Louisiana

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Louisiana

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Louisiana's healthcare landscape reflects the state's unique geography, with provider concentration in New Orleans and Baton Rouge creating cost variations across parishes. Chest CT Scan visits in Louisiana show negotiated rates ranging from $48 to $288, with median costs around $171 based on transparency data from over 1,300 active providers. Patients across Louisiana can browse local Chest CT Scan specialists to compare costs and verify insurance coverage before scheduling.

Average

$169

Median

$171

Lowest

$48

Highest

$288

Providers

1,374

National avg: $302Louisiana: $169

44% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Louisiana?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$92	$548	$766	1,172
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$55	$327	$429	1,325
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$60	$356	$702	1,176
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$66	$201	$424	1,112

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 Louisiana

Louisiana's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above national averages, influenced by the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural parishes with limited imaging access. The concentration of major health systems in New Orleans and Baton Rouge creates pricing disparities compared to smaller community hospitals across the state.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Metropolitan areas like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport house the majority of Louisiana's advanced imaging centers, while rural parishes often require patients to travel significant distances for Chest CT Scan services. This geographic concentration drives up costs in urban areas due to higher demand and real estate expenses. Rural facilities, when available, may offer lower base rates but have limited scheduling availability.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Louisiana typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead costs and facility fees compared to independent radiology practices. Major health systems like Ochsner Health and LCMC Health operate numerous imaging centers across the state with standardized pricing that reflects their market position. Independent imaging centers often provide more competitive rates, especially for cash-paying patients.

Insurance Market Competition in Louisiana

BCBS Louisiana holds significant market share across the state, with UHC and Aetna providing additional coverage options primarily in urban markets. This concentration of market power among fewer insurers can limit negotiating leverage for providers, potentially affecting reimbursement rates. Rural areas may have even fewer insurer options, reducing competitive pressure on pricing for imaging services.

Physician Supply and Demand in Louisiana

Louisiana maintains over 1,300 active providers offering Chest CT Scan services, indicating reasonable supply relative to the state's population of 4.6 million residents. This provider density helps maintain competitive pricing in metro areas, though rural parishes continue to face imaging access challenges. Adequate provider supply in urban areas translates to shorter wait times and more competitive pricing for routine diagnostic imaging.

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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 Louisiana

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

Uninsured patients in Louisiana can expect to pay between $48 and $288 for a Chest CT Scan, with median costs around $171 based on negotiated rate data. These prices reflect what insurers actually pay providers, though self-pay rates may differ. Many facilities offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% for patients who pay at the time of service, potentially reducing costs below the median rate.

Does Louisiana Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Louisiana Medicaid covers medically necessary Chest CT Scan procedures when ordered by participating providers and properly authorized. Since Louisiana has not expanded Medicaid, coverage is limited to specific qualifying categories rather than all low-income adults. Patients should verify their eligibility and ensure their provider accepts Louisiana Medicaid before scheduling imaging services.

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

Compare costs between hospital-owned imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independents often charge 30-50% less for identical services. Look for facilities offering cash-pay discounts or payment plans if you're uninsured or have high deductible plans. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout Louisiana may also provide imaging services at reduced rates based on income.

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

For Chest CT Scan services, the imaging procedure cost remains consistent at $48-$288 regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study. However, if radiologist consultation is required, initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive nature of first-time evaluations. Most chest CT scans are performed without separate consultation fees, with results communicated through your referring physician.

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

Yes, Chest CT Scan procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when medically necessary and prescribed by a healthcare provider. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging study, any associated facility fees, and related medical expenses. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as the IRS may require proof of medical necessity for imaging services.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultations for reviewing results or discussing findings typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits. Louisiana providers increasingly offer telehealth follow-up appointments to discuss scan results, reducing overall care costs. Some radiologists provide virtual consultations for second opinions on imaging studies, though insurance coverage for these services varies by plan.

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