Kentucky

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Kentucky

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Kentucky's healthcare market operates approximately 5% below national cost averages, making medical imaging more accessible across the Commonwealth's diverse geography. Patients seeking a Chest CT Scan typically pay between $54 and $335, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $117 based on negotiated insurance rates from 473 active providers. Kentucky maintains a robust network of imaging facilities spanning from Louisville's major medical centers to rural community hospitals, allowing patients to browse providers throughout the state for optimal cost and convenience.

Average

$169

Median

$117

Lowest

$54

Highest

$335

Providers

473

National avg: $302Kentucky: $169

44% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Kentucky?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$83	$270	$842	225
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$59	$176	$492	218
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$64	$167	$516	190
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$75	$211	$576	300

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 Kentucky

Kentucky's healthcare costs run approximately 5% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and rural-urban economic disparities. The Commonwealth's geography creates distinct cost patterns between the Louisville-Lexington metropolitan corridor and eastern Kentucky's mountainous regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Louisville and Lexington concentrate most of Kentucky's advanced imaging facilities, creating price competition that benefits urban patients. Rural counties in eastern and western Kentucky often rely on critical access hospitals with limited imaging capabilities, sometimes requiring patient travel to larger cities. This geographic disparity can increase total costs when factoring in travel time and expenses for rural residents.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned imaging centers in Kentucky typically charge 30-50% more than independent radiology practices due to higher administrative overhead and facility fees. Major health systems like Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare operate extensive networks but may carry premium pricing compared to standalone imaging centers. Rural hospitals often provide competitive pricing but may have older equipment or longer scheduling waits.

Insurance Market Competition in Kentucky

Three major insurers—Anthem, UHC, and Humana—dominate Kentucky's market, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's lack of a robust individual marketplace limits insurer competition in some regions, potentially leading to higher out-of-network costs. Employer-sponsored plans generally secure better rates than individual policies due to greater negotiating power.

Physician Supply and Demand in Kentucky

Kentucky's 473 active Chest CT Scan providers represent adequate coverage for the state's 4.5 million residents, though distribution heavily favors urban areas. This supply-demand balance keeps pricing competitive in metropolitan areas while potentially limiting options in rural regions. Shorter wait times in less populated areas may offset travel requirements for some patients seeking timely imaging services.

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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 Kentucky

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

Without insurance, Chest CT Scan costs in Kentucky range from $54 to $335, with a median cost of $117 based on negotiated rates from 473 providers statewide. Many imaging centers offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for uninsured patients, potentially reducing your final bill. Community health centers and rural hospitals often provide sliding-scale fees based on income, making chest imaging more affordable for qualifying patients.

Does Kentucky Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, Kentucky Medicaid covers medically necessary Chest CT Scans through the state's expanded Medicaid program. Prior authorization is typically required through your managed care organization before scheduling the scan. Coverage includes both the imaging procedure and radiologist interpretation, though you may need a referral from your primary care provider depending on your specific Medicaid plan.

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

Compare costs across multiple imaging centers in your area, as prices can vary significantly between hospital-owned facilities and independent radiology practices. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high deductible plan, and consider community health centers for income-based pricing. Rural facilities sometimes offer lower costs than urban centers, though you'll need to factor in travel time and expenses.

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

Chest CT Scan costs typically remain consistent at $54-$335 regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up, as the imaging procedure itself doesn't change. However, the radiologist consultation or referring physician visit may vary, with initial consultations sometimes costing more than follow-up appointments. Your total cost depends more on the imaging facility and your insurance coverage than on visit type.

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

Yes, Chest CT Scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in Kentucky. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging procedure, radiologist fees, and any related consultation costs. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as these accounts require proper record-keeping for medical expense reimbursements.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for pre-scan consultations and result discussions with your doctor. Many Kentucky providers offer virtual follow-up appointments to review CT results, eliminating travel time and potentially reducing consultation fees. Telehealth visits typically cost $50-150 less than in-person consultations, though insurance coverage for telemedicine 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