Iowa

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Iowa

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Iowa's healthcare landscape features lower-than-average specialty costs compared to coastal states, with Chest CT Scan services typically ranging from $73 to $424 based on negotiated insurance rates. The median cost for imaging services sits at $214, reflecting the state's mix of rural critical access hospitals and urban medical centers. With 424 active Chest CT Scan providers across Iowa's 99 counties, patients can browse options from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids to find affordable care.

Average

$237

Median

$214

Lowest

$73

Highest

$424

Providers

424

National avg: $302Iowa: $237

22% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Iowa?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$95	$511	$842	409
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$80	$291	$516	523
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$85	$253	$513	553
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$85	$361	$753	483

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 Iowa

Iowa's healthcare costs run approximately 9% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive insurance market dominated by regional players. The state's mix of urban medical centers in Des Moines and Iowa City alongside rural critical access hospitals creates significant cost variations across different regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Iowa's metropolitan areas like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City concentrate multiple imaging centers, creating competitive pricing, while rural counties may have only one or two providers within reasonable driving distance. This geographic disparity means rural patients may face higher costs due to limited competition, though some rural hospitals offer competitive cash-pay rates to attract volume. Travel costs to urban centers can offset savings for patients in Iowa's more remote agricultural regions.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Iowa typically charge 40-60% more than independent radiology clinics due to higher overhead costs and facility fees. Major health systems like UnityPoint Health and Mercy Health Network operate numerous imaging centers across Iowa, with pricing that reflects their market position and operational scale. Independent imaging centers often offer more competitive self-pay rates and flexible payment options compared to hospital-based facilities.

Insurance Market Competition in Iowa

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield maintains significant market share in Iowa alongside UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate insurer competition that helps negotiate reasonable imaging rates. The state's relatively concentrated insurance market means fewer competing networks, which can limit provider choices but also creates more predictable pricing structures. Rural areas may have even fewer insurer options, potentially affecting negotiated rates and patient costs.

Physician Supply and Demand in Iowa

With 424 active Chest CT Scan providers serving Iowa's 3.2 million residents, the state maintains adequate radiologist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution affects both pricing and access, with urban areas offering competitive rates due to provider density while rural areas may charge premium rates due to limited competition. Wait times for non-urgent chest imaging are generally reasonable in metropolitan areas but may extend longer in underserved rural counties.

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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 Iowa

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

Without insurance, chest CT scans in Iowa typically range from $73 to $424, with a median cost of $214 based on negotiated rates from 424 providers statewide. Self-pay patients can often negotiate discounts of 20-50% off standard rates, particularly at independent imaging centers. Many Iowa facilities offer payment plans or sliding scale fees for uninsured patients, making imaging more accessible than list prices suggest.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, Iowa Medicaid covers medically necessary chest CT scans when ordered by a physician, and the state's Medicaid expansion has broadened access to diagnostic imaging services. Prior authorization may be required depending on the clinical indication, and the imaging must be performed at a Medicaid-participating facility. Patients typically have minimal or no out-of-pocket costs for covered chest imaging services under Iowa Medicaid.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology clinics, as independents often charge 40-60% less for identical services. Ask about self-pay discounts, payment plans, or financial assistance programs if you're uninsured or have high deductibles. Community health centers and some rural hospitals in Iowa offer competitive cash-pay rates, and shopping around can save hundreds of dollars on chest imaging costs.

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

Chest CT scan costs remain consistent whether ordered during an initial consultation or follow-up visit, as imaging fees are separate from physician consultation charges. However, if you need both imaging and radiologist consultation, new patient visits typically cost more than established patient follow-ups. The CT scan itself costs between $73-424 regardless of when it's ordered, though facility fees may vary between providers.

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

Yes, medically necessary chest CT scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when ordered by a physician. You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for deductibles, copays, or the full cost of imaging services at any qualified Iowa provider. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes, as screening imaging without symptoms may not qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

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

While the chest CT scan itself must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultations for discussing results or follow-up care typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits. Many Iowa radiologists and pulmonologists offer telehealth appointments for initial consultations or result reviews, reducing overall care costs. Some rural patients find telemedicine particularly valuable for pre-imaging consultations and post-scan follow-ups, minimizing travel expenses while maintaining quality care.

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