North Dakota

Cost of a Chest CT Scan Visit
in North Dakota

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Dakota's healthcare system, anchored by major health networks like Sanford Health and Essentia Health, serves a geographically dispersed population across 53 counties. Patients seeking a Chest CT Scan typically encounter negotiated rates ranging from $117.79 to $7,880.60, with a median cost of $171.00 based on Transparency in Coverage data. North Dakota maintains over 650 active Chest CT Scan providers across urban centers and rural communities, offering patients multiple options to browse all providers throughout the state.

Average

$2,723

Median

$171

Lowest

$118

Highest

$7,881

Providers

653

National avg: $302North Dakota: $2,723

803% above national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct chest compare to related procedures in North Dakota?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$221	$552	$3,100	649
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$83	$327	$327	646
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$145	$368	$2,450	649
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$82	$10,549	$10,549	486

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 North Dakota

North Dakota's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above national averages, reflecting the state's oil boom economy and rural service delivery challenges. The western Bakken region's population surge has strained imaging capacity while driving up facility operational costs statewide.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Red River Valley corridor containing Fargo and Grand Forks concentrates most of North Dakota's advanced imaging capabilities, while western counties rely heavily on mobile CT services and telemedicine interpretation. Rural residents often face 100+ mile drives to access high-end imaging, creating cost pressures through travel and lost productivity. This geographic disparity contributes significantly to regional price variations.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Sanford Health and Essentia Health operate most hospital-based imaging centers in North Dakota, typically charging higher facility fees than independent radiology practices. The state's harsh winters increase facility maintenance costs, particularly for sophisticated CT equipment requiring climate-controlled environments. Independent imaging centers in cities like Minot and Bismarck often provide more competitive pricing structures.

Insurance Market Competition in North Dakota

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota commands significant market share, followed by Sanford Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate insurer competition that keeps negotiated rates relatively stable. The limited number of major players means less aggressive rate competition compared to larger states. This market concentration allows imaging providers more pricing power, particularly in rural areas with fewer facility options.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Dakota

With over 650 active Chest CT Scan providers serving roughly 760,000 residents, North Dakota maintains adequate radiologist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This uneven distribution creates pricing disparities, with rural facilities often charging premium rates due to limited local competition. Telemedicine interpretation helps bridge geographic gaps but doesn't eliminate travel requirements for the actual imaging procedure.

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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 North Dakota

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

Uninsured patients in North Dakota face Chest CT Scan costs ranging from $117.79 to $7,880.60, with a median price of $171.00 based on negotiated rate data. Most patients pay closer to the median range, while complex studies or hospital-based facilities command higher rates. Many providers offer significant cash-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts substantially.

Does North Dakota Medicaid cover Chest CT Scan visits?

Yes, North Dakota expanded Medicaid in 2014, providing comprehensive coverage for medically necessary Chest CT Scans with minimal patient copays. Coverage requires a physician order and may need prior authorization depending on the clinical indication. Most imaging centers throughout the state accept North Dakota Medicaid, though availability may be limited in some rural areas.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology clinics, as independents often offer more competitive rates. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider facilities in smaller cities where overhead costs may be lower. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers sometimes provide imaging services at reduced rates.

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

Chest CT Scans are imaging procedures rather than consultation visits, so the cost remains consistent at $117.79 to $7,880.60 regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study. However, if you need a radiologist consultation to discuss results, initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up appointments. The imaging procedure itself maintains the same technical fee structure.

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

Yes, Chest CT Scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts when ordered by a physician. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging procedure, associated radiologist fees, and any required consultation visits. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes.

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

While the actual CT scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultation for results review can reduce follow-up costs by $50-150 compared to in-person visits. Many North Dakota radiologists offer telehealth options for discussing findings, which is particularly valuable for rural patients who would otherwise face long travel distances. The imaging procedure cost remains unchanged regardless of how results are communicated.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$131