Uninsured patients in District of Columbia typically pay between $49 and $454 for a Chest CT Scan, with a median cost around $165 based on current negotiated rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40%, potentially reducing costs to $100-300 for self-pay patients. Academic medical centers may charge premium rates while independent imaging centers often provide more affordable options.

Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, District of Columbia expanded Medicaid covers Chest CT Scans when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Patients typically need prior authorization for non-emergency imaging, and a referral from their primary care provider may be required. The district's Medicaid program provides comprehensive imaging benefits with minimal or no patient cost-sharing.

How do I find an affordable Chest CT Scan near me in District of Columbia?

Compare prices between hospital-based radiology departments and independent imaging centers, as costs can vary by $200 or more for the same procedure. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding-scale fees. Federal employees should also check if their health plan has preferred imaging providers with lower copays.

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

A Chest CT Scan is typically a single imaging procedure rather than multiple consultation visits, with the median cost around $165 regardless of whether it's your first or follow-up scan. However, additional radiologist interpretation fees or consultation visits with referring physicians may add $100-300 to the total cost. Follow-up scans for monitoring known conditions are usually priced the same as initial diagnostic imaging.

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

Yes, Chest CT Scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when prescribed by a physician for diagnostic purposes. District of Columbia's large federal workforce often has access to generous HSA/FSA contribution limits, making these accounts valuable for covering deductibles and copays. Keep all receipts and physician orders for reimbursement documentation.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person, many District of Columbia providers offer telemedicine consultations to review results, potentially saving $50-150 on follow-up visits. Federal employees particularly benefit from telehealth options that reduce time away from work for routine result discussions. Some imaging centers now provide virtual pre-visit consultations to streamline the in-person scanning process.

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