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Maryland

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in Maryland

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maryland's hospital rate-setting system provides unique cost transparency for medical imaging, with Chest CT Scan procedures showing clear price variations across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. Based on negotiated insurance rates, patients typically pay between $24 and $335 for a Chest CT Scan, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $124. With over 4,000 active imaging providers throughout Maryland, patients can browse all available options to find the most cost-effective care in their area.

Average

$161

Median

$124

Lowest

$24

Highest

$335

Providers

4,048

National avg: $302Maryland: $161

47% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in Maryland?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$46$271$7374,016
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$26$172$4574,019
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$29$177$4474,003
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$36$204$5944,071

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 71260CT 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.

Why Chest CT Scan Visit Costs Vary Across Maryland

Maryland's healthcare costs run approximately 13% above the national average, driven by the state's affluent demographics and concentration of academic medical centers. The state's unique hospital rate-setting system creates more predictable pricing compared to other markets, though significant variations still exist between urban and rural areas.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Baltimore-Washington corridor offers abundant imaging options with competitive pricing, while Maryland's Eastern Shore and Western counties have fewer providers and potentially higher costs. Rural areas may require patients to travel to larger cities for specialized imaging, adding transportation costs to the total expense. Provider density in suburban areas like Montgomery and Howard counties falls between these extremes.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Academic medical centers like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland often charge premium rates due to their research missions and advanced equipment. Independent imaging centers typically offer the most competitive pricing, while hospital-owned outpatient facilities fall somewhere in between. Maryland's major health systems including MedStar and Adventist HealthCare operate extensive imaging networks with varying cost structures.

Insurance Market Competition in Maryland

CareFirst BCBS dominates Maryland's individual and group markets, followed by UHC and Aetna, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's rate-setting authority for hospitals adds another layer of cost regulation not found in most other markets. Employer-sponsored plans often have better negotiated rates than individual market plans due to greater purchasing power.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maryland

With over 4,000 active imaging providers, Maryland maintains adequate radiologist supply relative to its population, helping keep costs competitive. The concentration of providers in the Baltimore-Washington metro area creates favorable supply-demand dynamics for patients in these regions. Wait times are typically shorter and pricing more competitive compared to rural areas with limited provider options.

JP

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 Maryland

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

Uninsured patients in Maryland typically pay between $24 and $335 for a Chest CT Scan, with a median cost of $124 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many facilities offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% for upfront payment. Independent imaging centers usually charge less than hospital-based facilities for the same procedure.

Does Maryland Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, Maryland expanded Medicaid covers medically necessary chest CT scans with proper physician referral and prior authorization when required. Coverage includes both diagnostic scans for symptoms and preventive screening for qualifying high-risk patients. Patients typically have minimal or no out-of-pocket costs for covered procedures.

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

Compare prices between independent imaging centers, which often offer the lowest costs, and hospital-based facilities. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers for additional savings. Maryland's rate-setting system helps ensure more predictable pricing across different facilities.

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

Chest CT scans are diagnostic procedures with consistent pricing regardless of whether it's your first or follow-up imaging study. The radiologist interpretation fee and facility fee remain the same at $24-$335 range. However, the ordering physician's consultation fees may vary between new patient visits and established patient follow-ups.

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

Yes, chest CT scans are qualified medical expenses eligible for HSA and FSA reimbursement when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. Keep all receipts and documentation from your Maryland imaging provider for tax purposes. Both the imaging procedure and radiologist interpretation fees are covered expenses.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telehealth consultations can reduce costs for pre-imaging consultations and results discussions. Many Maryland radiologists and referring physicians offer virtual follow-up appointments to review results. This can eliminate travel time and reduce overall healthcare 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

RankStateAverage
1North Dakota
Range: $118$7,881
$2,723
2Minnesota
Range: $80$7,881
$2,711
3Wisconsin
Range: $73$863
$363
4Georgia
Range: $61$699
$319
5Wyoming
Range: $54$598
$287
6Nevada
Range: $80$453
$272
7Maine
Range: $93$439
$262
8Nebraska
Range: $108$415
$246
9Hawaii
Range: $67$348
$243
10New Mexico
Range: $52$505
$242
11Iowa
Range: $73$424
$237
12Vermont
Range: $49$516
$236
13North Carolina
Range: $60$443
$233
14New Hampshire
Range: $67$446
$232
15Massachusetts
Range: $64$454
$230
16Rhode Island
Range: $54$454
$226
17Alaska
Range: $54$449
$224
18District of Columbia
Range: $49$454
$223
19Colorado
Range: $55$441
$218
20Utah
Range: $54$374
$212
21California
Range: $25$521
$210
22Indiana
Range: $54$411
$206
23New York
Range: $42$443
$205
24Washington
Range: $54$384
$203
25Michigan
Range: $57$356
$195
26Illinois
Range: $64$346
$192
27Tennessee
Range: $61$333
$188
28Pennsylvania
Range: $50$389
$185
29West Virginia
Range: $64$317
$184
30Virginia
Range: $41$371
$182
31Idaho
Range: $54$321
$182
32New Jersey
Range: $41$371
$181
33Connecticut
Range: $54$389
$179
34Texas
Range: $54$345
$178
35South Carolina
Range: $54$339
$178
36Kansas
Range: $59$324
$178
37Oregon
Range: $70$291
$177
38South Dakota
Range: $134$222
$175
39Alabama
Range: $48$332
$173
40Delaware
Range: $61$273
$170
41Louisiana
Range: $48$288
$169
42Kentucky
Range: $54$335
$169
43Arkansas
Range: $61$278
$164
44Montana
Range: $54$263
$163
45Maryland
Range: $24$335
$161
46Mississippi
Range: $48$307
$160
47Missouri
Range: $64$265
$159
48Oklahoma
Range: $51$298
$154
49Ohio
Range: $41$298
$154
50Arizona
Range: $54$267
$145
51Florida
Range: $35$297
$131
CT Chest in Other States